St. Johns March 2019 Newsletter P1_STM78604 March Newsletter | Page 5

NOTE FROM THE TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
MARCH 2019
From the Lesson Tee: Over-the-Top Body/Swing Connection
Until recently, golf instruction focused only the fundamentals of the golf swing and not
much else. This approach created a disconnect in each lesson where the instructor may
be asking the student to attempt a novel task in the golf swing that cannot be completed
in daily life. Today, modern instructors have an appreciation that the golf swing will only
be as good as the body will allow. Every tendency or swing characteristic can be directly
associated with a physical limitation that is restricting mobility in the golf swing.
Most golfers are familiar with the term “Coming over the top” and have a general idea of
the symptoms. As we begin to recognize the symptoms of deep divots, swing path issues,
additional spin, and ultimately a significant loss of distance we need to take a step back
and examine the root cause of this swing characteristic. As the downswing begins to come
“Over the Top” of the plane, the arms and upper body dominate the pattern, throwing the
club away from the body creating an outside-in swing path. With every golf swing there
are individual variations, but the most common outcome of this swing characteristic is
striking the ball with and open clubface and a glancing blow.
Several physical characteristics must be developed to prevent the club from coming
Over-the-Top during the golf swing. Primarily, the hips and the lower body must initiate
the downswing creating a proper sequence allowing the club to swing on an inside
path. When a golfer struggles with leading the golf swing with the lower body the first
physical movement that must be assessed is the ability separate the lower body from the
upper body. Usually the restrictions emerge from limited spinal and hip mobility and the
pelvis cannot sufficiently engage. The ability to stabilize the core also plays an important
role as loss of posture will allow the arms to become overactive leaving the lower body
underutilized. Finally, balance plays a significant role as the weight shifts into the lead
leg. Without a powerful weight shift, the arms are forced to create excessive force. Each
of the physical requirements can be improved through training protocols and corrective
movements. The initial goal is to educate the nervous system first with light resistance,
building into complexity, and finally introducing weight to the program.
Play Well,
John Mousley
PGA, TPI
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