“Over the top” is a phrase used to describe any excessive or unnecessary behavior. We can all identify with examples of over the top behavior in the age of social media and Hollywood excess. The way people dress, their language, their attempts at getting attention, et.al. Even the presentation of things like birthday cakes, parties, etc. Over the top even describes excessive or unnecessary movement. You guessed it. We will now hear about the over the top golf swing.

All joking aside (for the moment)… Do you have a problem with coming over the top in your golf swing? A lot of golfers do. I spent many years coming over the top. It was a compensatory move to offset a backswing that was ‘over the line’ and a ball position that was forward in my stance. My college coach planted this seed without watering and fertilizing it.

Eventually, I compensated for being ‘over the line’ by moving my ball position backward so I could keep from coming over the top to manage impact. I adapted pretty effectively, and was able to strike my ball perfectly solid. At that time, my ball flight was a big, sweeping hook with every club. I think I was even hooking when I went to the bathroom. The only problem was that I couldn’t play on a tree-lined golf course. It was ugly.

Then, one day in South Florida, I was hitting balls on the range after work and puring it as Marvin Glauber walked up to watch. I’ll never forget Marvin Glauber for his friendship that day – even though we weren’t not friends, per se. Anyway, I started shelling my three wood into the trees right of the range when Marvin walked behind me.

There must have been something said that needed a response, because I remember Marv saying, “Your club is pointed forty yards right of your target.” I called “Bull___t!?” So he said, “Okay. WhaddoIknow”. I felt a bit bad for snapping, at first. Then I went to get a camera to tape my swing. What I found out was that he was exactly right. The next day, my good golf friend Marvin got an apology.

That was the last day I practiced without awareness of where the shaft of the club pointed at the top of my swing. But, it was the first day I realized how important positioning the club was in my golf swing. When anyone asks me what determines path and start line, I will always say “Where the club points at the top”. I say this because impact is incidental to Movement. Movement is incidental to set up. Set Up is incidental to philosophy. How could impact be responsible for anything?

Good friends like Marvin are such a blessing. They spare no words to provide the help we need to figure out just why we are so messed up. Without them, how else could we improve ourselves? Their words and wishes, hopes and fears, can help to guide us through good times and bad. Sometimes they can even help our golf swing with their observations. Tell me, do any of these helpful comments sound familiar?

“Take two weeks off and quit, brother.” “You are so far over the top, you might as well pretend that thing in your hands is a magic wand.” “If you were any more over the top, you could make a practice swing and your actual swing from the same stance.” “Hey Lefty! Your club shaft is pointed in the trees to the left at the top and you’re getting mad because you can’t hit it straight. Are you mental?” Ahh, friends.

Start cultvating an awareness of where your golf club points at the top of your swing. You may have to move your ball position to adapt to a swing that is on plane, but it will be worth it. Then, your over the top move will be history… unless you bring it out for nostalgia, exhibition, or a laugh. Enjoy.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy

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