‘Feel’ Drill To Cure Over The Top
Robin Symes
One of the most common faults is “Over the Top.” It creates an out-to-in swing path, causing that hated slice, which so many players suffer from. Perhaps you are a slicer. If so, you probably know that you are coming over the top...
Perhaps you are a slicer. If so, you probably know that you are coming over the top. Your friends have told you, maybe you have had lessons, and a coach has told you, but you still cannot stop doing it. It really frustrates you. You will have had lessons, read articles, and you probably understand the mechanics of how not to come over the top. The lower body must start the downswing. Don’t move the shoulders first. Right shoulders moves down, and underneath. Create some separation lower body to upper body, release the club etc… I guess these all sound familiar.
It is great to understand the mechanics, but it is all useless if you cannot develop a feeling for the movement. Having a feel for what to do, is more important than understanding the mechanics.
The exercise I am about to show you is solely to develop a feel for not coming over the top. I want you to forget the mechanics, develop a feel, and repeat the feel when you hit shots.
- The next time you are practicing at your range, take a handful of balls.
- Hold a ball in your right hand, taking your address as normal, and line up to your target.
- Now, simply practice the motion of throwing a ball down your target line in an underarm throwing motion. Repeat it as often as you want until you can do it, and most importantly, have a feel for the movement.
To throw the ball towards your target, your mechanics will automatically be improving. You will be moving your lower body first. Your right shoulder will be moving underneath. Your arm will swing down on plane, and you will release your arm towards the target – the opposite to moving outside in the downswing, and then swinging your arms to the left of the target in the follow through.
As I have said, forget the mechanics. Focus on the feel. Throw 5 to 6 balls, and then pick up your club, repeating the feel. Keep doing it until you match the 2 motions, the throw and the shot.
Robin Symes
Originally from Northern Ireland, Robin has been involved with the game of golf for over 20 years. As an amateur golfer, Robin won at all levels, county, national, and international. Most notably, Robin was instrumental in helping Ireland to win the European Team Championship – also representing Great Britain & Ireland.
Following his amateur career, Robin pursed his Professional career playing in mini tours and regional tours with invitations on the European Tour. While competing, Robin was achieving his PGA Class A status, and it was during this time he developed a great interest in teaching. This passion to teach lead him to begin his new career in 2003, working for David Leadbetter in England, and in 2006, transferring to a newly opened David Leadbetter Academy in South Korea, in which he spent 3 years as Senior Instructor.
In 2009, together with a top Korean coach, Robin opened his own academy, “RNY Golf Institute” and has become a regular instructor for Golf Digest.
If you haven’t heard of Robin yet, you have most likely heard of a few of the world class professionals that he provides instruction and consultation to. The 2012 U.S. Women’s Open Champion, NaYeon Choi, is just one of the many talented tour pros that have been working with Robin for several years now.
While Robin’s main clients are aspiring tour professional, he also loves helping all levels of players. SwingStation’s goal is just that, a tool to pass Robin’s teaching on to players from anywhere in the world, helping them improve and increase their enjoyment of the game.