4 easy drills to stop coming over the top in the golf swing

One of the most common swing faults among amateur golfers is known as "over the top", writes Tyler Heal of Adept Golf.

This particular swing fault occurs during the downswing when the club returns steeper and outside of the intended swing plane.

The club approaches the ball from and out to in path. The path causes the ball to start left of the intended target and stays straight if the club face is square or slices if the club face is open.

The "over the top" swing characteristic is easily recognised with a video of your swing and drawing two simple lines.

First, draw a line at address through the club and your body known as the shaft plane. Next, when the lead arm is parallel to the ground, draw a line through the club. Play the video and watch the downswing. The ideal swing allows the club to pass between the two lines.

If the club returns outside the second line, the club is approaching from an excessively steep angle known as "over the top". 

Let's take a closer look at four simple drills that will help you eradicate coming over the top in the golf swing...

#1 - CREATE A STEEPER BACKSWING

One of the most common traits of really good ball strikers is a perfectly equal swing plane or slightly steeper backswing and slightly flatter downswing. 

Amateurs routinely create a flat, inside takeaway and complicate their swing with a steep downswing, almost assuring they create the dreaded "over the top" swing fault. 

Although the likes of Jim Furyk and Ryan Moore have unusual swings, they are essentially own anti "over the top" swings with their excessively steep backswings and flat downswings.

Creating a consistent backswing and downswing with a similar path will help eliminate the over the top move in your swing.