The mistake Payne Stewart said the ‘majority’ of amateurs make while playing golf and the ‘great’ drill required to fix it

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Most amateur golfers often struggle with a slice. Watching the ball fly off uncontrollably to the right sends fear into most part-time players.

But what causes the issue? Often, a slice is caused by an over-the-top motion, resulting in the club face pointing right and the path operating in an out-to-in motion. The ball will start straight and move right or start right and go even further right; it’s a shot which must be avoided for those looking to shave shots of their scores.

Thankfully, there are numerous ways for a golfer to alleviate the issue. Tony Finau believes the grip is essential when avoiding an over-the-top technique, and Jack Nicklaus highlighted the importance of the set-up.

Two-time US Open winner Payne Stewart went one step further in an old social media clip and shared a clever drill that can fix an over-the-top motion.

Payne Stewart’s over-the-top fix

Stewart–who tragically passed away in 1999–planted a shaft behind his ball, meaning that if he struck the ball on the outside, the shaft would get in the way, giving him immediate feedback.

“I wanna feel the club coming from the inside and working outside,” Stewart said.

“Not this way. When I put the ball underneath the shaft and I get over the top of it, I am going to hit the shaft, and that’s what the majority of amateurs do. This would be a great drill for them. They come this way, just like that.”

What else can you do to fix an over-the-top swing?

An alternative to Stewart’s shaft drill is to use a headcover. Some other fundamentals could also help prevent the motion.

Firstly, looking to square off the shoulders when setting up will naturally promote an in-to-out path.

Another option for amateur golfers to try involves reducing grip pressure. Less pressure allows the club face to be controlled better, allowing the face to point in the desired direction.

Finally, another option when practicing is to shorten the swing. A prolonged backswing can sometimes cause a world of over-the-top issues.