An over-the-top golf swing is one of the most common problems golfers face—and one of the most frustrating. If you struggle with slices, weak fades, or inconsistent contact, chances are your swing path is moving outside-to-in. The good news? You can fix an over-the-top swing by understanding and training the right angles and swing lines.

Let’s break it down in a simple, visual way that actually works.

What Is an Over-the-Top Swing?

An over-the-top swing happens when the club moves above the ideal swing plane during the transition from backswing to downswing. Instead of dropping into the correct slot, the club cuts across the ball from outside to inside.

Common signs include:

• Slices or pull-slices
• Pulls left of the target
• Weak contact with irons
• Divots pointing left of the target

This fault is more about geometry than strength—and that’s where angles and lines come in.

Why Angles & Lines Matter in Your Golf Swing

The golf swing is built on precise angles and directional lines. When these are correct, the club naturally travels on plane and delivers the face square to the ball.

Key concepts:

• Swing Plane Line – the path the club should follow
• Shoulder Line – influences swing direction
• Hip Line – controls rotation timing
• Club Shaft Angle – determines path and attack angle

Fix the lines, and the swing fixes itself.

Step 1: Check Your Shoulder Angle

One of the biggest causes of an over-the-top swing is level shoulders at address.

Correct setup:

• Lead shoulder slightly lower than trail shoulder
• Spine tilted away from the target
• Chest angled over the ball

This creates the proper downswing angle and prevents the shoulders from spinning open too early.

Visual cue: Draw a line across your shoulders—this line should tilt slightly upward toward your trail side.

Step 2: Fix the Transition Line

The transition from backswing to downswing is where over-the-top swings are born.

What goes wrong:

• Upper body starts first
• Club moves outside the target line
• Shaft gets steep

What to feel instead:

• Hands drop straight down
• Club shaft falls under the original backswing line
• Lower body initiates the downswing

Training line drill:
Place an alignment stick just outside the ball, angled slightly inside the target line. If your club hits it on the downswing, you’re coming over the top.

Step 3: Match Club Shaft Angle to Spine Angle

A powerful, on-plane downswing happens when the shaft angle mirrors your spine angle.

Key checkpoint at halfway down:

• Shaft pointing slightly inside the target line
• Hands in front of the trail thigh
• Clubhead behind the hands

This shallower angle eliminates the steep, chopping motion that causes slices.

Step 4: Control Your Hip Line

Over-the-top swings often come from hips that spin instead of shift.

Correct hip movement:

• Slight lateral shift toward the target
• Then rotation
• Hips open, chest stays closed longer

Line concept:
Draw a vertical line from your lead hip at address. During transition, your hip should move slightly toward that line—not spin away from it.

Step 5: Train the Inside-Out Swing Line

To fully fix an over-the-top move, you must retrain your swing path.

Simple drill:

• Place a headcover or towel just outside the target line
• Swing without hitting it
• Focus on swinging to right field (for right-handed golfers)

This reinforces the correct inside-to-square club path.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Trying to fix the swing only with arms
• Over-rotating shoulders too early
• Forcing an inside path without fixing setup angles
• Ignoring transition mechanics

Remember: Angles create paths. Paths create ball flight.

Final Thoughts

Fixing an over-the-top swing doesn’t require rebuilding your entire motion. By focusing on proper angles and clean swing lines, you allow the club to move naturally on plane—reducing slices, improving contact, and adding effortless power.

Train smart. Use visual lines. Let geometry do the work.
⛳ A better swing starts with better angles.

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