How to Stop Coming Over the Top in Your Golf Swing

AvatarByMatthew Woods How To Guides

Have you ever been told youre coming over the top in your golf swing? If so, youre not alone. This is a common problem that can lead to a variety of swing flaws and ultimately, poor shots.

In this article, well discuss what it means to come over the top, why its a problem, and what you can do to fix it. Well also provide some tips on how to improve your overall golf swing.

So if youre ready to stop coming over the top and start hitting better golf shots, read on!

Step Action Benefit
1 Keep your head down This will help you to maintain your spine angle and prevent you from coming over the top.
2 Swing your arms in front of your body This will help you to generate more power and prevent you from coming over the top.
3 Finish your swing with your arms extended This will help you to release the club properly and prevent you from coming over the top.

Coming over the top (COT) is a common swing fault that can lead to a variety of problems, including slices, hooks, and topped shots. It occurs when the clubhead swings over the top of the golfer’s hands at the top of the swing. This causes the clubface to be open at impact, which sends the ball on a high, left-to-right trajectory.

There are a number of causes of COT, including swinging too fast, over-rotating the shoulders, insufficient hip rotation, weak grip, and inflexible wrists. By addressing these causes, golfers can learn how to stop coming over the top and improve their swing.

Causes of Coming Over the Top

There are a number of causes of coming over the top, including:

  • Swinging too fast. One of the most common causes of COT is swinging too fast. When you swing too fast, you lose control of the clubhead and it tends to come over the top of your hands.
  • Over-rotating the shoulders. Another common cause of COT is over-rotating the shoulders. When you over-rotate your shoulders, your arms get out of sync with your body and the clubhead comes over the top.
  • Insufficient hip rotation. Insufficient hip rotation is another common cause of COT. When your hips don’t rotate enough, your body gets stuck behind the ball and the clubhead comes over the top.
  • Weak grip. A weak grip can also contribute to COT. When you have a weak grip, the clubface is more likely to be open at impact, which causes the ball to slice or hook.
  • Inflexible wrists. Inflexible wrists can also make it difficult to keep the clubhead from coming over the top. When your wrists are inflexible, you can’t rotate them through impact, which causes the clubhead to come over the top.

Symptoms of Coming Over the Top

There are a number of symptoms of coming over the top, including:

  • The clubhead passes the hands at the top of the swing.
  • The clubface is open at impact.
  • The ball starts out on a high, left-to-right trajectory.
  • The ball slices or hooks.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is likely that you are coming over the top. By addressing the causes of COT, you can learn how to stop coming over the top and improve your swing.

How to Stop Coming Over the Top

There are a number of things you can do to stop coming over the top, including:

  • Slow down your swing. One of the best ways to stop coming over the top is to slow down your swing. When you swing too fast, you lose control of the clubhead and it tends to come over the top.
  • Focus on rotating your hips. Another important tip is to focus on rotating your hips through the swing. When your hips rotate properly, your body will get out of the way of the clubhead and it will be less likely to come over the top.
  • Grip the club more firmly. A firm grip can also help to prevent the clubhead from coming over the top. When you have a firm grip, you are more likely to keep the clubface square at impact.
  • Stretch your wrists. If your wrists are inflexible, you can try stretching them before and after your round of golf. This will help to improve your range of motion and make it easier to rotate your wrists through impact.

By following these tips, you can learn how to stop coming over the top and improve your golf swing.

Coming over the top is a common swing fault that can lead to a variety of problems, including slices, hooks, and topped shots. However, by addressing the causes of COT, you can learn how to stop coming over the top and improve your swing.

Here are a few additional tips for stopping coming over the top:

  • Take a video of your swing and watch it back to see if you are coming over the top.
  • Practice your swing with a slow-motion swing trainer.
  • Work with a golf instructor to get personalized help with your swing.

With practice, you can learn how to stop coming over the top and improve your golf game.

3. Solutions for Coming Over the Top

If you’re struggling with a slice, you’re probably coming over the top in your golf swing. This is a common problem that can be fixed with some simple adjustments.

Here are a few solutions for coming over the top:

  • Slow down your swing. One of the biggest reasons golfers come over the top is because they’re swinging too fast. When you swing too fast, you’re more likely to lose control of the club and come across the ball. Try slowing down your swing and taking a few extra practice swings before you hit the ball.
  • Keep your shoulders from rotating too much. Another common cause of coming over the top is rotating your shoulders too much during the backswing. This causes the club to swing outside of your body, which can lead to a slice. Try keeping your shoulders more stable during the backswing and let your arms swing freely.
  • Increase your hip rotation. When you rotate your hips properly during the backswing, it helps to keep the club on plane. If your hips aren’t rotating enough, the club will be more likely to come over the top. Try focusing on rotating your hips as you swing back and through.
  • Strengthen your grip. A weak grip can also contribute to coming over the top. When you have a weak grip, you’re more likely to release the club early, which can cause the club to swing across the ball. Try strengthening your grip by squeezing the club tightly in your hands.
  • Stretch your wrists. Tight wrists can also make it difficult to keep the club on plane. Try stretching your wrists before you play to loosen them up.

4. Tips for Preventing Coming Over the Top

In addition to the solutions above, there are a few things you can do to prevent coming over the top in the first place.

  • Practice with a slow swing. One of the best ways to learn how to swing the club properly is to practice with a slow swing. This will help you develop a feel for the correct swing path and tempo.
  • Use a video camera to analyze your swing. Watching a video of your swing can help you identify any flaws in your technique. Once you know what you’re doing wrong, you can make the necessary adjustments to improve your swing.
  • Work with a golf instructor. If you’re struggling to correct your swing on your own, consider working with a golf instructor. A qualified instructor can help you identify the problems in your swing and develop a plan to fix them.

By following these tips, you can improve your swing and reduce the chances of coming over the top. This will help you hit more fairways and greens, and shoot lower scores.

Coming over the top is a common problem that can be fixed with some simple adjustments. By slowing down your swing, keeping your shoulders from rotating too much, increasing your hip rotation, strengthening your grip, and stretching your wrists, you can improve your swing and reduce the chances of coming over the top.

Additionally, practicing with a slow swing, using a video camera to analyze your swing, and working with a golf instructor can all help you correct your swing and improve your game.

Q: What is coming over the top in golf swing?

Coming over the top is a common swing fault that occurs when the golfer’s clubhead passes over the top of the golf ball on the downswing. This can cause the ball to slice or hook, and it can also lead to other problems such as a loss of power and accuracy.

Q: What causes coming over the top?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to coming over the top, including:

  • Incorrect grip: A grip that is too strong or too weak can cause the clubhead to come over the top.
  • Incorrect stance: A stance that is too wide or too narrow can also lead to coming over the top.
  • Incorrect swing plane: A swing plane that is too steep or too flat can cause the clubhead to come over the top.
  • Too much body rotation: Rotating the body too much on the backswing can cause the clubhead to come over the top on the downswing.
  • Not enough hip rotation: Not rotating the hips enough on the backswing can also cause the clubhead to come over the top on the downswing.

Q: How can I stop coming over the top?

There are a number of things you can do to stop coming over the top, including:

  • Adjust your grip: A grip that is too strong or too weak can cause the clubhead to come over the top. Try experimenting with different grips until you find one that feels comfortable and allows you to swing the club naturally.
  • Adjust your stance: A stance that is too wide or too narrow can also lead to coming over the top. Try widening or narrowing your stance until you find one that feels comfortable and allows you to swing the club on the correct plane.
  • Adjust your swing plane: A swing plane that is too steep or too flat can cause the clubhead to come over the top. Try working on your swing with a golf instructor or swing coach to help you develop a more consistent swing plane.
  • Slow down your swing: Trying to swing too fast can cause you to come over the top. Focus on swinging the club smoothly and in control.
  • Practice your swing: The best way to stop coming over the top is to practice your swing regularly. Try to get in at least 30 minutes of practice each day, and focus on making consistent, controlled swings.

Q: What are the consequences of coming over the top?

Coming over the top can have a number of negative consequences, including:

  • Loss of power: A swing that is out of control will not generate as much power as a swing that is on plane.
  • Accuracy problems: A swing that is out of control will be more likely to produce slices or hooks.
  • Injury risk: A swing that is out of control can increase the risk of injury, such as a wrist sprain or a back injury.

Q: How can I prevent coming over the top in the future?

Once you have corrected the swing flaws that are causing you to come over the top, it is important to work on preventing the problem from happening again. Here are a few tips:

  • Be aware of your swing: The first step to preventing any swing flaw is to be aware of when you are doing it. Pay attention to your swing during practice and during rounds of golf, and make adjustments as needed.
  • Work on your flexibility: Having good flexibility will help you to swing the club on the correct plane and avoid coming over the top. Try doing stretching exercises before and after each round of golf.
  • Get regular lessons: If you are struggling to correct your swing on your own, consider getting regular lessons from a golf instructor. A good instructor can help you identify the specific swing flaws that are causing you to come over the top and develop a plan to correct them.

    coming over the top in your golf swing is a common problem that can lead to a variety of other swing flaws. By understanding the causes of this problem and implementing the proper corrective measures, you can improve your swing and hit more consistent, accurate shots.

Here are the key takeaways from this article:

  • Coming over the top occurs when the clubhead swings outside of the target line on the downswing.
  • This can cause a variety of problems, including a slice, a hook, or a loss of power.
  • The most common causes of coming over the top are:
  • A weak grip
  • A lack of shoulder rotation
  • A forward-leaning posture
  • To correct this problem, you can:
  • Strengthen your grip
  • Improve your shoulder rotation
  • Stand more upright
  • With practice, you can learn to stop coming over the top and hit more consistent, accurate shots.

Author Profile

Matthew Woods
Matthew Woods
Hello, fellow golf enthusiasts! I’m Matthew Woods, the founder of GolfPGAChampionship.com.

My journey with golf is a story of passion, perseverance, and a little twist of fate. Growing up in the picturesque town of Charleston, South Carolina, I found myself captivated by golf, a fascination that was partly kindled by sharing a last name with the legendary Tiger Woods.

This platform is more than just a website; it’s a culmination of my life’s experiences in golf. Here, I share in-depth analyses of PGA championships, personal anecdotes from my golfing journey, and tips for golfers at all levels. My aim? To make golf accessible and enjoyable for everyone, from eager beginners to seasoned players.

GolfPGAChampionship.com is a testament to my belief that golf is not just a sport, but a journey filled with learning, challenges, and personal growth. I invite you to join me in this journey, to explore the beautiful game of golf through my eyes and experiences.

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