As a PGA Teaching Professional, I see golfers throw the club over the top all the time. Over the top means that the club head never approaches the ball from the inside, but instead, cuts across the ball from outside and then moves inside too quickly. When a golf club cuts across the ball, generally the ball will fly more sporadic and out of control. The golfer doesn’t have much control and therefore not much consistency. The ball flight generally starts left of the intended target line and can curve right or left depending on if the club face was open or closed at the moment of impact.
Nearly every instructor around the world is going to watch their students swing paths. The swing path or plane is a primary determining factor on where the ball is going to start once the club head makes impact. The other determining factor is the angle of the face. If the club head approaches the ball from outside to inside it’s nearly impossible for the ball to start on its intended target line.
Generally, when a PGA Teaching Professional sees an over the top golf swing, the first intentions are to help the student work the club on a better plane. If the primary swing flaw is over the top, it’s important to get the club swinging on a better path.
With my years of watching PGA and LPGA Tour Professionals, it’s evident that the best players in the world do not swing the club in a slicing or cutting action. Tour Professionals are going to attack the ball from the best possible approach angle to compress the ball. There are numerous drills that can help, but I’ve found that the “Over & Under Drill” is probably the best drill for gradual improvement and encouragement. However, it takes a swing coach or instructor to help with angling the student in the proper direction.
Here are a couple quick tips pertaining to improving plane line:
• First, find out if you attack the ball from the outside
• If you’re over the top, buy a swimming pool noodle
• Find a friend to help you operate the swimming pool noodle
• Swing the club above the noodle going up
• Swing the club under the noodle coming down
This is a drill you can do while swinging the club and hitting the ball. It’s the best drill to encourage your body and mind to get used to swinging the club on a plane from the inside. If you are in the Raleigh / Durham area and would like to schedule a golf lesson, please contact me through his website at: www.grexagolf.com
All the best in golf,
Greg Greksa
PGA Professional
Director of Instruction
Grexa Golf Raleigh
Cleveland / Srixon Staff
greg@grexagolf.com
www.grexagolf.com
Check out my blogs at www.golfshadow.com
