Golf World: How to avoid hitting from the top

All golfers do it and they don't know how to stop it. It's called hitting from the top. What does this really mean and what kind of shot will it produce?

Hitting from the top is the early acceleration of the club from the top of the swing. It can produce almost any type of shot, from a thin shot, a fat shot, a slice and even a duck hook. Generally, most golfers who do this uncock their wrists right from the top of their swing. The other way golfers hit from the top is by unwinding the shoulders directly from the top . Besides a mega-power loss, the golfer will encounter severe accuracy problems.

So here is a summary of how to stop hitting from the top:

-- Keep your backswing slow enough so when you get to the top of your swing your club has a chance to slow down. Never rush your swing from the top.

-- Make sure you complete your shoulder turn on the backswing. If you cut off your turn, you will start down with your shoulders, and the result will be an outside-in downswing. You should feel like your left shoulder is turning behind the ball on the backswing. This will ensure a slow transition. Often, I see amateurs sliding their hips to the right on the backswing. This hip sway prevents the shoulders from turning correctly.

-- Start your downswing with your lower body and not your hands, arms or shoulders. The downswing should be initiated with a slight lateral shift. Once the weight gets to the front leg, then you can turn your hips as hard as you want.

-- Try to work your shoulders "down and under" on the downswing. This will keep your swing on a good inside track, and will help trap your right elbow against your side.

-- Don't try to hit the ball so hard. Just make a relaxed swing, and emphasize good tempo during your entire motion.

Hitting from the top is a common swing problem that most certainly originates in the hands and arms. Excessive tension is usually the culprit. Next time you go out to play, feel like your grip pressure is very light and get rid of any tension. This will ensure a smooth swing and the "over the top" will disappear.

(Dr. Jim Suttie, 2000 National PGA Teacher of the Year, is available for lessons at Suttie Golf at The Club at Twin Eagles North Naples and Cog Hill Golf Club, Lemont, Ill. Suttie is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and rated No. 15 in Golf Digest Best 50 Teachers. Suttie also is the director of golf operations for the Florida Gulf Coast University golf program. Contact him at Jmsuttie(at)aol.com.)

(Golf World is a featuare of the Naples Daily News in Florida.)

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