An outside-in golf swing occurs when the club head comes from outside the target line and cuts across the ball at impact, resulting in a slice or a pull shot. This swing flaw can be frustrating for golfers and can significantly affect their performance on the course. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix an outside-in golf swing.
- Check Your Grip: The grip is the foundation of the swing, and an incorrect grip can lead to an outside-in swing. Make sure that you are gripping the club correctly. A neutral grip, where the V’s of both hands point to the right shoulder, can help to promote a square clubface at impact.
- Work on Your Takeaway: A proper takeaway is crucial in avoiding an outside-in swing. Focus on keeping the clubhead inside the target line on your backswing. A simple drill to practice this is to place a headcover or an alignment stick just outside the ball and make sure that your clubhead stays inside it during the takeaway.
- Practice Your Downswing: The downswing is where most outside-in swings occur. To prevent this, make sure that you are initiating the downswing with your lower body, not your arms. This will help to create a more natural inside-to-out swing path, resulting in a more solid contact with the ball.
- Use Alignment Aids: Alignment aids can be helpful in fixing an outside-in swing. Place an alignment stick or a club on the ground pointing towards the target, and another one pointing to the right of your target, forming a “gate.” This will help you to swing on the correct path and avoid cutting across the ball.
- Seek Professional Help: Finally, if you are struggling to fix your outside-in swing, consider seeking help from a golf instructor. A professional can provide you with personalized instruction and drills to help you correct your swing flaw.
- Check Your Posture: Poor posture can lead to an outside-in swing. Make sure that you are standing tall with your knees slightly bent and your back straight. Your arms should hang naturally, and the club should be resting on the ground behind the ball.
- Slow Down Your Swing: An outside-in swing can also result from an over-aggressive swing. Focus on taking a slower, smoother swing to promote a more natural inside-to-out swing path. Try to maintain a consistent tempo throughout your swing.
- Use a Stronger Grip: A stronger grip can help to promote a more natural inside-to-out swing path. Experiment with different grip positions until you find one that works for you. A stronger grip can also help to prevent a slice.
- Practice with a Towel: Place a towel under your armpits and hold it in place with your arms. This will help to keep your arms close to your body, promoting a more natural inside-to-out swing path. It will also help you to maintain a more connected swing.
- Focus on Your Follow-Through: A proper follow-through is crucial in avoiding an outside-in swing. Make sure that you are finishing your swing with a full release of the club and a high finish. This will help to promote a more natural inside-to-out swing path.
- Adjust Your Ball Position: The position of the ball in your stance can affect your swing path. If you’re consistently hitting outside-in shots, try moving the ball back in your stance. This can help to promote a more inside-to-out swing path.
- Use a Flatter Swing Plane: An outside-in swing can also result from a steep swing plane. Try to flatten out your swing plane by taking the club back more around your body, rather than up and down. This can help to promote a more natural inside-to-out swing path.
- Avoid “Casting“: “Casting” is a common swing flaw where the club is released too early, resulting in an outside-in swing. To avoid casting, focus on maintaining your wrist angle throughout your swing, and don’t release the club until after impact.
- Improve Your Fitness: A lack of strength or flexibility can also contribute to an outside-in swing. Consider incorporating strength training and flexibility exercises into your routine to improve your overall fitness and golf swing.
- Practice with Drills: There are many drills you can practice to help fix an outside-in swing. For example, try placing an alignment stick or a club just outside the ball, forming a barrier that forces you to swing on the correct path. You can also practice hitting shots with a towel under your lead arm, which can help to promote a more connected swing.
Common causes of an outside in golf swing
| Cause | Description | Consequences | Solution | Drill or exercise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overactive upper body | When the upper body leads the downswing, causing the club to come over the top of the swing and create an outside in path. | Slices, pulls, inconsistent ball flight | Focus on lower body rotation, feel the arms drop in the slot | Place a headcover under left armpit and swing without it falling |
| Grip too weak | A weak grip can lead to an open clubface and outside in swing path. | Slices, hooks, inconsistent ball flight | Strengthen grip, focus on grip pressure | Practice holding the club with more pressure in the fingers |
| Lack of shoulder turn | When the shoulders don’t turn enough on the backswing, the club can come over the top on the downswing. | Slices, pulls, inconsistent ball flight | Focus on turning shoulders fully | Place a club across shoulders and make a full turn without moving |
| Too steep on downswing | When the downswing is too steep, the club can come over the top and create an outside in path. | Slices, pulls, inconsistent ball flight | Focus on shallow approach to the ball | Place a tee in the ground and practice brushing it with the club |
| Early release | When the club is released too early on the downswing, it can cause an outside in path. | Slices, pulls, inconsistent ball flight | Delay release, feel clubface staying square | Practice hitting shots with a 3/4 backswing, full finish |
Techniques for fixing an outside in golf swing
| Technique | Description | Benefits | Drawbacks | Drill or exercise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flatter swing plane | A flatter swing plane can help prevent the club from coming over the top and creating an outside in swing path. | More consistent ball flight | Harder to hit high shots with a flat swing | Practice taking the club back low and slow |
| Inside takeaway | Starting the club on the inside on the takeaway can help prevent an outside in swing path. | More consistent ball flight | Harder to hit fades and slices with inside takeaway | Practice taking the club back inside, feeling the clubhead behind the hands |
| Delayed release | Delaying the release of the club can help prevent an outside in swing path. | More consistent ball flight | Harder to hit draws with delayed release | Practice hitting shots with a delayed release |
| Strong grip | A stronger grip can help prevent the clubface from being open at impact and causing an outside in swing path. | More consistent ball flight, more power | Harder to hit fades and slices with a strong grip | Practice holding the club with more pressure in the fingers |
| Lower body rotation | Rotating the lower body can help prevent the upper body from leading the downswing and causing an outside in path. | More consistent ball flight, more power | Harder to control ball flight with lower body rotation | Practice rotating the lower body on the downswing |
Common mistakes to avoid when trying to fix an outside in golf swing
| Mistake | Description | Consequences | Solution | Drill or exercise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overcompensating | Trying to fix an outside in swing path too quickly can lead to overcompensation and create new swing issues. | Inconsistent ball flight, frustration | Take it slow and focus on making small changes | Practice hitting short shots with a focus on technique |
| Ignoring the fundamentals | Neglecting the basics of grip, posture, and alignment can lead to an outside in swing path. | Inconsistent ball flight, frustration | Review and practice the fundamentals | Work on set up and alignment before every shot |
| Lack of practice and repetition | Trying to fix an outside in swing path without consistent practice can lead to inconsistent results. | Inconsistent ball flight, frustration, lack of improvement | Consistent practice and repetition with a focus on technique | Practice at the driving range and take lessons from a pro |
| Using the wrong equipment | Using the wrong golf clubs or equipment can lead to an outside in swing path. | Inconsistent ball flight, frustration, lack of power | Get fitted for clubs and equipment that suit your swing | Get a club fitting from a professional |
| Focusing too much on the swing mechanics | Focusing too much on the technical aspects of the swing can lead to overthinking and tension in the swing, causing an outside in path. | Inconsistent ball flight, frustration, lack of power | Focus on the target and making a fluid swing | Practice visualization and imagery to create a smooth swing flow |
Drills and exercises for fixing an outside in golf swing
| Drill or exercise | Description | Benefits | Drawbacks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swing path drill | Using alignment rods or a golf towel to create a visual guide for the correct swing path can help train the muscles to create a better path. | Improved swing path, more consistent ball flight, muscle memory | Can be difficult to use at first without proper guidance | Use a mirror or camera to monitor swing path |
| Club behind back drill | Placing a club behind the back can help prevent an outside in swing path by keeping the arms and body connected. | Improved swing plane, more consistent ball flight | Can be uncomfortable at first, may restrict movement | Start with small swings and work up to full swing |
| Weight shift drill | Focusing on the weight shift in the swing can help prevent the upper body from leading the downswing and causing an outside in path. | Improved lower body rotation, more consistent ball flight | Can be difficult to feel weight shift at first | Practice weight shift drills during warm-up |
| Impact bag drill | Hitting an impact bag can help train the muscles to square the clubface at impact and prevent an outside in swing path. | Improved ball flight, more consistent contact | Requires an impact bag or other suitable training aid | Use with guidance from a professional if needed |
| Slow motion swing drill | Practicing a slow motion swing can help train the muscles to make a better swing path and prevent an outside in path. | Improved swing path, muscle memory | Can be difficult to maintain proper form during slow motion | Start with small swings and work up to full |
Remember, fixing an outside-in golf swing takes time and practice. Be patient and focus on one area at a time. Use these tips to help you correct your swing flaw, and you’ll be hitting more fairways and lowering your scores in no time.
