Video summary

How to Fix an Over the Top Swing with Dave Phillips | Golf Tips | Titleist

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Overview: What “Over the Top” Usually Comes From

Dave Phillips explains that “over the top” is common for many golfers and typically happens because of how the body moves during the swing—especially whether the upper and lower body separate properly.

Self-Test: Check for Upper/Lower Separation

Phillips recommends a simple drill:

  1. Place a club across your chest in your setup.
  2. Start your backswing while keeping your shoulders perfectly still.
  3. Focus on whether your lower body separates from your upper body.

Results:

  • If you can separate upper and lower body: you’re likely able to fix the issue.
  • If you can’t separate: it becomes harder to correct.

The Ideal Swing Mechanism (Path and Club “Shallowing”)

Phillips describes the “correct” sequence:

  • As you reach the top, the lower body separates, and the club shallows—so the shaft stays closer to the correct forearm plane.
  • When your hips clear, the club comes down in front of you and delivers from the inside to the ball.

What Causes Over-the-Top

With an over-the-top swing, the golfer tends to:

  • Turn the upper body and lower body together rather than separating.
  • This causes the shaft to move outside the plane, so the club approaches the ball outside-to-in.

Common ball effects:

  • The ball often starts left
  • It may continue left or curve dramatically right
  • The problem often becomes worse with longer clubs

Two Fixes (Depending on What Your Test Shows)

1) If You Fail the Separation Test (Disassociation Problem)

If your test shows you can’t separate upper and lower body, Phillips suggests:

  • Shift your plane further behind you by bending over slightly more.
  • Get your lead arm under the shoulder plane (moving toward a more one-plane feel).
  • Use the concept that turning together plus deeper arms helps the club come from the inside and prevents the over-the-top move.

2) If You Pass the Separation Test but Still Come Over the Top

If you don’t have the separation/disassociation problem, Phillips recommends using a headcover as a guide:

  • During practice swings:
    • On the takeaway, make the club work “out over” the headcover.
  • On the downswing, feel like your:
    • Upper body is more closed, so your arms travel more from the inside.
  • He also adds a specific cue:
    • At the top, feel your chest stays closed to the target during the downswing to help the club shallow and reduce the over-the-top pattern.

Presenters / Sources

  • Dave Phillips (as referenced in the video title)

Original video