If you've ever struggled with coming over the top in your golf swing, you're not alone. It’s a common issue among amateur golfers, and it can wreak havoc on your accuracy and distance. Coming over the top happens when your arms take over, causing the club to swing from outside to inside, leading to those frustrating pull hooks or slices. Fortunately, a simple adjustment—flaring your rear foot—can make a world of difference in preventing this problem and improving your swing.
Why Coming Over the Top Happens
Many golfers fall into the trap of swinging over the top when their body rotation is restricted, particularly in the hips. This limited rotation forces the arms to take control, sending the club on an out-to-in path. To fix this, we need to focus on improving your hip turn, which will give your arms more room to stay deep on both the backswing and downswing, preventing that over-the-top move.
The Rear Foot Flare Drill
A straightforward way to increase your hip turn is to flare your rear foot slightly outward at address. By opening up the foot, you give your hips more freedom to rotate during the backswing. This deeper rotation helps your arms get into a better position, allowing for a smoother downswing from the inside.
Here’s how to practice the drill:
At setup, flare your rear foot out by about 20 to 30 degrees.
Focus on making a full, smooth hip turn during the backswing, feeling the increased depth in your arms.
On the downswing, keep your arms deep and resist the urge to throw them over the top. This will help you stay on the correct inside path.
For added feedback, videotape your swing from down the line. Compare how much deeper your hip turn is with the rear foot flared versus in your normal setup. This visual aid can help you better understand how this small adjustment positively impacts your swing plane.
The Benefits
Flaring your rear foot opens the door to a host of benefits:
Improved Hip Rotation: More rotation means more depth in your arms, which helps you avoid coming over the top.
Better Ball Striking: You’ll be able to hit the ball more squarely, leading to straighter, more powerful shots.
Consistency: Eliminating the over-the-top move can dramatically improve your consistency, making it easier to repeat the correct swing motion.
Additional Tips
Along with the rear foot flare drill, it’s important to focus on the correct downswing sequence. One mistake many golfers make is starting the downswing with their shoulders. To avoid this, keep your back to the target for as long as possible and start the downswing by dropping your hands, as this will help maintain the proper inside-out path.
A drill like the headcover drill can also be helpful. Place a headcover a few inches outside your ball at address. As you swing, focus on avoiding the headcover, which will naturally train you to approach the ball from the inside.
By combining these drills and focusing on improving your hip rotation, you’ll be well on your way to eliminating that dreaded over-the-top swing. With practice, you’ll enjoy straighter, more consistent shots that feel effortless and powerful
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