Overswing
Also known as: overswinging, over swinging, swinging past parallel, backswing too long, club past parallel at the top, too long a backswing
Overswinging means the backswing goes too far, usually past parallel, with the body losing its structure to get there. Signs include the lead arm folding, the grip loosening and the trail elbow flying. Stopping the backswing when the shoulders finish turning usually fixes it.
A club past parallel at the top is not a fault on its own. Some long hitters swing well past it with a full turn and good structure. It becomes an overswing when the extra length comes from the arms and hands rather than the body. Common signs are a collapsing lead arm, a cupping lead wrist, a flying trail elbow and fingers that let go of the grip.
An overswing makes timing harder. The club has farther to travel and often has to be re-gripped at the top. It can also cross the line and arrive from too far inside, or get thrown outward from the top. Many golfers find that a shorter backswing with a full turn gives them more control.
To shorten it, stop the backswing when the shoulders finish turning. Keep the lead arm extended and hold steady grip pressure at the top. Three-quarter swing drills help the shorter length feel normal. Very flexible players often swing longer with no harm. Judge the swing by the strike and the ball flight, not only the shaft angle.
Tips by skill level
Make practice swings and stop when your back faces the target. That is long enough for most golfers.
Check grip pressure at the top on video. If the last three fingers of the lead hand open, the swing is longer than your hands can control.
Example
A junior golfer's driver drops well past parallel and her grip loosens at the top. Her coach has her make three-quarter swings with a firm, quiet hold. Her strike improves and she loses very little carry.
Why it matters
An overswing adds moving parts and timing demands. A backswing that ends with the turn is easier to repeat under pressure.
Common mistakes
- Swinging the arms on after the shoulders stop turning
- Loosening the fingers at the top and re-gripping on the way down
- Assuming a longer backswing must mean more distance
- Shortening the swing so much that the turn stops early
Frequently asked questions
Am I overswinging?
Check the top of your backswing on video. If the club is well past parallel and your lead arm folds, your grip loosens or your trail elbow flies, you are probably overswinging.
What is overswinging in golf?
It is a backswing that goes too far for the body to control, usually well past parallel. The extra length comes from the arms and hands, with the lead arm folding or the grip loosening.
Is it bad to swing past parallel?
Not by itself. Some long hitters swing past parallel with a full turn and good structure. It is a problem when the arms and hands create the extra length and the body breaks down.
How do I stop overswinging?
Stop the backswing when your shoulders finish turning, keep your lead arm extended and hold steady grip pressure. Three-quarter swing drills help the shorter backswing feel normal.
Related terms
- BackswingThe backswing is the movement of the club from address to the top position. It creates the width, shoulder turn, and wrist hinge needed for power on the way down.
- Across the LineThe club is across the line when, at the top of the backswing, the shaft points right of the target for a right-handed golfer (left of it for a left-hander). It often comes with a long backswing or a flying trail elbow. Many coaches link it to an inside-out path with blocks and hooks, though some players shallow the club and play well from it.
- Lead Arm BendLead arm bend is too much folding of the lead elbow in the backswing. It shortens the swing's radius and reduces the width and stored power of a fully extended backswing.
- Flying ElbowA flying elbow is the trail elbow lifting up and away from the body during the backswing. It disconnects the arms from the torso's rotation and often produces an overly steep, arms-dominant swing.
- Shoulder TurnShoulder turn is the rotation of the upper back (thoracic spine) and shoulders during the backswing. A full turn, near 90°, is the main source of swing arc and coil.
- TempoTempo is the overall timing and rhythm of your swing — the ratio of how long the backswing takes versus the downswing. A smooth, repeatable tempo is what makes contact consistent.
Related guides & benchmarks
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