Adam Smith, a GOLF Teacher to Watch, advises golfers struggling with an over-the-top swing to envision “skipping a rock” to correct their swing flaw. Smith suggests that the over-the-top move is a result of the body’s right side taking over on the downswing, lifting the right elbow at the top of the backswing and moving the right shoulder forward and over on the downswing. This causes the club to get off-plane, leading to a swing path that is too far to the left of the target line and resulting in a slice. To fix this issue, Smith recommends returning to childhood memories of skipping a rock across a pond to help feel the sensation of staying on-plane.
Skipping a rock involves keeping the right elbow down, swinging the right arm and shoulder under, and creating an inside-to-out swing plane, which is the opposite of an over-the-top move. By mimicking the motion used to skip a rock, golfers can shift their club path to be more inside-to-out, resulting in straighter and longer shots. Smith encourages golfers to notice how the right side of the body swings underneath and how the path of the throwing arm is inside-to-out while skipping a rock, and replicate this feeling in their golf swing. This simple visualization technique can help golfers improve their swing and overcome the over-the-top flaw.
In his role as a GOLF Teacher to Watch, Adam Smith demonstrates the rock-skipping motion to help golfers understand the correct golf swing path. By utilizing this visualization technique, golfers can improve their swing mechanics and work towards a more accurate and consistent ball-striking performance. Smith’s approach focuses on keeping things fun and loose, making the learning process enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels. By tapping into childhood memories and simple movements like skipping a rock, golfers can develop a better understanding of the correct swing plane and make necessary adjustments to their technique.
Golfers who struggle with an over-the-top swing, especially off the tee with their driver, can benefit from Smith’s advice on skipping a rock to correct their swing flaw. This common swing issue can occur at any skill level, leading to inconsistent ball-striking and a tendency towards a slice. By implementing Smith’s visualization technique and focusing on the sensation of staying on-plane, golfers can make significant improvements to their swing mechanics and overall performance on the course. With the guidance of a reputable instructor like Adam Smith, golfers can address their swing flaws and work towards a more efficient and effective golf swing.
In addition to Smith’s advice on correcting the over-the-top swing, golfers can explore various training aids and practice tools to further enhance their game. Products like the Rukket Sports Pathfinder Impact Mat™ offer golfers a versatile training mat that combines features of an impact mat and swing path trainer. This mat helps golfers identify and correct common swing problems like hooks and slices, ensuring clean contact with the ball and proper swing plane alignment. By incorporating training aids like the Pathfinder Impact Mat™ into their practice routine, golfers can accelerate their improvement and develop a more consistent and reliable golf swing.
