fixing over the top swing

Question
I have an over the top swing which i believe is due to previous back swing issues. I am pretty sure i have the backswing in the correct place now but my body still wants to swing over the top.

I am practicing heavily trying to get the club to come from the inside, swinging with my right elbow coming back into the ribs etc.

I have been practicing for about a week now and I have got to the point where i am having to feel two things happening in my downswing. Firstly i have to feel that my right arm is swinging back behind my body (this allows me to put the club back on plane) and then i swing through the ball to the right.

I have noticed my divots have started to straighten out and even go right and the ball flight is mainly pushed out to the right.

I am not so wooried about ball flight at the moment as I can woirk on that later.

My question is, do my "feelings" seem correct and what other advice do you have for me in this regard. I am a feel player, i prefer to understand what my body should feel as opposed to what it should be doing.

Thanks for any help.

Jason.

Answer
Hi Jason:  You seem to be on the correct course of action.  I would suggest checking three things, all of which can cause you to come over the top.
1.  Your alignment:  Your feet need to be on a line parallel to the target line, which means they will be lined up left of target.  If you're aimed to the right of target, your reflexes cause you to come over the top to get it on line.
2.  Check the distance you stand from the ball.  You should stand far enough from it to allow your arms to hang loosely from the shoulders.  If you're too close, you'll be pulling in to hit it solid.  Pulling in = pulling left= over the top.
3.  Balance:  If you're not on the balls of the feet at address, you're balance is compromised as well as your ability to "get behind it" in your backswing.  Because this puts you ahead of yourself as you start down, you'll cast the club to catch it up with your body and this leads to an over-the-top move.

All this is explained at my website and I encourage you to visit as usually these 3 things above are all occurring to some degree at the same time.

Good luck Jason.

Fairways and Greens,
John
www.golfnutts.com