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Some golfers think they need more distance or more accuracy in their game. Others feel like the short game will unlock the lower scores.
However, we can all agree that a consistent golf swing is the most important factor in playing better golf.
Consistent golf swings are the key to lower scores, and you can have one if you want.
Of course, having the same golf swing every time you put a club in your hand is challenging, but consistency is achievable.
I will show you what I’ve done to gain more consistency in my swing and some drills I still use to check in on my positions and ensure I’m never coming over the top.
Why Does a Consistent Golf Swing Matter?
Benefits like higher swing speed, increased accuracy, and more control will motivate you to work on a consistent golf swing. However, the thing that I find to be most helpful about a consistent golf swing is the ability to diagnose and then correct issues in your swing.
You can make changes that positively impact your golf game when you have some consistency.
For golfers who swing it a different way every day, this becomes almost impossible! So, if you are tired of fixing a hook one week and a slice the next, consistency will make a big difference in your game.
How to Get a Consistent Golf Swing
Depending on what your strengths and weaknesses are, your path to consistency in golf can vary. I’ve put together some of the things that have helped me become a more consistent player and, eventually, a scratch golfer.
Make Sure Everything Else Is Consistent
I always said this to students: “How can you expect your body to repeat the same thing every time if you continually give it mixed signals.”
Essentially if you walk up to hit a shot, take three seconds and swing, or you stand behind it and develop a solid pre-shot routine, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that you repeat this process every single time.
My pre-shot routine is the same every time, my ball position is consistent, my weight distribution is consistent, and even my swing thought is consistent (at least throughout a round).
When all of the things that surround your swing are consistent and repeated, you will have a much better chance of repeating your golf swing.
Check Your Swing Plane
The swing plane could be causing issues that cause you to come over the top or even get the club a little too shallow. Don’t expect to find much consistency in your golf game unless your swing is on plane (or close to being on plane).
Practicing swing plane using an alignment stick placed in the ground is one of the best ways to ensure you stay on track.
Most golfers get off plane almost as soon as they take the club back. Get a low and slow takeaway that stays on plane, and the rest of the swing becomes easier.
Learn What Your Body Is Doing
I’m a big believer in taking videos of your golf swing. You don’t have to be Butch Harmon to see the mistakes you are making in your golf swing. The bigger mistake is not knowing where your club or body is positioned.
When I first started teaching golf, I had a traditional video camera and a laptop that weighed about 20 pounds. The wires were everywhere, and video editing and analyzing tools were nothing like what they are today.
The modern golfer can simply whip out their phone and, within seconds, have valuable information about their golf swing. Study your game a bit, and it will pay off.
Stay More Connected
Extension in the golf swing is a good thing. Having the club extended, and a wider arc can get you more power. However, losing the connection between your arms and your core is a problem.
Many amateur golfers struggling with consistency or coming over the top have difficulty keeping their body connected to their arms when they swing.
One of my favorite drills for this is to put a headcover under your arms and take a few swings.
Your armpit holds the head cover in place, and if you try to take the club off the plane or let your arms do their own thing, you will likely have less consistency in your game.
Check Your Wrist Position
The clubface of your golf club will determine the direction your shot goes. So if you hit a shot to the right, you had a clubface open to the path; if you hit a shot to the left, you had a clubface close to the path.
For players that struggle with keeping this clubface angle consistent, it’s a good idea to check on the wrist position in the golf swing.
The wrist position extends and flexes throughout the swing. Players that can maintain a more consistent wrist position and have more of a bowed wrist at impact often tend to have more consistent ball striking.
I suggest checking your wrist position at setup to ensure it is a bit more neutral (not bowed or flexed) and then checking it at the top again and just before impact. The best ball strikers have that flat left wrist making it easier to hit down and through the ball.
Balance Throughout The Swing
Balance is an issue for all golfers, but it is especially difficult for juniors and seniors. Juniors are still a little wobbly on their feet, and their one goal is to try hitting it as far as possible.
Seniors can probably relate to the same issues! There is a little less balance and a desire to hit the ball further than ever.
However, the balance must be strong to gain more consistency in the golf swing. If your legs can act as a stable support base when you swing, the chance of returning the club head to square increases.
To get more balance, make sure you do the following things:
- Don’t take the club head past parallel
- Spend some time off the course working on agility and strength training with flexibility exercises
- Get great golf shoes with strong stability and traction
- Make sure your golf swing tempo is what it should be, don’t be afraid to swing fast, but if your tempo gets thrown off, you will see negative impacts
🎯 Tips and Drills to Fix Over The Top Swing
Swinging over the top is one of the most common swing faults that golfers will encounter. When you swing the club over the top, it’s no longer on the proper plane, and much work must be done just to hit the ball straight.
Luckily since many golfers have been through this already, there are some great drills to help you fix the problem.
Golf Club Alignment Stick Drill
This video showcases one of our favorite drills for a consistent golf swing. All you need to complete this one is a golf alignment stick. Position the alignment stick so that it sticks out of the ground about a foot or two behind you at setup.
On the golf backswing, your club will go under the stick; on the downswing, you will also be under the stick. In addition to being a great visual, the golf club alignment stick drill gives golfers the feeling they need to fix the problem for good.
Ball Outside Drill
If you don’t have an alignment stick, putting a ball just outside of the ball you are trying to hit is another excellent drill.
For this one, you will want to think about how you make contact with a ball from the inside or just square. With an over the top swing, you make contact with the upper right-hand portion of the ball or the outside.
Place the secondary ball in this area (where you don’t want to swing) and tell yourself NOT to hit it when you swing through. Again, the visual aid is sometimes, all golfers need to stay on the right track.
If you happen to hit both balls, you won’t be doing any damage; the golf ball will just go out into the driving range with the other one.
However, if having two balls there throws you off, you can replace the secondary ball with a golf tee and get the same effects.
Right Shoulder Low Drill
Many golfers who come over the top take their right shoulder (right-handed player) and start their downswing. This motion creates a position where the right shoulder is higher than the left shoulder, which becomes a problem.
Of course, you don’t want to over exaggerate this and dip into the ball, but you also want to ensure you let your right shoulder fall into place instead of throwing it over the top.
As with most drills, this one works best when you go up to the top, check it, up to the top, check it, and then up to the top and hit it. In other words, rehearse it a few times before making contact with the ball.
Helpful Golf Training Aids To Fix Over The Top
Training aids can also help you understand how to fix your over the top golf swing. Many of the same things these training aids help develop are available when working with an alignment stick, a tee, or an extra golf ball.
Here are two of my favorite golf training aids that help with over the top golf swings.
Fun Pro Golf Slice Corrector
Updated on 2024-04-24
Swing Training Aid
The Fun Pro Golf Slice Corrector is made in the USA and helps eliminate your hook or slice.
This golf swing plane trainer was made for high-impact and will not easily break when hit.
While it is a simple design, it works for all skill levels, from low handicappers to high handicaps.
PROS
- Made in the USA
- Sturdy
- Lightweight, easy to take with you to home or golf course
- Adjustable for different golfers needs
CONS
- Pricey
We may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.
EyeLine Golf Speed Trap
Updated on 2024-04-24
Swing Training Aid
The EyeLine Speed Trap is a compact training aid designed to improve your golf game in two ways: by helping you hit longer and straighter shots. It has a soft carry bag and features rods that provide immediate feedback on your club’s path.
Using the Speed Trap, you can trap the ball and create a clean divot while achieving solid contact, optimal trajectory, and excellent spin. The polycarbonate base indicates whether you are hitting the ball fat or scooping it.
Swinging on-plane is another benefit of using the Speed Trap. Practicing your swing between the speed rods will help you achieve a straighter and longer shot by eliminating hooks and slices. Additionally, it is a useful tool for practicing chip and pitch shots.
If you tend to slice the ball, the Speed Trap can help you cure it by placing a rod on the back top corner and front inside corner (for right-handed golfers). The bright alignment stripe makes it easy to see the intended line.
The Speed Trap is versatile and can be adjusted to match your skill level. It is a quick and efficient way to improve your swing path, whether you’re looking to tame a wicked slice or develop a baby draw. With precision alignment and the ability to change the position of the rods, the Speed Trap is an excellent golf training aid for golfers of all levels.
PROS
- Helpful for all types of handicap golfers
- Comes with a carrying case
- Sturdy, but it is breakable
CONS
- Pricey, but most reviewers find that it works wonders for their ball striking.
We may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about inconsistent golf swings. It’s worth mentioning here that if your swing is inconsistent, you are not the only one!
Why is my swing so inconsistent?
Golfers have inconsistent swings because of inconsistent setups, takeaways that are not repeated, and an overall lack of understanding of what must be done to strike the golf ball well.
Learn more about your game, practice consistency in all other areas, and you will be well on the way to being a more consistent player.
Do some people never get better at golf?
Some people never get better at golf, the same way some people never get better at running, pickleball, or cooking. For golfers truly working on learning, adapting, and making necessary improvements to their game, progress will be made.
How do you become a more consistent golfer?
Start by taking the same pre-shot routine and setting up each and every time you play. Doing this allows your brain to turn on golf swing mode and get to a place where it can repeat the same action over and over again. In addition, take a video of your swing often to understand how it works and how you will become a better player.
How many years does it take to be a good golfer?
On average, becoming a good golfer takes 3 to 5 years. Some players will learn it in less than a year. However, one key factor in golfers that can improve quickly is time. If you put the time in, you will be rewarded for it.
Do any PGA pros swing over the top?
Does an over the top swing cause a slice?
An over the top swing can cause a slice, but it is not the only reason for a slice. An open clubface at impact causes a slice, and when swinging over the top, the clubhead often gets delivered in an open position.
Final Thoughts on a Consistent Golf Swing
A repeatable golf swing takes time to develop. However, it’s your only choice if you want a consistent golf game. I feel as though body awareness and paying a little more attention to detail is the best place to start for amateur players.
Once you know your typical club path and how your clubface approaches impact, it will be easier for you to control it and develop consistency. One of the main reasons that golfers take lessons is to develop some consistency in their game, and we certainly can’t blame anyone for that!
