Overcoming an over-the-top move - Brief Article

Golf Digest, July, 2000 by Jim Goergen

Corey Carroll, a 13-year-old 6-handicapper from St. Simons Island, Ga., was an inconsistent ball-striker and driver because of an over-the-top swing.

1. Up and away

Corey tended to mis-hit and slice shots because he lifted his hands and rotated the clubface open. We call this the worst move in golf. It leads to an over-the-top, outside-in, slice-prone downswing almost every time.

2. The golfer has two faces

I want Corey to feel his hands staying down and in on the backswing, the butt end of the club closer to his right foot. The clubface should "look" at the ball going back.

3. Catch the plane

Corey's in great position here. The club is outside his hands, and the clubface is on the same angle as his spine-much more closed. His swing now stays on plane, and he's been striping it.