Transition & DownswingIntermediateFixes: Over the top

Right Knee to Right Field

Curated PGA Drill by Clay Ballard

Focus Area

Transition

Rep Guidance

3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps

Equipment

Golf club, alignment stick (optional)

Skill Level

Intermediate

Video walkthrough by Clay BallardWatch on YouTube ↗

Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)

Exaggerates the inside path to counteract the steep over-the-top habitual motion.

How to Perform the Drill

Follow these step-by-step instructions. Rehearse slowly to build proper motor patterns before adding full swing speed.

  1. 1

    Step 1

    From the top, drop hands vertically to your right pocket.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Visualize swinging out to 'Right Field' (1 o'clock).

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Feel the clubhead stay behind your hands.

  4. 4

    Step 4

    Rotate through to finish.

What Good Feels Like

Focus on smooth tempo and maintaining body connection through impact. Your body and club should move as a single synchronized unit.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Rushing transition before completing backswing or lunging upper body forward towards ball at impact. Keep movement controlled.

Swing Faults & Ball Flights Addressed

Over the topSlicePull

Comprehensive Guides Featuring This Drill

How to Fix a Golf Slice

A slice comes from an open clubface relative to an out-to-in swing path at impact. Fix it by neutralizing a weak grip, adding shoulder tilt at address, and shallowing your downswing so the club approaches from the inside instead of over the top: that squares the face to a path that no longer cuts across the ball.

Not sure this is your real fault?

Upload one swing video and our AI will identify whether over the top is actually what's costing you strokes, using physics-backed metrics and a practice plan matched to what it finds. Your first analysis is free.

Related Practice Drills

View All Drills ↗
The Dropping Drill (Justin Rose Feel) thumbnail

The Dropping Drill (Justin Rose Feel)

Intermediate · Over the top

View Guide
Single-Arm Drop Drill (Stop OTT) thumbnail

Single-Arm Drop Drill (Stop OTT)

Intermediate · Over the top

View Guide
Driver Head Behind Ball Drill (Delay Turn) thumbnail

Driver Head Behind Ball Drill (Delay Turn)

Advanced · Over the top

View Guide
Left Forearm Pronation (Steep to Shallow) thumbnail

Left Forearm Pronation (Steep to Shallow)

Advanced · Steep Downswing

View Guide