Over-the-Top Move: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

Few swing faults are more common—or more frustrating—than the over-the-top move.

Many golfers recognize the result immediately after impact. The ball starts left of the target and slices back to the right, or it pulls sharply left with very little distance.

But what many golfers don’t realize is that the over-the-top move usually begins before the downswing even starts.

This swing fault occurs when the club moves outside the intended swing path during the transition from backswing to downswing. Instead of dropping slightly behind the body and approaching the ball from the inside, the club moves outward toward the ball and across the target line.

When this happens, the club often approaches the ball on a steep path from outside to inside.

The result is typically a slice, pull, or weak contact.

While many golfers try to fix this issue by adjusting their hands or clubface, the real causes usually come from sequencing and body movement during the transition.

In this lesson, we’ll break down why the over-the-top move happens and show you several simple adjustments and drills that can help you deliver the club on a better path.

What the Over-the-Top Move Looks Like

The over-the-top move happens during the transition from the backswing to the downswing when the club moves outward away from the body and across the target line.

Instead of the club dropping slightly behind the golfer and approaching the ball from the inside, it travels above the intended swing plane and cuts across the ball from outside to inside.

From a down-the-line camera view, this movement is usually very easy to spot. As the downswing begins, the hands and club move toward the golf ball instead of dropping downward first.

This causes the shaft to steepen and the clubhead to move outside the target line.

When the club approaches the ball on this outside-to-inside path, several ball flight patterns can occur depending on the clubface position.

Pull

If the clubface is square relative to the swing path but left of the target, the ball often starts left and continues traveling left.

Slice

If the clubface is open relative to the swing path, the ball will start left of the target and curve back to the right.

Weak Contact

Because the club is traveling steeply across the ball, many golfers also lose compression and distance. The swing often feels forced and lacks the efficient power seen in well-sequenced swings.

Understanding what this move looks like is important because it helps golfers identify the issue when reviewing their swing on video.

Once the movement is recognized, it becomes much easier to address the underlying causes.

Why the Over-the-Top Move Happens

The over-the-top move rarely happens intentionally. In most cases, it develops because of poor sequencing during the transition from backswing to downswing.

When the body parts move in the wrong order, the club can easily move outside the correct swing path.

Cause #1: Starting the Downswing with the Shoulders

One of the most common causes of the over-the-top move is starting the downswing with the shoulders.

When the shoulders rotate aggressively toward the target at the beginning of the downswing, the upper body pulls the arms and club outward. This causes the shaft to steepen and the clubhead to move across the target line.

This movement places the club on an outside-to-inside path before it ever reaches the ball.

Cause #2: No Pressure Shift to the Lead Side

Another common cause is failing to shift pressure into the lead foot during the transition.

When pressure stays on the trail side too long, the body struggles to start the downswing from the ground up. As a result, the arms and shoulders often take over to begin the swing.

This upper-body-dominated movement frequently leads to the club moving over the top.

Cause #3: Inside Takeaway During the Backswing

The over-the-top move can also be a reaction to a takeaway that moves too far inside during the backswing.

When the club gets stuck behind the body early in the swing, golfers often feel the need to lift or reroute the club during the downswing just to reach the ball. This rerouting motion can cause the club to move over the top.

Cause #4: Trying to Hit the Ball Too Hard

Sometimes golfers swing over the top simply because they are trying to generate power too aggressively.

When players attempt to hit the ball harder, they often pull the club down quickly with their arms and shoulders. This sudden movement disrupts the natural sequencing of the swing and sends the club outside the intended path.

Understanding these causes helps golfers realize that the over-the-top move is usually a symptom of other swing issues, rather than the original problem itself.

How the Over-the-Top Move Affects Ball Flight

When the club approaches the ball from an outside-to-inside path, it dramatically changes how the ball launches and curves through the air.

The over-the-top move usually produces ball flights that start left of the target and either stay left or curve to the right depending on the clubface position.

Ball Flight #1: Pull Shot

If the clubface is square relative to the swing path but the swing path itself is traveling left of the target, the ball will typically start left and continue traveling left.

This shot often feels solid but finishes far from the intended target.

Ball Flight #2: Pull Slice

One of the most common ball flights caused by the over-the-top move is the pull slice.

In this situation, the swing path is traveling left of the target while the clubface is slightly open relative to that path. The ball starts left of the target and then curves dramatically to the right.

This is the classic slice that many golfers struggle with.

Ball Flight #3: Weak, Glancing Contact

Because the club is traveling across the ball rather than through it, many golfers lose compression and distance.

The swing often feels steep and cutting across the ball, which leads to shots that fly shorter and lack solid contact.

The over-the-top move also tends to produce inconsistent strikes, including thin shots and occasional heel contact.

When the club approaches the ball from the inside instead of outside, the golfer can strike the ball with a more efficient path that produces stronger and more consistent ball flight.

Understanding how the over-the-top move affects ball flight helps golfers diagnose the issue more quickly during a round or practice session.

Resource: How to Score in the 70’s Golf Training Plan

Drills to Fix the Over-the-Top Move

Fixing the over-the-top move requires training the body to start the downswing with the correct sequence and club path. The goal is to allow the club to drop slightly behind the body while the lower body begins rotating toward the target.

These drills help golfers develop the proper feel for delivering the club from the inside.

Headcover Drop Drill

The headcover drill helps train the club to approach the ball from a more inside path.

Place a headcover or small object just outside the golf ball and slightly behind it. The object should sit a few inches outside the target line.

When you swing, your goal is to strike the golf ball without hitting the headcover.

If the club moves over the top, it will collide with the object before reaching the ball. This drill encourages the club to approach from the inside.

Pump Drill

The pump drill helps golfers feel the correct transition into the downswing.

Make a backswing to the top and slowly start the downswing. When your hands reach about waist height, stop and return the club to the top.

Repeat this motion two or three times before swinging through the ball.

During the drill, focus on allowing the arms to drop slightly while the hips begin turning toward the target. This helps train the club to shallow instead of becoming steeper.

Step-Through Drill

The step-through drill helps golfers learn how the lower body should lead the downswing.

Set up to the ball normally and make a backswing. As the club reaches the top, step slightly toward the target with your lead foot before swinging through.

This exaggerates the pressure shift toward the lead side and helps prevent the arms from starting the downswing first.

With consistent practice, these drills can help train the correct sequence and club path needed to eliminate the over-the-top move.

Conclusion: Let the Club Drop Before It Moves Forward

The over-the-top move is one of the most common swing faults in golf, but it’s usually the result of improper sequencing during the transition.

When the shoulders or arms start the downswing first, the club tends to move outward and across the target line. This steep path makes it difficult to strike the ball consistently and often produces slices, pulls, and weak contact.

The key to eliminating this swing fault is learning to start the downswing from the ground up.

When pressure shifts into the lead foot and the hips begin rotating toward the target, the arms can naturally drop into position. This allows the club to approach the ball from the inside instead of cutting across it.

Practicing drills like the headcover drill, pump drill, and step-through drill can help train the proper sequence and club path.

Once the club begins dropping before it moves forward, many golfers notice immediate improvements in both contact and ball flight.

By focusing on sequencing and allowing the club to fall into the correct position during the transition, you can eliminate the over-the-top move and build a more powerful, repeatable golf swing.

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Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor