"Over the top" or "In the slot": Golf Lesson by Herman Williams, PGA

[steven33068]

Hello Herman, you video is spot on as far as my condition. I am the classic over the top out of the slot amateur. I find your "bump" Lateral move is very helpful however I am now WAY behind the ball. I think it is due to a weak left arm and wrist coming through the ball. Do you have any tips to help with club-head lag? I am able to lag the club but i must think about it through the entire shot. The moment i try to focus on another aspect of my swing i start digging ditches again... :)

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@steven33068 Glad you're figuring out the over-the-top move but sorry to hear you're hitting it fat. Sometimes this comes from being on a shallower plane from the inside that simply puts the clubhead closer to the ground than your old steep swing. Search on YouTube for "Herman Williams lag video" - at least 4 videos avail. The feeling you probably need is the sensation of jamming the butt of the club at the target as your hips are clearing thru impact. This will delay your divot.

[ozstriker1984]

@hermanwilliamsgolf im confused Kevin looked like he was pushing the ball right was he coming too far from inside to out

Great tip definitely going to give it a try, its driving me nuts that i cant cure my over the top swing

[Excaliburxxxxxx]

Excellent video.

With just this simple change to my swing ive gone from lots of fades and slices to all straight shots and sllight draws....no slices for weeks.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@Excaliburxxxxxx Awesome! Thanks for commenting. - Herman

[jtsimikas]

Hi Herman,

When I try to drop the club in the slot, I have a tendency to hit behind the ball, sometimes even 4 inches or more behind the ball. I don't feel like I am throwing the club, but once i get in the slot I think my hands may become very active and it feels like I might be thrusting the club with my right hand.

I do get me weight shift over to my left side, but somehow I still bottom out very early. I also tend to pull hook the ball. Thanks for any help you can provide.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@jtsimikas Any time you begin altering your swing plane to something flatter or more inside, it increases the potential to strike the ground first. The club is simply moving to impact in a shallower approach path. You will need to find a way to increase your lag. First check to make sure you are not throwing the clubhead down behind you on a better path but uncocking too soon. Next, look at speeding up your hip rotation on the forward swing. Both ideas should create later divots.

[jtsimikas]

@hermanwilliamsgolf

Thank you for the quick reply.

So once I have the club in the slot should I feel like I have active hands or should the hands be passive?

Also, should I start firing (turning) the hips as soon as the club is slotted or does this happen before being slotted.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@jtsimikas Based on your description being able to hook the ball, I would go with passive hands and turn left as soon as club is slotted. The difference for Tour players with amazing flexibility is they will start clearing right as the downswing starts & they are capable of still getting the club down in the slot. Most people however will go outside over the top trying to do the same thing. So slot it at all cost, then figure out blend of hands & hips. I like hooking it 1st, then learning hips.

[jruleiv1]

How about keeping your back to the target and swinging your arms down towards the ball? Over the top is caused by shoulder rotating too quickly in the downswing and golfers trying to use their body too much to hit the ball. Thanks Herman! You have once again proven that PGA means nothing when it comes to being a teacher! Don't get Hermanized....it could confuse you more than you already are!

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@jruleiv1 I'm not sure where we disagree unless you didn't watch the video. I notice you left the same comment elsewhere on YouTube. In fact I mention that exact description in several other videos & would think most people would infer that here when I stated don't attempt to start down by turning or clearing the body. Most amateurs & many pros will definitely do best by keeping the back to target as arms drop (during the shifting phase mentioned here) followed by clearing once arms are slotted.

[gmonkey808]

Looks to me as though he is just going right now instead of left.

On the slow motion its clearly heading at the tree and its going to need a big lot of draw to get back to target which i dont think it will.

Its not as simple as just swinging from the inside or we would all be able to do it.

Whats missing herman???? What is the secret of hitting stright from the inside??

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@gmonkey808 One change at a time. The ball needs 3 things for a quality shot ... path, face and angle of descent. This video only deals with one of them. If you are hitting from the inside for the first time, it may be overdone or may have the effect of delaying the clubface or holding it open. It's still worth the effort to fix the path for good and never go back to over-the-top. Check my video on "how to stop blocking golf shots." Thanks for commenting.

Herman

[iggyb49]

@tank5335. Check out Herman's video about casting. It might be that you're unhinging your wrist too soon, which can cause the club head to drop and hit behind the ball. Good luck!

[dinorell]

Great instruction.

I always have the feeling of making the bump towards the shortstop because I rotate my upper body first like your student thus making my OTT move. OK, align yourself and club face at the pitcher. After backswing, make a bump towards the second baseman, drop that elbow and let er go. Correct?

thanks, mike in memphis

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@dinorell You nailed it!!! Good luck. - Herman

[MrDoobie834]

i am envious of the gentleman student. Mr Williams corrected my grip and now this move. Yes it gave me trouble last weekend pulling line drives left big time. Then I reviewed this. Went to the driving range on Monday (labor day) to work on it before my round. OMG Herman is a master. I was 2 over after 15 hitting all but one fairway. Okay after that...had some water problems and mental errors...next lesson. HA! envious of gentleman student because he has direct access to a Herman in person

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@MrDoobie834 Thanks for the compliment and congratulations on a good round.

[yengwenli]

Very helpful video thank you. Since i start losing my grip and learn turning more my hip initiate downswing I have been hving slice problem/outside in swing. However if I try to drop club down the slot, I would tend to shank by holding on wrist hinge. I think is something about my release, any help?

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@yengwenli You may be dropping in the slot correctly then spinning your hips quickly which still throws your hands outward too much just before impact. Or you may be unhinging your wrists outward which throws the neck of club out into ball. Check my video on how to stop shanking and make sure your grip is correct so your right palm is facing downward when you get approximately waist-high on downswing. This should continue to press the shaft down and toward target not out into hosel of club

[gbgleannalainn]

@calebgabby I m like yourself. Lots of lessons but still coming over the top. Driving me completely mad now as I'm playing off 12 and slicing and pulling irons. Read books and watched DVDs. Head full of shit. Have a good pro but he tells me to use the box drill which is making shit of my clubs. This fella is good. Bump and drop................simple.

[cockywatchman1976]

one of the best OTT vids out there on youtube

[tank5335]

This video is so great you have no idea!!! i struggled with over the top so much i almost quit golf but when i saw this it gave me a great mental picture of what i need to do. now my question is how do i avoind coming too far inside and hitting it fat? i corrected the over the top move but now some times hit it fat becuase i drop too far inside... any ideas?

[crd31000]

Well sorry Herman,for the way i spelt your name and I missed the part where you mention the audio is not that good......Sorry for speaking on this before knowing:(

[crd31000]

Mr Herminized lol...... nice to see your videos again (2010 tigers return)

Well i have wondered what the "slot" is this is great.

Could you do something about the audio on all this..... very inconsistant,first part and near the end is so loud, I almost have to turn the volume down:(

[impression010]

thank you. you just cured my slice. i knew i was coming over the top. but i dint know why. now i do.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@impression010 Fantastic - thanks for commenting.

[jfarq001]

Great vid!!

[lid1977]

thanks mate really helped me out this vid, it took me couple of weeks to get the hang of it, i usually go round in mid 80's and last week shot a 75 and 81 Cheers mate

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@lid1977 awesome - glad I could help. - Herman

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@calebgabby Wow - I'm humbled. Thanks for favoriting and keep working on your game. It will test you like no other, but there's no feeling like it when you figure it out. Try to understand your style and habit tendencies and then focus on information geared in that direction. Mirrors, video and lots of slow motion practice helps. Keep watching my vids and good luck!!! - Herman

[favcity]

Thanks for faithfully illustrating a key TGM concept with so much clarity and brevity!

"Hermanized!" LOL! Nice

ICT @LBG

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@favcity Hey favcity, thanks for compliment.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@MrSillybilly20 Definitely. Normally the toe will be kicked out at approx 30 - 45 degree angle. See my "flat wrist video" and it will show you how the clubface should match the back of your hand and arm at top of backswing. If you get that fixed then you may want to check the video on "casting" followed by the video "release the club like a pro." Good luck and let me know how you do. - Herman

[Deck314]

I've been an over the topper for years, and have become pretty good at salvaging my swing at impact.--two aces speak for themselves. However, consistency is simply not there, and my index hasn't budged (15.5). My pro has me attempting to drop the club from the top using gravity, but my left hand continued to pull the club down and out. That move, coupled with my hip turn guaranteed an over the top downswing. Taking the butt end towards first base cured the over the top move. Thanks!!!

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@Deck314 Sometimes you just have to keep grinding 'til you find the right little idea that makes this stuff click. glad to have helped. - Herman

[golfnff]

Well done. Good explanation!

[jafalad]

Awesome coaching, Herman! I have a Phd in "Over the Top" golfswings: savage pull, no-come back hook and for some variety, the right blocker. I give your drill a try. Currently trying to nail the correct rotation and have been practising 9 o' clock golf swings. It takes 21 days to form a habit right? Let's see if your drill works for me :) Thanks again.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@jafalad I love your description of your swing - good luck. 21 days is the start ... it usually takes longer to "own" it.

[stevekettner1]

This is may be the best explanation I have ever heard on this subject. Set club on a table behind you and point butt of club toward first base. Doesn't get any simpler. The bump and drop will take some practice. Thanks

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@stevekettner1 thanks for comments - keep working, you'll get it.

Herman

[texaco121]

Excellent tip!

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@texaco121 thanx

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@texaco121 thanks

[mazgr8stuff81]

Hi Herman

Thankyou very much for this, i was a massive over the topper and i went practiced how you reccomended and ive improved alot, thankyou. alot more consistent ESPECIALLY with my driver.

However there is the odd time i would push/block the ball with this. that includes the driver which sometimes becomse a slice. Is this just a sqauring up issue???????

Herman, legend mate.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@mazgr8stuff81 thanx When you get the arms and club to drop more "inside" it tends to leave the back of the left wrist and consequently the clubface facing upward longer. It is as if the face is more open than your old swing style was. 2 things to keep in mind - 1) get the back of the left hand rotating down toward the ground sooner to square the face early & 2)allow the club to swing back to the left after impact. Don't continue swinging out to right field too long after impact. Good luck.

[mazgr8stuff81]

Excellent clip, thankyou feels good and has improved my swing in general however it causes some blocks out to the right.

how can i overcome the blocking/pushes obstacle???

[franzsei]

best instruction to correct getting it in the slot

[cockywatchman1976]

Also lead with the right elbow kind of digging into your ribs. SEE IMPERFECT GOLFERS videos....the best and most concise OTT cure video ever IMHO.  This is a good video as well...Thanks Herman!!!

[cockywatchman1976]

Compress the right shoulder too...its key. Do it with the bump. Think drop right shoulder at ball, whilst left shoulder feels like it moves up NOT spins left. Then you really start to come from the inside.

[QueDaDawg]

WOW! That was one of the best instructional golf videos I've seen in awhile! Thank you Mr. Williams for sharing real practical applications. My left leg is amputated above the knee and I have had alot of trouble shifting my weight since it's my left leg that's missing. But that makes sense and I cant wait to get to the range tomorrow to try it out. If you have any more advice for an amputee please post! Take care and thanks again...LOVED IT!!!!

[MrDoobie834]

I have managed to "ALMOST" fix my over the top move though it still lingers slightly and on occasion rears its ugly head. With your usual clarity and precise explanation I have no doubt I can slay the ugly dragon. Shawn's over the top swing looks like mine today. It doesn't look bad to the casual observer until, as you demonstrate it compared to your fix of his swing. Thanks again!

[MrDoobie834]

Okay I have watched literally 100's of youtube videos on golf to help my game. Some have been good all the way to laughable though I have no doubt they all are well intentioned. Your 3, that I have seen so far are remarkable and perhaps the best. I watched the grip; release, flat wrist and now this one. Absolute jewels. Learned from you what not only what I am doing wrong but what I am doing right.

Thanks for sharing...much appreciated. Where are you by the way?

[jimsliwa]

great tip and drill with the noodle.