Stop Slicing: Master Your Golf Swing Today

Learn how to stop slicing and coming over the top in your golf swing with simple, effective tips from Chuck Quinton.

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Understanding the Over the Top Swing Flaw

Welcome to another installment of our beginner's guide to golf. In this article, we will tackle one of the most frustrating swing flaws that many golfers face: coming over the top. This issue can lead to slices and poor shots, making the game more difficult than it needs to be.

What Does 'Coming Over the Top' Mean?

When golfers refer to coming over the top, they describe a motion where the club shaft moves away from its ideal swing plane. Imagine a straight line extending from the shaft down to the ball; when a golfer comes over the top, their swing starts to work left rather than following that line.

This swing path results in the clubface being open at impact, which causes the ball to spin in a way that leads to slicing—resulting in what many refer to as a 'banana ball.' This is particularly frustrating for beginners who are trying to achieve straight shots.

Identifying the Cause of the Flaw

The primary cause of coming over the top is the dominance of the right side of the body during the downswing. As you reach the top of your swing, if your right arm takes over, it can easily manipulate the angle and pitch of the club shaft, leading to that over-the-top motion.

To illustrate this, try swinging with just your right arm. You’ll notice it’s quite easy to create that over-the-top movement. However, if you switch to using only your left arm, you’ll find it much harder to replicate that same action. This highlights the need for a balanced approach using your body rather than just your arms.

Shifting Your Focus to Body Movement

To combat this flawed motion, it’s essential to engage your body in the downswing. By utilizing your body correctly, you can bring the club down in a way that keeps it on the correct swing plane. This makes it nearly impossible for you to come over the top.

One effective method is to focus on using your lower body and torso to initiate the downswing rather than relying on your arms. This shift in focus will help you maintain control over the club and prevent it from swinging left across the ball.

Drills to Help You Stop Coming Over the Top

To reinforce the correct movement patterns, consider incorporating some specific drills into your practice routine. Here’s a simple drill to get you started:

Left-Hand-Only Drill: Take your driver and swing it using only your left hand. This will help you feel how difficult it is to come over the top when you rely solely on your left side.
Body Movement Drill: Practice your downswing by focusing on your hips and torso. As you start your downswing, initiate the movement with your lower body, allowing your arms to follow naturally.

Continuing to practice these drills will help reinforce the proper mechanics and eliminate the tendency to come over the top.

Conclusion

By understanding the mechanics behind coming over the top and focusing on using your body for the downswing, you can greatly improve your swing and reduce slicing. Remember, it’s all about maintaining the proper swing plane and allowing your body to lead the way.

Key Takeaways

Coming over the top leads to slices and poor shots.
The right side of the body often dominates the downswing, causing this flaw.
Engaging your body rather than just your arms can prevent coming over the top.
Practice drills can reinforce proper mechanics and improve your swing.

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