Hi Paul Great explanation off crossing the line,had this all my life , still have not been able to stop , i had lessons and the golf pros still cant get me to stop during the lesson, look forward to trying your suggestions, i find i can swing good practise swings look good on video ,but when the ball gets in the way i swing completely different i cross the line at the top looks ugly, if my timing on that day i shoot in 70s if its off could be in the hi 80s, i only hit balls on range now if i have video i use to hit alot of balls i think i only ingraining the move more. i find i can almost get rid of the crossing over if i try to keep my grip pressure 1or 2 throughout swing is this a problem keeping grip pressure that light..
You are crossing the line because your hands (especially the right hand) is tightening at the top of the swing so yes, loosening your grip would be advisable. If you still can’t fix it using my tips just practice laying it off for a while. Laying it off is over done. Right now you are trying to get it down the line. When you do you will want to be comfortable which is across the line. So as much as you think you are fixing it you go back to what is comfortable. So why not lay it off. This is way more than you are used to so now if you try to get comfortable you will be down the line. Overdo it to make the change don’t just do the minimum.
I had a video taken and was surprised, as you said, that in fact I too “cross the line.” After studying your tips and my video, it doesn’t appear to me that I do any of the 3 causes you point out.
I did notice, however, that I am straightening my right leg on the backswing, and maybe that’s doing it.
My mail system will not let me mail a file over 25 mb to Pete, so I’ve asked him if there is another way to get the video to you guys.
Paul, how destructive is crossing the line in terms of what happens to the shot you’re hitting? I’m still struggling with hitting wayward shots mostly left, but sometimes push fades and slices with longer clubs. I’ve taken a video of my swing and I seem to be doing most things right as far as I can see, but I am quite obviously crossing the line. Should I be focusing on curing this before anything else, or would you think I’m still using my arms too much and crossing the line isn’t a big factor?
Of the 3 problems you describe in this tip, I’m sure I fall into the 3rd category, things looks good up to 3/4 back then my right wrist seems to straighten and push the club over.
It my not be destructive at all. It worked for Nancy Lopez and others but she was a tour pro probably using that swing for many years.
If you are doing number 3 then this would be using your arms which I am trying to get people to do. This is where your pulls are coming from too. So in your case it is a problem. Those who cross the line and don’t fix it should be hitting a nice draw due to attacking more from the inside. You aren’t coming down with the lower body to achieve this. Instead you are using the arms and starting down with them which is sending you over the top.
Curing crossing the line is one of the toughest things to fix in the swing. People have it so ingrained they can never stop doing it so it will take a lot of work. If you want to the draw while still crossing the line then you need to be turning your arms off and working on the lower body starting the downswing. Beware of pushes, push fade and duck hooks though if you take this route.
If you do want to fix it then you need to be laying it off at the top for about a month to truly get rid of crossing the line. I wouldn’t care about the ball or scores. I would just stay focused on getting rid of it. Then work on putting it back together once its gone.
To get the legs working with this move you need more lateral not rotation. The lateral will tilt your upper body more creating the path from the inside. Keep the wrists loose to square the face to the path and you have a nice draw on your hands.
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7 Responses to “Stop Crossing The Line At The Top Of The Backswing”
June 4, 2013
barrybowerHi Paul Great explanation off crossing the line,had this all my life , still have not been able to stop , i had lessons and the golf pros still cant get me to stop during the lesson, look forward to trying your suggestions, i find i can swing good practise swings look good on video ,but when the ball gets in the way i swing completely different i cross the line at the top looks ugly, if my timing on that day i shoot in 70s if its off could be in the hi 80s, i only hit balls on range now if i have video i use to hit alot of balls i think i only ingraining the move more. i find i can almost get rid of the crossing over if i try to keep my grip pressure 1or 2 throughout swing is this a problem keeping grip pressure that light..
June 5, 2013
Paul WilsonBarry,
Glad you liked it. Here is another tip I did on this topic:
How To Stop Crossing the Line: https://ignitiongolf.com/stop-crossing-the-line/
You are crossing the line because your hands (especially the right hand) is tightening at the top of the swing so yes, loosening your grip would be advisable. If you still can’t fix it using my tips just practice laying it off for a while. Laying it off is over done. Right now you are trying to get it down the line. When you do you will want to be comfortable which is across the line. So as much as you think you are fixing it you go back to what is comfortable. So why not lay it off. This is way more than you are used to so now if you try to get comfortable you will be down the line. Overdo it to make the change don’t just do the minimum.
February 5, 2015
BillFreemanWhat a great video and series of tips!
February 5, 2015
BillFreemanPaul,
I had a video taken and was surprised, as you said, that in fact I too “cross the line.” After studying your tips and my video, it doesn’t appear to me that I do any of the 3 causes you point out.
I did notice, however, that I am straightening my right leg on the backswing, and maybe that’s doing it.
My mail system will not let me mail a file over 25 mb to Pete, so I’ve asked him if there is another way to get the video to you guys.
Bill
February 5, 2015
Paul WilsonBill,
Straightening the right leg allows you to take it too deep inside. This can most certainly make it cross the line.
Flex Back Knee: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-back-knee
Flexed Back Knee Holding Knee: https://ignitiongolf.com/lower-body-stability/
Power: Keep the Flex In The Back Knee: https://ignitiongolf.com/power-back-knee/
How To Feel Stability In The Lower Body (back knee flex) https://ignitiongolf.com/lower-body-stability/
DRILL: Bounce On Back Knee: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-bounce-knee/
September 28, 2015
HarrisonCrecraftPaul, how destructive is crossing the line in terms of what happens to the shot you’re hitting? I’m still struggling with hitting wayward shots mostly left, but sometimes push fades and slices with longer clubs. I’ve taken a video of my swing and I seem to be doing most things right as far as I can see, but I am quite obviously crossing the line. Should I be focusing on curing this before anything else, or would you think I’m still using my arms too much and crossing the line isn’t a big factor?
Of the 3 problems you describe in this tip, I’m sure I fall into the 3rd category, things looks good up to 3/4 back then my right wrist seems to straighten and push the club over.
Many thanks
Harrison
September 29, 2015
Paul WilsonHarrison,
It my not be destructive at all. It worked for Nancy Lopez and others but she was a tour pro probably using that swing for many years.
If you are doing number 3 then this would be using your arms which I am trying to get people to do. This is where your pulls are coming from too. So in your case it is a problem. Those who cross the line and don’t fix it should be hitting a nice draw due to attacking more from the inside. You aren’t coming down with the lower body to achieve this. Instead you are using the arms and starting down with them which is sending you over the top.
Curing crossing the line is one of the toughest things to fix in the swing. People have it so ingrained they can never stop doing it so it will take a lot of work. If you want to the draw while still crossing the line then you need to be turning your arms off and working on the lower body starting the downswing. Beware of pushes, push fade and duck hooks though if you take this route.
If you do want to fix it then you need to be laying it off at the top for about a month to truly get rid of crossing the line. I wouldn’t care about the ball or scores. I would just stay focused on getting rid of it. Then work on putting it back together once its gone.
To get the legs working with this move you need more lateral not rotation. The lateral will tilt your upper body more creating the path from the inside. Keep the wrists loose to square the face to the path and you have a nice draw on your hands.
These may help:
How To Stop Flipping Through Impact: https://ignitiongolf.com/stop-flipping/
How To Check Your Lateral Hip Motion: https://ignitiongolf.com/check-lateral-hip-motion/
There Is Lateral Motion In The Downswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/lateral-motion-downswing/
Body Tilt – Left Right: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-pulling
Cures – Manually Tilt To Stop Pulling: https://ignitiongolf.com/manually-tilt-cure-pull/