No, it's not the sh-word, although just the mere thought of that term sends shivers up and down any golfer's spine. No, the phrase that I am referring to seems to go hand in hand with SLICES, or really bad PULLS. The phrase I am referring to is: OVER THE TOP.

We've all heard it, and we've all seen the results that this set of mechanics can produce. Unfortunately, there is no cure all or fix all for this set of circumstances. Different body types, different strength and flexibility types, different belief systems of how the golf swing works all need specific fixes. Having said that, I want you to consider the following as an alternative to quitting the game of golf and picking up bowling.

Frequently, an over the top swing is caused by the upper body and arms unwinding first while the lower body is quiet or inactive during the downswing. Our upper body spins too aggressively and our shoulders are frequently far too open at impact. This causes the golf club to travel on an incorrect path on the downswing (or swing plane) which results in the golf ball initially starting off line.

Based upon where the face of our golf club is at on impact, we can get slices that bounce off woods or houses on the right side of the fairway, or straight pulls, which usually emerge after we've finally aimed left enough to allow for our slice to curve back into the fairway. Instead of having our upper body start the downswing, we want our lower body to be the instigator.

To help change that mechanical debauchery, try the following drill:
1. Grab one golf club from your bag and head on into the living room and stand next to the couch.
2. Get into your golf posture, with your toes parallel to the front part of the cushions and your target hip approximately one-inch away from the arm of the couch. Hold your golf club across the back of your shoulders.
3. Make a full backswing and stop at the top.

Here's the key to this drill:
While keeping your back facing the couch (or your imaginary target), let your target hip touch the arm of the couch BEFORE you let your upper body unwind. To exaggerate this feel, try to turn your shirt buttons (or sternum) over your non-target foot while your lower body (your target hip) tries to touch the arm of the couch.

If this is done correctly, you'll probably need to start scheduling a weekly visit to your chiropractor. In all seriousness, you should start to feel like your upper body and lower body are traveling in opposite directions at the same time, which is a good thing for an over the top swinger. If you slow this drill down and take a closer look, understand that the lower body starts the downswing while giving the upper body a bit of incentive to change the sequence of when it starts to unwind. You'll begin to see a golf club being delivered on a better path which should lead to more shots staying on the golf course.

Give it a try in your house. Embrace and exaggerate it there before you bring it to the driving range. Give yourself that same bit of time to accept it on the driving range before bringing it to the golf course. Let it blend in slowly...patiently. Monitor the changes taking place in your motion. In a couple of months all your golfing buddies will want to know how you did it!

Good luck!