such a great drill. I came across this back in the summer of 2012, and have
been coming back to watch it a couple of times per year ever since. cheers
zach.?
I am really getting a lot out of you’re tips. I’ve been playing golf for a
long time and am a short person. (5’6″) As a old person, I still am
flexible and can hit my clubs well. So I want common sense golf tips and
drills. Thank you.?
as the saying goes – the penny has finally dropped. i now get it. the fo
and dtl views show us how it is done. presumably, the hip bump should start
at the same time as the club drop. it is also clear that it is the drop
that will effortlessly allow the lag to be maintained because the hands are
maintained well ahead of the shaft. thank you so much.?
Good drill. I used to have a MAJOR over-the-top swing. I was swinging out
of my shoes then, averaging 124mph solid contact (driver) and maxing at
136mph (fastest recorded and the ball going dead straight). Problem was I
didn’t hit it straight often! Yeah, it went right…way right…way often.
Hitting balata balls back then, dear Lord, the side spin… I killed
everyone I played with off the tee 30-50 yards, and I always came in dead
last in the 4-some. I would always hear afterwards, ‘Man, if you
straighten out your swing, you’ll be tough!’ Frustrating to hear, but I
gracefully knew they were dead right — I sucked.
I had my swing professionally recorded on VHS that summer and saw how
pronounced it was, and why I was losing shots violently to the right. MAJOR
over-the-top! The drill he gave me was to get in my normal stance before
the ball. Next he had me open up my right foot so it was pointing as far
right as possible, but maintaining balance. Then, drop my right foot back
a few inches. So in essence, a super-exaggerated Draw stance giving me the
sensation of swinging inside-out. Then I hit 9i half shots, getting the
ball the move right to left in the air. I would gradually move my right
foot closer to normal stance as I got better and new muscle memory
developed. Then I would place an old shaft in the ground as a reminder
when taking full swings later on. The cool thing was seeing my shots start
to move right to left on full shots with my regular stance; something that
never happened before. I did this for an entire summer in 1998 at age 19,
and it completely erased my over-the-top swing. I also studied magazines
(Lol yes, I only had a 14.4kbps modem for dial up, so I still preferred
magazines then!) for better course-management strategies, green-to-tee
perspectives, and learning to hit consistent distances that filled the
sweet zone for my mid-iron/approach game. With my changed swing, renewed
enthusiasm and more practice/play, I went from a 36 handicap in 1998 to a 5
handicap in 2002 and shooting 70 (-2) for the first time early that year on
a 6700 yrd course.
Presently I’m a 13 handicap (life/work intervened) today, but the swing is
still the same and repeatable…just a bit slower (119 mph avg.), but a bit
more balanced. I played a quick 9 with a friend last month and shot 37
(3400 yards 9 holes), all while bogeying the final 3 holes (I was 2 and got
WAY ahead of myself, lol). I only play a handful of times a year now
because of scheduling. Point is not to boast (hard to brag while choking
the final 3 holes!), but that building muscle memory the right way allowed
my swing to stay in tact years down the road – even when you don’t play as
much.
I wish I could thank that instructor from 1998 in Ohio, but I sadly forgot
his name. So I’ll thank this instructor and his video for helping golfers
with over-the-top golf swings get better!?
Thanks for getting me back on the path. I had discovered this on my own
recently experimenting using a video camera. I’ve been trying everything to
get rid of a steep shaft angle starting down. So one day I kept my right
arm as limp as a rag dolls, and I couldn’t believe what I saw.
Unfortunately it is such a foreign and insecure feeling having no control
of the club that I soon began reverting. This lesson has confirmed that I
was on the right path and that I just have to give it more time. It is not
at all an easy change, but I think it will be worth it. Thanks for posting
this lesson.?
Great drill, thanks for sharing! ?
There are some great points here and very well presented. When you help a
golfer change their downswing from ‘over the top’ to ‘under plane’ they
immediately hit the ball a long way to right because they are not used to
delivering the club from that inside , shallower path and having to recover
the lag. The result is that they normally then revert back to the over the
top move in order to square the face. This is the body ‘self organising’.
This self organisation is a very useful skill to get the ball around the
course but it will block progress in a swing change. The question then is;
should we coach the player to be able to unload the lag and square the face
before we change the delivery path drastically? How do you approach this
one Zach??
Zach, this is the best feeling and drill I have come across to fix the
dreaded over the top. Thanks for posting $1 +ChangeTip?
Your head is still and looking directly at the ball; exactly what I don’t
do. As soon as I begin backswing I lose track of where the club is and take
my eyes off the ball. Hence forth , shit swing and result.?
worst drill ever seen the girl come over the top because of her very poor
back swing comes inside and flares club open thats what causes her over the
top only a good drill for low handicap players you must fix back swing
first?
This is good. I struggle with wanting to do too much .I .would like more
videos and elaboration on this though?
its hard to do because in my head its telling me im not going to square the
face in time, so then my arms and hands take over and i shank or slice it?
wow. Thanks! I get this feeling from the tee with my 7 wood. I can hit a
high soft draw almost every time on demand. VERY powerful swing for me. I
can get that feeling with my 3 wood as well. The irons not so much. Driver
not so much. I still go over the top with irons…especially short irons.
Going to work on that feeling with all my irons now. Thank you.?
I come over the top all the time, oh wait i’m on the wrong site here.?
Thanks Zach. This is one of only two instructions that I have ever seen
that really helped me understand what the downswing is supposed to feel
like. Over a number of years I have read many books and articles, as well
as watched videos trying to understand the golf swing. This is (hopefully)
one of the final pieces in the puzzle.?
Zach; Great drill, great explanation. I’ve been playing this game for 50
years and this is the first time I’ve seen a simple drill to work the “over
the top” move. I have subscribed and would like more information as to
where you give your instruction.?
perfect for me and my straight pulls; I’ll give it a try…free lesson from
a top 25 instructor…priceless.?
Why thank you sir!
I know there are hundreds of other videos that explain the same thing but
this is the one for me. This is the one I relate to and ultimately get it I
have struggled for 4-5 years now coming over the top and very steep.
As in burying my driver in the ground numerous times, all sorts of trick
shot hateful mishits. I was around a 11/12 handicap before all this was
taking place, not great but was contending in my flight. Frustrated to no
end and was always claiming quits but I never could because I love the
game. This drill helped my 1st time out, I was striking the ball off the
tee again.
Thank you again, this really has me relaxed and enjoying my game again.
Swinging free and into the slot instantly.?
Great instruction, demonstration and exercise. I will try this tomorrow!!!?
I drop clubs all the time?
OMG, I video taped myself and tried to undo that dropping I saw because I
thought it looked weird although the guys I normally play with have stated
numerous amount of times that I have the best swing the have ever seen.
WOW. I can’t believe I am that close to playing my best golf ever. THANKS?
Is that a Ping? Smh?
Personally I have to agree with others I cannot see any use in this drill
The downswing MUST…..MUST be initiated by moving the lower body first.
The left hip slide is best for the beginner. Then the body has to turn
letting the arms follow without unlocking the wrist hinge. Release the
wrist hinge naturally. If your a beginner watch the slow motion videos and
go through this routine as slowly as you can over and over again until your
muscle memory has it engrained.?
such a great drill. I came across this back in the summer of 2012, and have
been coming back to watch it a couple of times per year ever since. cheers
zach.?
I am really getting a lot out of you’re tips. I’ve been playing golf for a
long time and am a short person. (5’6″) As a old person, I still am
flexible and can hit my clubs well. So I want common sense golf tips and
drills. Thank you.?
as the saying goes – the penny has finally dropped. i now get it. the fo
and dtl views show us how it is done. presumably, the hip bump should start
at the same time as the club drop. it is also clear that it is the drop
that will effortlessly allow the lag to be maintained because the hands are
maintained well ahead of the shaft. thank you so much.?
Good drill. I used to have a MAJOR over-the-top swing. I was swinging out
of my shoes then, averaging 124mph solid contact (driver) and maxing at
136mph (fastest recorded and the ball going dead straight). Problem was I
didn’t hit it straight often! Yeah, it went right…way right…way often.
Hitting balata balls back then, dear Lord, the side spin… I killed
everyone I played with off the tee 30-50 yards, and I always came in dead
last in the 4-some. I would always hear afterwards, ‘Man, if you
straighten out your swing, you’ll be tough!’ Frustrating to hear, but I
gracefully knew they were dead right — I sucked.
I had my swing professionally recorded on VHS that summer and saw how
pronounced it was, and why I was losing shots violently to the right. MAJOR
over-the-top! The drill he gave me was to get in my normal stance before
the ball. Next he had me open up my right foot so it was pointing as far
right as possible, but maintaining balance. Then, drop my right foot back
a few inches. So in essence, a super-exaggerated Draw stance giving me the
sensation of swinging inside-out. Then I hit 9i half shots, getting the
ball the move right to left in the air. I would gradually move my right
foot closer to normal stance as I got better and new muscle memory
developed. Then I would place an old shaft in the ground as a reminder
when taking full swings later on. The cool thing was seeing my shots start
to move right to left on full shots with my regular stance; something that
never happened before. I did this for an entire summer in 1998 at age 19,
and it completely erased my over-the-top swing. I also studied magazines
(Lol yes, I only had a 14.4kbps modem for dial up, so I still preferred
magazines then!) for better course-management strategies, green-to-tee
perspectives, and learning to hit consistent distances that filled the
sweet zone for my mid-iron/approach game. With my changed swing, renewed
enthusiasm and more practice/play, I went from a 36 handicap in 1998 to a 5
handicap in 2002 and shooting 70 (-2) for the first time early that year on
a 6700 yrd course.
Presently I’m a 13 handicap (life/work intervened) today, but the swing is
still the same and repeatable…just a bit slower (119 mph avg.), but a bit
more balanced. I played a quick 9 with a friend last month and shot 37
(3400 yards 9 holes), all while bogeying the final 3 holes (I was 2 and got
WAY ahead of myself, lol). I only play a handful of times a year now
because of scheduling. Point is not to boast (hard to brag while choking
the final 3 holes!), but that building muscle memory the right way allowed
my swing to stay in tact years down the road – even when you don’t play as
much.
I wish I could thank that instructor from 1998 in Ohio, but I sadly forgot
his name. So I’ll thank this instructor and his video for helping golfers
with over-the-top golf swings get better!?
Thanks for getting me back on the path. I had discovered this on my own
recently experimenting using a video camera. I’ve been trying everything to
get rid of a steep shaft angle starting down. So one day I kept my right
arm as limp as a rag dolls, and I couldn’t believe what I saw.
Unfortunately it is such a foreign and insecure feeling having no control
of the club that I soon began reverting. This lesson has confirmed that I
was on the right path and that I just have to give it more time. It is not
at all an easy change, but I think it will be worth it. Thanks for posting
this lesson.?
Great drill, thanks for sharing! ?
There are some great points here and very well presented. When you help a
golfer change their downswing from ‘over the top’ to ‘under plane’ they
immediately hit the ball a long way to right because they are not used to
delivering the club from that inside , shallower path and having to recover
the lag. The result is that they normally then revert back to the over the
top move in order to square the face. This is the body ‘self organising’.
This self organisation is a very useful skill to get the ball around the
course but it will block progress in a swing change. The question then is;
should we coach the player to be able to unload the lag and square the face
before we change the delivery path drastically? How do you approach this
one Zach??
Zach, this is the best feeling and drill I have come across to fix the
dreaded over the top. Thanks for posting $1 +ChangeTip?
Your head is still and looking directly at the ball; exactly what I don’t
do. As soon as I begin backswing I lose track of where the club is and take
my eyes off the ball. Hence forth , shit swing and result.?
worst drill ever seen the girl come over the top because of her very poor
back swing comes inside and flares club open thats what causes her over the
top only a good drill for low handicap players you must fix back swing
first?
This is good. I struggle with wanting to do too much .I .would like more
videos and elaboration on this though?
its hard to do because in my head its telling me im not going to square the
face in time, so then my arms and hands take over and i shank or slice it?
wow. Thanks! I get this feeling from the tee with my 7 wood. I can hit a
high soft draw almost every time on demand. VERY powerful swing for me. I
can get that feeling with my 3 wood as well. The irons not so much. Driver
not so much. I still go over the top with irons…especially short irons.
Going to work on that feeling with all my irons now. Thank you.?
I come over the top all the time, oh wait i’m on the wrong site here.?
Thanks Zach. This is one of only two instructions that I have ever seen
that really helped me understand what the downswing is supposed to feel
like. Over a number of years I have read many books and articles, as well
as watched videos trying to understand the golf swing. This is (hopefully)
one of the final pieces in the puzzle.?
Zach; Great drill, great explanation. I’ve been playing this game for 50
years and this is the first time I’ve seen a simple drill to work the “over
the top” move. I have subscribed and would like more information as to
where you give your instruction.?
perfect for me and my straight pulls; I’ll give it a try…free lesson from
a top 25 instructor…priceless.?
Why thank you sir!
I know there are hundreds of other videos that explain the same thing but
this is the one for me. This is the one I relate to and ultimately get it I
have struggled for 4-5 years now coming over the top and very steep.
As in burying my driver in the ground numerous times, all sorts of trick
shot hateful mishits. I was around a 11/12 handicap before all this was
taking place, not great but was contending in my flight. Frustrated to no
end and was always claiming quits but I never could because I love the
game. This drill helped my 1st time out, I was striking the ball off the
tee again.
Thank you again, this really has me relaxed and enjoying my game again.
Swinging free and into the slot instantly.?
Great instruction, demonstration and exercise. I will try this tomorrow!!!?
I drop clubs all the time?
OMG, I video taped myself and tried to undo that dropping I saw because I
thought it looked weird although the guys I normally play with have stated
numerous amount of times that I have the best swing the have ever seen.
WOW. I can’t believe I am that close to playing my best golf ever. THANKS?
Is that a Ping? Smh?
Personally I have to agree with others I cannot see any use in this drill
The downswing MUST…..MUST be initiated by moving the lower body first.
The left hip slide is best for the beginner. Then the body has to turn
letting the arms follow without unlocking the wrist hinge. Release the
wrist hinge naturally. If your a beginner watch the slow motion videos and
go through this routine as slowly as you can over and over again until your
muscle memory has it engrained.?