How To Instantly Fix An Over The Top Golf Swing

If you’ve been struggling with a steep downswing that results in inconsistent shots, you’re not alone. Many golfers face this issue, but there is an easy and effective way to train yourself to shallow out your swing and make better contact with the ball. In this post, we’ll explore how the ball-above-your-feet drill can help you smooth out your downswing and improve your consistency on the course.

The Steep Downswing Problem

One of the most common issues amateur golfers face is the club getting too steep during the downswing. This steep angle leads to poor strikes, thin or fat shots, and ultimately, inconsistent ball flight. On the other hand, professional golfers typically have a more shallow downswing, where the club comes in at a flatter angle, allowing them to make solid contact with the ball.
 

In a professional golfer’s downswing, when the lead arm is parallel to the ground, the club shaft should be in alignment with the ball, pointing toward the ground. However, when recreational players steepen the shaft, it can lead to all sorts of compensations during that critical 0.25-second window of impact.

So, how can you break this bad habit? The answer lies in a simple yet effective drill.

Understanding the Ball-Above-Your-Feet Drill

A key factor that often causes golfers to steepen their downswing is a lack of awareness of how the body moves in relation to the club. In a typical situation, the ball is on flat ground, and players get used to making a certain type of motion to get the club into the correct position. But, what happens when you change the environment?

This is where the ball-above-your-feet drill comes into play. When you position the ball above your feet—on a slope—you automatically have to make adjustments to your swing. This elevation forces you to create a more rounded, shallower swing plane, which naturally prevents you from steepening the club during the downswing.

The Benefits of Practicing on a Slope

When you practice with the ball above your feet, your body will instinctively adapt to the change in posture. As you set up, your swing will become more rounded, with the club staying flatter through the downswing. If you were to try to make a steep swing in this setup, it would be impossible to make clean contact with the ball.

By exaggerating this motion on a slope, you’re training your body to eliminate the steep angle and create a shallower approach to the ball, which is essential for better ball striking. The goal isn’t necessarily to hit perfect shots immediately, but to get your body used to the new swing plane and allow it to translate into better results when you're on flat ground.

How to Do the Ball-Above-Your-Feet Drill

Find a Slope: Look for a hill or an area where the ground is sloped. Many golf courses have undulations you can use for practice, or you can simulate it using adjustable simulators.

Set Up to the Ball: Position the ball above your feet, making sure that your body tilts accordingly to the slope. The ball will be higher than normal, and you’ll feel a slight change in your posture.

Make Practice Swings: As you start your swing, focus on making a more rounded, shallow motion. Avoid steepening the club or trying to attack the ball with a steep angle. Instead, allow your body to rotate and keep the club in a more shallow position throughout the downswing.

Hit Shots: After a few practice swings, hit some balls. You may notice that your swing feels smoother, and the ball flight may even improve, with a more consistent strike and potentially a slight draw.

Drills to Sharpen Your Swing

Repetition is Key: Spend time hitting balls from this setup. The more you practice, the more your body will adapt to the shallower swing path. With enough repetitions, you’ll start to feel the new, more consistent motion even when you return to a flat stance.

Focus on Your Turn: As you make your swing, you may notice that you’re turning more with your body and using your core. This is a great sign that you’re shifting away from the steep, arm-dominant downswing and using your whole body to deliver the club with a shallower path.

Putting It All Together: When to Use This Drill

While this drill is incredibly useful for fixing a steep downswing, it’s important to remember that it’s a skill-building exercise. If you're working on technical swing adjustments with your coach or in front of a mirror, the ball-above-your-feet drill can complement those efforts by ingraining the feel of a flatter swing.

For golfers with limited time or those in short seasons, this drill can be a game-changer. Rather than spending all your time focused on technical fixes, simply hitting a series of balls from the slope can help your swing naturally flatten out without excessive effort. It’s an outcome-based approach that focuses on improving your ball striking without getting bogged down by complex mechanics.

Conclusion

If you’ve been struggling with a steep downswing, the ball-above-your-feet drill offers an excellent way to develop a more shallow, consistent swing. It forces your body to adapt, improving your posture, rotation, and swing plane. As you practice this drill, you’ll find that your ability to strike the ball crisply improves, leading to better ball flights and more reliable shots.

Remember, it’s not just about hitting the right technical positions—it’s about training your body to perform consistently under real-world conditions. By spending time on this drill, you’ll improve your swing mechanics and see better results on the course.

Give it a try, and let us know how it works for you!