#1 Driver Mistake Every Golfer Makes – And How To Fix It FAST!

Want longer, straighter golf drives? Stop coming “over the top.” This simple sequence will transform your swing with consistency and power.

Unlock Distance and Precision with Your Driver

Coming over the top is a frequent golfer error that robs distance and causes pulls and slices. Fixing it involves a clear sequence: prepare the backswing, control the transition, and match the clubface to your new swing path. Follow these steps to improve your drives.

Step 1: Priming the Backswing for Better Drives

A good downswing starts with a prepared backswing. If the grip isn’t moving behind the ball adequately, the downswing can push the club over the target line, resulting in an out-to-in path.

• Visual Cue: Picture a line from the shaft to your trail elbow. At delivery, your club head should align with or lag slightly behind this line, avoiding an over-the-top path.
• Quick Drill:

• Setup: Address the ball as usual with your driver. Note your heels’ position.
• Lift the arms: Raise your hands slightly over the trail shoulder, maintaining a straight lead arm.
• Rotate: Turn your body until your grip is over your heels.
• Check the line: Use a camera or mirror; confirm your club head aligns with or is slightly behind the imaginary elbow line.

Step 2: Controlling the Transition

Aligning your top-of-swing position is only half the story. During transition, many golf players spin their torso too quickly and fling their arms, leading to an over-the-top approach.

For balance, keep your back toward the target as your arms drop, and shift weight to your lead foot. This lowers the clubshaft beneath the previous reference line, guiding it from the inside.

• Drill: The Pump Drill

1. Reach the Top: Achieve grip depth above your heels.
2. Apply a Small Bump: Shift your weight subtly toward your lead side.
3. Pump: Lower your arms, keeping your chest back. “Arms down, chest back.”
4. Repeat: Bump and pump a few times, then swing normally.

• Avoid throwing the club; the pump is about controlled arm lowering.
• There should be slight body rotation during the pump; focus on arm lowering while gently resisting torso rotation.

Step 3: Matching the Clubface

Changing the path isn’t enough. If your clubface remains open, you’ll send the ball right. Rotate the clubface so it’s closed relative to the new in-to-out path at impact.

• Simple Hand Rotation Drill:

1. Left-hand Swings: Use only your left hand to swing, rotating your palm from back to front.
2. Add the Club: Grip lightly and rotate, letting the clubface travel naturally with your palm’s movement.

• Maintain a light grip; tension hinders rotation.
• Focus on the rotation from above the elbow.
• Avoid forcibly flipping; allow natural forearm rotation for club control.

Incorporating the Steps

Practicing this three-step routine leads to straighter, longer drives:

1. Warm-up: 8-10 mobility swings focusing on smooth arm rotation.
2. Step 1 Drill: 10-15 half swings to build depth. Use a mirror/camera for feedback.
3. Step 2 Drill: Run 2 sets of 10. Do bumps and pumps twice, then complete the swing. Start with short irons.
4. Step 3 Drill: Perform single-hand swings, then use both hands with light pressure.
5. Full Swings: Swing with a driver focusing on the sequence, starting with 10 and developing upto 20 based on session intensity.

Develop a habit of practicing this sequence 2-3 times weekly for tangible improvements.

Common Challenges and Expectations

• Initial awkwardness is normal; adjust incrementally using video feedback.
• Don’t rush the transition; speed builds with familiarity of the new motion.
• Keep grip pressure light to facilitate effective forearm rotation.

By focusing on these three critical steps—priming the backswing, controlling the transition, and matching the clubface—golfers can overcome the over-the-top issue. With time and practice, this targeted approach helps produce the high draw and straight shots golf players aim for.