The Over-the-Top Slice: Steep Transition
A high-spin shot that curves away from the target often traces to an over-the-top (OTT) movement fault: the club is thrown from outside-in on a steep plane instead of shallowing into the slot.
Often preceded by flying elbow fake turn; can trigger early extension as a defensive stand-up.
The same OTT shallowing sequence applies with driver — but ball position is forward and the target is ascending delivery. If slice persists with a shallow slot, check Driver Mechanics setup before adding speed.
Trains
- The Elbow Plane — shallowing corridor, trail elbow tuck
- Ground Reaction Forces — lower body leads; not shoulder spin from top
- The J-Curve Hand Path — release after slot entry
- Related faults: flying elbow, early extension
The Shoulder Plane Trap
From the top, many players fire the shoulders first. That throws the club onto the Shoulder Plane—steep and inside the hand path (see Elbow Plane for the delivery corridor).
- collision with turf looks likely
- face stays open; path swipes across the ball
- result: weak, spinning slice
More shoulder spin deepens the OTT pattern. Speed belongs to GRF from the ground up, not early shoulder rotation.
Shallowing Sequence
- : stable top position — Coil not arm lift
- Free-fall: arms drop before shoulders rotate
- Elbow tuck: trail elbow slots inward; shaft shallows onto Elbow Plane
- Rotate: with shaft in the corridor, core can accelerate safely
Movement Patterns
Run at 10% speed first.
- Pump Drill: three pumps from apex to slot, then rotate on the third
- Plane Station Connector: ceiling rod blocks steep path
- Sternum Axis Tracker: when flying elbow precedes OTT
- Wall Walk: if early extension co-occurs
Progression
- Sternum Tracker or towel connection — if fake turn present
- Pump Drill — map free-fall at 10%
- Plane Station — ceiling corridor at 30%
- Split-Grip + Exit Gate — release after slot is automatic
Grooving This Pattern
Grooving this pattern
The Over-the-Top Slice
Primary drill
Delivery rule
arms drop into the slot before rotation throws over the top.
Work through the three steps below in order—don't skip ahead.
If you get stuck
The Plane Station Connector (Prove It ceiling constraint)
1. Learn It
~10% of your max · no ball
Pump cycles — dead stop at , vertical drop, freeze at
arms drop into the slot before rotation throws over the top. — map geometry at checkpoints; no rush. After each rep: Shoulders do not pull from top on Pump 1
2. Prove It
~30–70% of your max · ball on
add a teed ball (optional)—Plane Station ceiling rod or Pump slot feel must clear without collision. Ball flight does not matter.
8 of 10 reps clear the rod or hold slot geometry without shoulder pull from the top
3. Play It
Up to 100% of your max · game speed
game speed, new target/club/lie (or distance and break on putting), and the full Pre-Shot Loop when ready.
Penetrating flight; full Pre-Shot Loop every rep—not a body-part checklist
Think descent (arms), shift (mass), then inward pull (J-Curve)—not one flat circle on a pane of glass.
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