“Over the top” or “In the slot”: Golf Lesson by Herman Williams, PGA
For more golf training info go to: www.hermanwilliamsgolf.com In this online video golf lesson, Herman Williams, PGA Professional at The Golf Academy in Raleigh, NC, explains how to avoid coming “over the top” in the downswing. Watch and get Hermanized as he defines coming “over the top”, then explains what it means to be “in the slot.” Herman reveals how players get caught outside the swing plane (over the top) on the downswing, then shows how to fix it while following along with one of his actual students taking a lesson. Hint the secret is all about the “bump” and where you point the handle. Be sure to leave a comment with suggestions for future videos.
February 20th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
@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
February 20th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
@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.
February 20th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
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…
February 20th, 2012 at 7:02 pm
@Excaliburxxxxxx? Awesome! Thanks for commenting. – Herman
February 20th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
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.
February 20th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
@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.
February 20th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
@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.
February 20th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
@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.
February 20th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
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.
February 20th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
@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.
February 20th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
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!
February 20th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
@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
February 20th, 2012 at 10:48 pm
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??
February 20th, 2012 at 10:59 pm
@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!
February 20th, 2012 at 11:33 pm
@dinorell You nailed? it!!! Good luck. – Herman
February 21st, 2012 at 12:09 am
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
February 21st, 2012 at 12:57 am
@MrDoobie834 Thanks for? the compliment and congratulations on a good round.
February 21st, 2012 at 1:19 am
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
February 21st, 2012 at 2:18 am
@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
February 21st, 2012 at 3:17 am
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?
February 21st, 2012 at 3:51 am
@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.
February 21st, 2012 at 4:31 am
one of the best OTT vids? out there on youtube
February 21st, 2012 at 4:39 am
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?
February 21st, 2012 at 5:00 am
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:(
February 21st, 2012 at 5:26 am
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:(