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GETTING RID OF OVER-THE-TOP
Many issues can contribute to an “over-the-top” swing path. Regardless of where the shot ends up after it is done flying, shots that start out going directly left they are “pulled” off line and will result in a less than favorable end result most of the time. This outcome is a direct result of a swing path that travels from outside your intended target line and moves toward the inside of your intended target line through impact.
The Angled Three Ball Drill is a great way to improve the desired inside-the-line direction of your swing path toward impact. It will help you redirect the path of your swing without having to “think” about too many things during your practice time. Place 3 golf balls at an angle (approximately 45 degrees) across your target line. Make sure that the golf balls are spaced far enough apart that any one of the balls could be struck without hitting one of the other balls. The first ball should be about 1.5 inches in front and below the 2nd golf ball which rests directly on the target line. The third golf ball should be about 1.5 inches behind and above the 2nd golf ball (see diagram). Focus on hitting only the middle ball during the execution of this drill. Begin this drill with small slower swings until you are successful in contacting only the middle ball. Please note that if you are doing this drill correctly your small shots should result in a slight push toward the right. If you are doing this drill incorrectly you will end up striking one or potentially both of the outside balls during the swing. If that is the case continue until you are consistently contacting only the middle ball in the desired direction. Once you are able to repeat this several times at a smaller/slower speed, begin increasing the size and speed of your swing until you reach your full motion. You will be surprised at how easy it is to “control” exactly how your ball flies. It is empowering to clear up some of the “mystery” behind the game and actually hit the ball where you want. If you would like assistance controlling your ball flight, contact the Professional staff at the Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club by calling the Golf Shop at 302-368-6640 ext 3.
Archived Golf Tips:
11/09 – Extended Club Drill |
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For those of you that experience a golf ball flight that typically starts off
going left (right handed golfers), you have probably heard someone tell you that
you were “over-the-top”. Some of us may think of the term “over-the-top” in
its meaning that something is even better than the best. For example, the
ride in a new sports car is “over-the-top”. But more often
than not when your golf swing is “over-the-top,” your shots don’t
resemble a smooth ride in new sports car. We have all wrestled with the
control of our golf swing from time to time, but let’s end the agony an “over-the-top” swing
can cause right now. 
When this happens not only is the direction of the shot effected, but
the power transferred to the ball can be considerably less. A steeper “over-the-top” swing
path usually is a lot less productive at maximizing the amount of compression
your swing delivers to the golf ball thru impact, thus resulting in generally
weaker, shorter and directionally-challenged shots. The most effective
way to maximize this compression and begin the golf ball moving in a better
line toward the target is to assure that your club is moving toward the
golf ball at impact from a direction inside the target line. This
natural inside “Arc of Approach” is critical to getting the
best direction and distance results from your golf shots. 