What Does Over the Top Mean?
An over the top move is a common swing pattern where the hands and club move outward at the start of the downswing and approach the ball from outside the ideal swing plane.
Instead of the club returning on plane, the hands and shaft move over the top of the original plane lines. This often creates an out-to-in club path, which can lead to slices, pulls, and weak contact.
How to Analyze an Over the Top Move in HandyGolf
Use a down-the-line swing video so you can clearly see the club shaft, shoulders, hands, and ball.
1. Open Your Swing Video
Load your swing in the HandyGolf app and pause the video at the address position.
2. Select the Line Drawing Tool
Choose the line drawing tool so you can create swing plane reference lines.
3. Draw the First Swing Plane Line
Draw one line along the club shaft at address. This gives you a lower swing plane reference.
4. Draw the Second Swing Plane Line
Draw a second line from the shoulders down toward the golf ball. Adjust it as needed so it creates a clear upper plane reference.
Together, these two lines form a swing plane corridor, or a visual guide for where the hands and club should ideally move during the downswing.
5. Scroll to the Top of the Backswing
Use the app controls to play or scrub the swing until the club reaches the top of the backswing.
6. Watch the Start of the Downswing
Slowly move through the downswing and watch where the hands and club shaft travel in relation to the two plane lines.
What to Look For
Signs of an Over the Top Swing
You are likely coming over the top if:
- The hands move outside the upper swing plane line early in the downswing.
- The shaft also moves outside or above the plane corridor.
- The club approaches the ball from outside the target line.
- The hands and club stay outside the plane for much of the downswing.
This is the move that commonly promotes a slice.
Signs of an On-Plane Downswing
A more on-plane downswing will show:
- The hands staying between the two swing plane lines.
- The club shaft remaining within the swing plane corridor.
- The club returning to the ball without moving over the upper plane line.
Handy Golf Practice Tip
When comparing swings, draw the same shaft line and shoulder-to-ball line each time. This makes it easier to see whether your downswing is moving over the plane or staying within the ideal corridor.
