How to Stop Coming Over the Top Using 3 Simple Training Aids

You know that sinking feeling when you step up to the tee, take a mighty swing, and watch your ball slice into the trees? Again. If you're tired of that banana ball ruining your scorecard and your confidence, you're probably dealing with the most common swing fault in golf: coming over the top.

But here's the good news – you don't need expensive lessons or a complete swing overhaul to fix this problem. With just three simple training aids that cost less than a round at your local course, you can start hitting straighter, more powerful shots that'll have your buddies asking what you've been working on.

What Is "Coming Over the Top" and Why Does It Ruin Your Golf Game?

Coming over the top happens when your club approaches the ball from outside the target line on your downswing. Think of it like chopping wood – you're bringing the club down steep and across the ball instead of sweeping through it smoothly.

This creates an over the top golf swing that causes three major problems:

The Slice: Your clubface is open relative to your swing path, sending the ball curving right (for right-handed golfers) into trouble.

Loss of Power: You're hitting down on the ball instead of through it, creating weak, high shots that come up short.

Inconsistent Contact: Sometimes you'll hit it thin, sometimes fat, but rarely will you make that sweet spot contact that feels so good.

According to the Titleist Performance Institute, over the top is "perhaps the most common swing fault among high handicap golfers" because it happens when you overuse your upper body on the downswing.

🎯 Signs You're Coming Over the Top

  • ⭐ Your shots start left and curve right (slice)
  • ⭐ Divots point left of your target
  • ⭐ You hit the ground before the ball often

The Root Cause: Why Your Body Wants to Swing Over the Top

Here's something most golfers don't realize: your body naturally wants to swing over the top. It feels powerful to throw your shoulders and arms at the ball from the top of your backswing. But this natural instinct is exactly what's sabotaging your game.

When you start your downswing with your upper body instead of your lower body, you throw the club "over the plane" and outside the target line. Research shows that this happens because of "too much wrist extension at the top of the backswing" combined with "downswing led by arms, not hips and legs."

The good news? How to stop over the top golf swing problems can be fixed with the right training aids that retrain your body to move correctly.

Training Aid #1: Alignment Sticks - Your $15 Swing Plane Trainer

Don't let the simplicity fool you – alignment sticks are the most versatile golf swing training aid you can buy. For the cost of a sleeve of golf balls, you get a tool that instantly shows you the correct swing plane.

The Setup: Place one alignment stick in the ground at a 45-degree angle, pointing from the ball toward your trail hip. This represents your ideal swing plane.

The Drill: Practice swinging so your club shaft stays parallel to the alignment stick throughout your backswing and downswing. If you come over the top, your club will cross above the stick on the way down.

Why It Works: This drill forces you to feel what an inside out swing feels like. You'll quickly realize how much you've been throwing the club over the top, and your body will start to self-correct.

I've been using this drill for years, and it never fails to get me back on track when I start spraying shots. The visual feedback is instant – you can see immediately when you're swinging correctly versus when you're falling back into old habits.

🎥 Visual Demonstration

This video demonstrates the techniques explained above

📺 Watch on YouTube →

Training Aid #2: Impact Bags - Feel the Proper Release

An impact bag might look like a simple sandbag, but it's one of the most effective ways to train the proper feeling of impact without coming over the top. These best golf training aids cost around $50 and last for years.

The Setup: Place the impact bag where a golf ball would be and practice hitting it with about 70% effort.

The Drill: Focus on hitting the bag with your hands ahead of the clubhead. You should feel like you're compressing the bag, not slapping it from the outside.

Why It Works: When you come over the top, you hit the bag with a glancing blow that feels weak and unstable. But when you swing from the inside, you'll feel solid, powerful contact that builds confidence in your swing.

The impact bag teaches you what correct golf swing contact should feel like. Many golfers have never experienced proper impact because they've always been hitting across the ball.

💡 Pro Tip for Impact Bag Training

  • ✅ Start with slow swings to build the feeling
  • ✅ Focus on your trail elbow staying close to your body
  • ✅ Feel your hands leading the clubhead into the bag

Training Aid #3: Swing Path Trainers - The Ultimate Over the Top Solution

This is where the magic happens. Swing path trainers are specifically designed to eliminate over the top swings by forcing you to approach the ball from the correct angle.

The Setup: Most swing path trainers have two markers – one inside the target line and one outside. You set them up so you have to swing between them to make contact with the ball.

The Drill: Practice hitting balls while avoiding both markers. If you come over the top, you'll hit the outside marker. If you swing too much from the inside, you'll hit the inside marker.

Why It Works: This creates what trainers call "constraint learning" – your body figures out the correct movement to avoid the obstacles. It's like learning to drive by staying between the lines on the road.

What I love about golf swing path training mats is that they work immediately. You can't cheat the system – either you swing on the correct path or you hit the markers. There's no ambiguity.

According to Performance Golf experts, the key is "positioning the arms more in front during the backswing" which "creates the perfect setup for a well-executed downswing."

How to Combine All Three Training Aids for Maximum Results

Here's the progression I recommend for using these golf training aids together:

Week 1-2: Alignment Stick Focus Spend 10 minutes each practice session working with the alignment stick. Focus only on keeping your club parallel to the stick throughout your swing.

Week 3-4: Add the Impact Bag Continue with alignment stick drills, but add 5-10 swings into the impact bag at the end of each session. Feel the difference between hitting across it and hitting through it.

Week 5+: Swing Path Trainer Integration Now add the swing path trainer to your routine. Start with slow swings, focusing on the path between the markers, then gradually increase your speed.

The key is patience. Consistent golf swing changes take time to stick. But most golfers see improvement in their ball flight within the first week of using these aids.

🏆 Weekly Practice Schedule

  • ⭐ 3 sessions per week, 20 minutes each
  • ⭐ Start every session with alignment stick drills
  • ⭐ End every session hitting real balls with new feel

Common Mistakes When Using Training Aids

Even with the best at home golf training aids, golfers make predictable mistakes that slow their progress:

Mistake #1: Swinging Too Hard Too Soon When you first start using these aids, swing at 50% speed. Your body needs to learn the new movement pattern before you can add power.

Mistake #2: Only Using One Aid Each training aid teaches a different aspect of the swing. The alignment stick teaches plane, the impact bag teaches contact, and the path trainer teaches coordination.

Mistake #3: Not Taking It to the Course Practice the feelings you learn with training aids, then recreate them on the course. Start with easy shots and gradually work up to your driver.

For more advanced training options, check out these best golf training aids for home practice that can complement your over the top fix.

What to Expect: Your Journey from Slicer to Straight Hitter

Here's the honest truth about fixing your over the top swing: it gets worse before it gets better. In the first week, you might hit some shots left as you overcorrect. That's normal and actually a good sign – it means you're changing your swing path.

Week 1: Shots might go left as you learn to swing from the inside Week 2-3: Contact becomes more solid, but direction is still inconsistent
Week 4-6: Straight shots become more frequent, distance increases Week 6+: New swing feels natural, bad habits fade away

The golfers who stick with this process see remarkable results. Instead of hoping their slice doesn't find the trees, they start aiming for specific targets and hitting them consistently.

🧠 Mental Game Tip

  • 💡 Trust the process when shots go left initially
  • 💡 Focus on swing path, not where the ball goes
  • 💡 Celebrate small improvements in contact quality

Advanced Training Aid Options for Serious Improvement

Once you've mastered the basics with these three training aids, you might want to explore more sophisticated options. 5 swing path training aids that actually work include some higher-tech solutions that provide even more feedback.

For budget-conscious golfers, there are 7 DIY swing plane trainers you can build for under $50 that work just as well as expensive commercial versions.

The most important thing is consistency. Whether you use a $20 alignment stick or a $200 electronic trainer, regular practice with proper feedback is what creates lasting change.

Troubleshooting: When Training Aids Aren't Working

Sometimes golfers use training aids correctly but still struggle with their bad golf swing. Here are the most common issues:

Problem: Still slicing despite using training aids Solution: Check your grip – you might need a stronger grip to help square the clubface

Problem: Hitting pulls instead of slices now
Solution: You're overcorrecting. Slow down your swing and focus on gradual path changes

Problem: Training aids work on the range but not on the course Solution: Practice your pre-shot routine with the same focus you use with training aids

Remember, changing your swing is like learning a new language – it takes repetition and patience. But unlike learning Spanish or French, fixing your golf swing has an immediate payoff every time you play.

Building Your Home Practice Setup

You don't need a fancy indoor simulator to work on your swing. With these golf swing training aids, you can create an effective practice setup in your garage, basement, or backyard.

Minimum Space Required: 8 feet long x 6 feet wide x 8 feet high Essential Equipment: Alignment sticks, impact bag, hitting mat Optional Additions: Mirror for visual feedback, net for ball containment

The key to effective home practice is consistency. Twenty minutes three times per week beats two hours once per week. Your body learns through repetition, not marathon sessions.

For more ideas on creating your practice space, explore these golf swing training accessories that can enhance your training.

Key Takeaways: Stop Coming Over the Top Forever

Fixing your over the top swing isn't about buying the most expensive training aids or spending hundreds on lessons. It's about understanding what causes the problem and using simple, effective tools to retrain your body.

The three training aids covered in this guide – alignment sticks, impact bags, and swing path trainers – address the root causes of coming over the top: improper swing plane, poor impact position, and incorrect swing path.

Most importantly, remember that this is a process. Your golf swing fundamentals took years to develop, so give yourself time to change them. But with consistent practice using these training aids, you'll transform from someone who dreads the tee shot into someone who looks forward to showing off their improved ball striking.

For a complete overview of training options, check out our guide to the golf swing trainer that best fits your needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fixing Over the Top Swings

What is the cheapest training aid to fix coming over the top? Alignment sticks are the most cost-effective training aid at around $15. They provide immediate visual feedback about your swing plane and are used by golfers at every level, including Tour professionals.

How long does it take to fix an over the top golf swing? Most golfers see improvement within 2-3 weeks of consistent practice with training aids. Complete swing change typically takes 6-8 weeks, but you'll notice better contact and reduced slicing much sooner.

Can I fix my over the top swing without lessons? Yes! Training aids provide the feedback you need to self-correct. Alignment sticks, impact bags, and swing path trainers teach proper swing mechanics through constraint learning and immediate feedback.

Why do I still slice even after using training aids? If you're still slicing, check your grip strength and clubface position at impact. Sometimes fixing swing path isn't enough – you also need to ensure the clubface is square to your target at impact.

What's the difference between coming over the top and casting? Coming over the top refers to swing path (outside-in), while casting refers to early release of wrist angles. Both create similar problems but require different fixes. Training aids help with both issues simultaneously.

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Essential Training Aids for Every Weekend Golfer