Introduction

golf swing over the top drills to fix slicing forever is a targeted approach for golfers who consistently push or slice the ball with an out-to-in downswing. The over-the-top move is one of the most common swing faults among amateurs and produces weak fades, inconsistent distance, and higher scores. Fixing it delivers straighter tee shots, more ball speed transfer, and better scoring.

This article explains what an over-the-top slice is, why it happens for typical amateur setups, and provides specific drills with rep counts, timelines, and measurable checkpoints. You will get a 6-week practice plan, tools and pricing for on-course diagnostics, and a checklist to use on the range. These drills prioritize path correction, shallow release, and rotation sequencing so you practice exactly the movements that create a neutral-to-inside attack and square clubface at impact.

Read on for drills with step-by-step instructions, examples using common training aids, and an implementation schedule you can start this week.

Understanding the Over-the-Top Slice:

What, Why, and Key Signs

What the over-the-top slice is: an over-the-top swing is when the club is delivered from an outside-to-inside path on the downswing, producing an open clubface relative to the swing path at impact. That combination creates sidespin that sends the ball to the right for a right-handed golfer (left for a lefty).

Why it happens for most amateurs:

• Early lateral move or sway of the upper body away from the target during transition.
• Excessive upper-body rotation relative to the lower body at the top (upper-body predominant).
• A steep, vertical downswing plane that drops the hands outside the target line.
• Weak release: hands fail to rotate enough through impact, leaving face open.
• Poor inside takeaway or clubface control from address.

Key signs to diagnose:

• Ball curvature: strong right curve for right-handed golfers with little draw component.
• Contact pattern: toe or heel strikes combined with glancing blows indicate path/face mismatch.
• Video cues: at the top, club shaft points left of the target line (for righties), then on the way down the club comes over the top and the hands are outside the line at impact.

Measurable targets to set:

• Aim to move swing path from -6 to +2 degrees (negative indicates out-to-in) toward a neutral-to-in-to-out path.
• Reduce clubface-open-at-impact from +8-12 degrees toward 0 to +4 degrees.
• Increase impact efficiency: ball speed up 1-3 mph and carry up 5-15 yards as path/face improve.

When to address this:

• Fix early in the practice cycle; once ingrained, the over-the-top pattern becomes hard to change.
• Prioritize before adding clubhead speed drills; speed amplifies the slice.
• Use drills and video feedback for immediate correction, then transfer to on-course play.

Golf Swing Over the Top Drills to Fix Slicing Forever

Below are the core drills that specifically address the over-the-top move. Each drill includes purpose, setup, reps, measurable checkpoints, and progression timeline.

1. Inside-Path Rope Drill

Purpose: Teach an inside-to-out swing path while preventing an outside takeaway.

Setup: Place a rope or alignment stick on the ground along your target line and a second stick 6 inches inside the ball aimed at the target. Start with short wedge shots.

How to do it:

• Take a normal setup with the ball slightly back of center for a wedge.
• On your takeaway, feel the clubhead trace outside the ball behind the rope, then drop the clubhead so on the downswing the path moves under the inside stick.

Reps and timeline:

• 5 sets of 10 swings, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (150 swings/week).

Checkpoints:

• Impact tape shows more center strikes.
• Ball flight begins to reduce the rightward curvature within 2 weeks.

2. Split-Hand Throw Drill

Purpose: Promote early hand-rotation and shallow the downswing plane to close the face relative to path.

Setup: Grip the club with left hand at normal position and right hand 3-4 inches lower on the grip. Use a mid-iron.

How to do it:

• Make small 3/4 swings focusing on letting the right hand “throw” through impact, feeling the forearms rotate.

Reps and timeline:

• 4 sets of 12 throws, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (144 throws/week).

Checkpoints:

• Track shots with launch monitor: side spin decreases and dispersion tightens after 10-14 sessions.

3. Headcover/Impact Bag Feel Drill

Purpose: Train inside release and prevent outside-to-in strike.

Setup: Place a headcover or small impact bag just outside the ball on the target line.

How to do it:

• On the downswing, feel the handle pass over the headcover instead of hitting it; this encourages an inside path.

Reps and timeline:

• 6 sets of 8 impacts, 2 times per week for 6 weeks (96 reps/week).

Checkpoints:

• Reduced glancing blows; impact bag compression indicates more square contact.

4. Left Foot Back Alignment Drill (Lower Body Lead)

Purpose: Force hip clearance and lower-body lead to prevent over-the-top swing initiated by upper body.

Setup: Wedge or short iron. Pull left foot back 3 inches from normal setup (right-handed golfer).

How to do it:

• Make a controlled three-quarter swing and feel the lower body initiate the downswing by rotating hips toward the target before the hands drop.

Reps and timeline:

• 5 sets of 10 swings, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (150 swings/week).

Checkpoints:

• Video shows hips starting downswing 0.1-0.2 seconds before hands.

5. Gate Drill with Two Tees (Face Square Cue)

Purpose: Reinforce square face at impact with inside path.

Setup: Two tees in the ground forming a narrow gate just outside the ball that the clubhead must pass through.

How to do it:

• Use short swings. The club should pass through the gate after impact; if you clip a tee you are coming over the top or have an open face.

Reps and timeline:

• 5 sets of 8 swings, 3 times per week for 6 weeks (120 reps/week).

Checkpoints:

• Less tee-contact over time; ball flight becomes straighter with less curvature.

Progression: Combine drills in a weekly rotation. Week 1-2 emphasize inside-path rope and headcover drills. Weeks 3-4 add split-hand and left-foot-back drills for release and sequencing.

Week 5-6 add gate drill under on-course simulation. Expect visible ball-flight change by week 3 and measurable path/face improvements by week 6.

How to Implement These Drills:

6-Week Practice Plan with Numbers

This section gives a specific, measurable schedule to move from diagnostic to on-course carryover. The plan assumes three practice sessions per week, 45-60 minutes each.

Week 0: Baseline

• Take a 30-second video face-on and down-the-line of 10 swings with a 7-iron.
• Optional: use a launch monitor session to record path and face at impact (TrackMan, FlightScope, or Rapsodo).
• Record baseline: average path degrees, face degrees, ball curvature, carry distance.

Weeks 1-2: Rebuild Path (focus drills)

• Session A: Inside-Path Rope Drill: 5 sets x 10 swings (50 reps). Gate Drill: 4 sets x 6 swings (24 reps).
• Session B: Headcover/Impact Bag: 6 sets x 8 impacts (48 reps). Short on-target shots with 50% power: 3 sets x 8.
• Session C: Short game and on-course tempo practice; 30 minutes applying feel shots.

Expected outcome by end Week 2:

• Reduced out-to-in misses from 60% to 30% on range shots.
• More centered strikes on impact bag or tape.

Weeks 3-4: Release and Sequencing

• Session A: Split-Hand Throw Drill: 4 sets x 12 (48 reps). Left-Foot Back Alignment: 5 sets x 10 (50 reps).
• Session B: Combine Inside-Path Rope with Gate Drill: 4 sets x 8 each.
• Session C: Simulated course play: 9 holes focusing on one swing fix per hole.

Expected outcome by end Week 4:

• Clubface at impact closer to square; side spin down 20-50% on launch monitor.
• Ball flight reduces curvature and starts to hold lines on fairways.

Weeks 5-6: Transfer and Reinforce

• Session A: Full-swing integration: 6 sets x 8 from various lies with alignment sticks.
• Session B: Launch monitor feedback and on-course pressure shots: practice with scoring goals (e.g., hit 70% fairways).
• Session C: Maintenance session: 3 drills of your choice, 30-40 reps total.

Expected outcome by end Week 6:

• Neutral or slightly inside path on most swings, face within 0-4 degrees open at impact.
• Higher confidence on tee with reduced slice carry distances.

Practice volume notes:

• Aim for 600-1000 intentional reps across 6 weeks for best motor learning transfer.
• Prioritize quality over quantity: every rep should have a specific focus (path, face, rotation).

Measurement and checkpoints:

• Re-video every two weeks and compare shoulder/pelvis sequencing.
• If you use a launch monitor, track these metrics weekly: club path (degrees), face-to-path (degrees), side spin (rpm), and carry distance.
• Expect side spin reductions from 2000-4000 rpm down toward 500-1500 rpm for straighter flight.

Tools and Resources

Practical tools speed feedback and make drills measurable. Below are common devices, typical pricing, and where to buy.

Launch monitors and shot-tracking

• Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor: $1,995. Portable with real-time spin/path data via phone app. Good for range practice.
• SkyTrak (Personal Launch Monitor): $2,000-$2,500. Affordable home option with practice software subscription.
• FlightScope Mevo+: $2,000-$2,500. Mid-range with accurate spin and path for practice sessions.
• TrackMan: $18,000-$25,000. Tour-level radar system found at indoor studios and pro shops; often available by the hour for lessons.

Where to buy: Manufacturer websites, Golf Galaxy, PGA Superstore, authorized dealers.

Video apps and coaching platforms

• V1 Pro: $149/year for cloud features. Excellent slow-motion analysis, draw lines, compare swings.
• Hudl Technique: free basic version; paid pro tiers available. Useful for side-by-side comparison.
• CoachNow: $120/year to manage lessons and drills with a coach.

Availability: App Store, Google Play, vendor websites.

Training aids (low cost)

• Alignment sticks: $10-$20 per pair. Amazon, PGA stores.
• Orange Whip: $85-$130. Helps tempo, balance, and sequencing.
• Impact bag: $30-$80. Targets hands-forward impact feel.
• Tour Striker Smart Ball: $35-$60. Trains connection between arms and body.
• Swing Plane Trainer or PlaneMate: $40-$150. Guides on-plane takeaway and downswing.

Clubs and grips

• Grip balance tool: $25-$50 for basic swing-weight balance checks.
• Lightweight training clubs: $40-$100 to work on tempo without fatigue.

Coaching and facilities

• Local PGA Professional lesson: $50-$150 per 30 minutes depending on region.
• Indoor TrackMan or FlightScope session: $60-$150 per hour.
• Video swing analysis packages: often $100-$250 for a recorded analysis and drills.

Budget-friendly pathway

• Start with alignment sticks ($15), a headcover ($3), and free video apps to record drills.
• Add SkyTrak or Rapsodo once you want consistent data and home practice.

Comparison summary

• Best portability and affordability: Rapsodo or Mevo+ for range use.
• Best for home simulator: SkyTrak paired with simulation software.
• Best accuracy and coach-level data: TrackMan but very expensive unless renting hourly.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Overdoing upper-body cues

Mistake: Forcing the chest to rotate aggressively to “stop coming over the top” can create reverse pivot or sway.

How to avoid: Use left-foot-back drill and feel lower body lead. Video-check that hips initiate the downswing 0.1-0.2 seconds before hands.

2. Skipping slow reps and going straight to full-speed

Mistake: Practicing only at full speed engrains the wrong motor pattern.

How to avoid: Do 30-40% speed reps focusing on path and face for the first 3 weeks, then gradually add speed.

3. Not measuring progress

Mistake: Relying on feel alone; no objective data.

How to avoid: Record baseline video and re-test every two weeks or use a launch monitor for path/face metrics.

4. Ignoring short game and tempo

Mistake: Eliminating the slice on the range but losing rhythm on course.

How to avoid: Practice with tempo aids (Orange Whip) and simulate course pressure with scoring drills.

5. Using only one drill

Mistake: Overusing a single drill prevents full swing integration.

How to avoid: Rotate 3-4 drills weekly and follow the 6-week plan to ensure path, release, and sequencing are all addressed.

FAQ

How Long Does It Take to Fix an Over-the-Top Slice?

Most golfers see ball-flight improvement in 2-3 weeks with consistent practice; measurable path and face changes typically occur within 4-6 weeks when following a structured plan and recording progress.

Can I Fix an Over-the-Top Slice Without a Coach?

Yes, many golfers can improve using targeted drills, video apps, and launch monitor feedback. A coach accelerates progress by identifying hidden causes and preventing compensations.

Will These Drills Work for Drivers and Irons?

The drills transfer to all clubs, but begin with short irons and wedges to build correct motor patterns, then gradually apply to longer clubs as timing and path stabilize.

How Many Practice Swings per Week are Ideal to See Improvement?

Aim for 600-1000 intentional reps over 6 weeks (roughly 100-170 reps per week) with quality focus on path, face, and sequencing.

Do I Need a Launch Monitor to Fix My Slice?

No, but a launch monitor speeds learning by quantifying path, face angle, and spin. Use video and impact-felt drills as low-cost alternatives.

If My Hands Feel Locked, Which Drill Helps Most?

Try the split-hand throw drill and impact bag. They encourage forearm rotation and a shallower release to square the face.

Next Steps

1. Baseline test this week

• Record 10 swings face-on and down-the-line.
• Note ball curvature and take a single launch monitor reading or smartphone video.

2. Start the 6-week plan

• Schedule three 45-60 minute practice sessions per week using the drill rotation above.
• Keep a practice log: date, drill, reps, perceived results.

3. Add affordable tools for feedback

15) and an impact bag ($35) for immediate tactile feedback.

• If budget allows, book one launch monitor session (Rapsodo or local TrackMan rental) to record baseline numbers.

4. Re-test and adjust at week 2 and week 6

• Video your swing again and compare to baseline.
• If progress stalls, book a 30-minute lesson with a PGA Professional ($50-$150) to diagnose sequencing or equipment issues.

Checklist: quick daily routine

• Warm-up 5 minutes with tempo swings on Orange Whip or practice club.
• 20-40 focused reps on one drill (use alignment sticks or headcover).
• Finish with 10 full-speed swings applying the new feel.
• Log results and repeat.

Now begin the first baseline test and commit to the 6-week schedule. Regular measurable practice and the right drills produce lasting changes in path, face control, and ball flight.

Further Reading

• Golf Swing Over the Top What Causes It and How to Fix It
• Golf Swing Path Drills to Eliminate Hooks and Slices Forever
• Golf Swing Path How to Hit Straighter Shots Every Time
• Golf Swing Plane Drills to Groove a Perfect Downswing