Over the Top
Also known as: OTT, outside-in loop
Over the top means the downswing starts by throwing the club outside the backswing plane, producing an out-to-in path that causes pulls, pull-slices, and loss of distance.
It is the most common cause of the slice. When the upper body dominates the transition — spinning the shoulders before the hips lead — the club is thrown over the plane and arrives at the ball moving left of target. The ball starts left and curves further right. Fixing it requires a sequenced transition where the lower body fires first, letting the club shallow and approach from inside.
Example
A player whose divots all point 10–15° left of target is coming over the top, even if they feel they are swinging straight.
Why it matters
Over the top costs both accuracy and power. SwingVantage reads the delivery direction so a path fix targets sequencing, not just arm position.
Related terms
- Club PathClub path is the horizontal direction the clubhead is moving through impact, relative to the target line, in degrees. Positive is in-to-out (a draw bias); negative is out-to-in (a fade or slice bias).
- SliceA slice is a shot that curves sharply away from the target — to the right for a right-handed golfer. It happens when the clubface is open relative to the swing path at impact.
- ShallowingShallowing is when the club shaft flattens (becomes more horizontal) in the early downswing, allowing it to approach the ball from inside the target line for a powerful, in-to-out delivery.
- TransitionThe transition is the moment the swing changes direction from backswing to downswing. How the body initiates this moment determines sequencing, lag, and the resulting club path.
- Kinematic SequenceThe kinematic sequence is the order in which body segments accelerate and decelerate during the downswing: pelvis → torso → lead arm → clubhead. Each segment slingshots the next for maximum speed.
Related guides & benchmarks
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