Using Alignment Sticks to Stop Coming Over the Top: 5 Fixes

Updated November 2026

Coming over the top, the move where your club swings outside the target line on the way down, is one of the most common causes of slices and pulled-push misses. Using alignment sticks to stop coming over the top gives you a visual guide for your swing path, so you can feel the difference between an inside-to-square path and an outside pull. This guide walks through a setup, a drill, and the checks that tell you the change is working.

Why Coming Over the Top Happens

When the downswing starts with the shoulders and arms rather than the lower body, the club is pulled outside the plane. The club then drops onto a steep, outside path that cuts across the ball. Many golfers feel they are swinging inside when they are actually still coming over the top. Alignment sticks expose that gap because you can see exactly where the club travels.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 8 Best SuperStroke Golf Alignment Sticks for Better Putting (2026).

Setting Up Your Alignment Sticks

You need two sticks and a flat hitting area. Set one stick on the ground pointing at your target, then place the second stick just outside the ball on the target line, angled slightly toward your body. The outside stick acts as a guide for your takeaway and downswing path.

1. Place the target-line stick on the ground, aimed at your target.
2. Place a second stick parallel to the first, about 2 to 3 inches outside the ball on your side of the line.
3. Set the ball just inside the target line, so the club path has room to approach from inside.
4. Take your stance with feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line.

Drills to Stop the Over-the-Top Move

Start with slow swings and no ball. Take the club back, then make a half-speed downswing while watching the club head. If it drops toward the outside stick or crosses it, the path is too steep and too far outside. Adjust by starting the downswing with a small lower-body push toward the target, then let the arms follow.

Step-by-Step Drill

• Place one stick along the ground and a second stick angled across the swing path just outside the ball.
• Make 10 slow swings, keeping the club head inside the second stick on the downswing.
• Hit 5 balls at half speed, focusing on the club passing inside the stick.
• Progress to full swings once the path stays inside for at least 8 of 10 reps.

Checking Your Progress

Film your swing from down-the-line and check where the club crosses the target line. A club that crosses the line well before impact is still over the top. Your ball flight should shift from a left-to-right slice toward a straighter or slight draw-like shape, depending on your face angle. If the miss now goes left, the face may be closed, so check your grip and face alignment next.

Common Mistakes

• Placing the outside stick too close to the ball, which causes an overly steep takeaway.
• Trying to swing inside by throwing the hands left, which creates a hook or pull.
• Rushing the downswing, which pulls the arms back into the over-the-top move.
• Using the sticks only at the range without checking your path on the course.
• Ignoring the lower body. Starting the downswing with the hips is what makes the inside path possible.

Recommended Gear

• Golf alignment sticks: Two sticks of equal length make it easy to set a clear target line and outside path guide. View on Amazon
• Swing path training aid: A training aid that attaches to the club shaft gives feedback on swing plane during full swings. View on Amazon

FAQ

How long does it take to stop coming over the top?

Most golfers notice a change within a few range sessions if they practice the drill two or three times a week. Lasting change usually takes several weeks of consistent practice.

Should I use one stick or two?

Two sticks give a clearer picture of both the target line and the outside path, which is why most drills use a pair. One stick can work for a quick check, but it does not show the path as well.

Can alignment sticks fix a slice on their own?

They help by showing the path, but a slice can also come from an open clubface or a weak grip. If the slice persists after the path improves, check your face angle and grip next.

Conclusion

Using alignment sticks to stop coming over the top works because it gives you a direct visual cue for the path your club travels. Set the sticks carefully, run the slow-swing drill, and confirm the change on video. Once the path stays inside consistently, the ball should start flying straighter.

Related reading

• Using Alignment Sticks for Golf: A Step-by-Step Guide to Straighter Shots
• Titleist Golf Alignment Sticks: 3 Best Picks Compared (2026)
• Maxfli Collapsible Alignment Sticks: 3 Best Picks Compared (2026)
• Carbon Fiber Alignment Sticks: 8 Best for Putting Practice in 2026
• 9 Best Blue Brick Alignment Sticks for Putting Practice (2026)

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