Why is the golf swing inside out?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 20, 2026
Golfers with an inside-to-out swing can push the ball out to the right, or hook the ball to the left. Poor alignment, too much shoulder or hip turn on the backswing and a downswing with too much hip slide will cause an inside-to-out swing.
Should the golf swing be inside out?
A golf swing should be inside out as opposed to outside in. The inside out golf swing promotes a bit more of a draw ball flight, and the distance is more consistent. The outside in can bring an unpredictable slice to some players.
Why does inside out have a swing?
If you take the club back on an inside movement, it creates a more over the top move. But if you take it more on the outside on your backswing, it makes it easier to reroute the club on the downswing. A good example is Rory Mcilroy who has one of the best swings on tour.
Why can't I swing inside out?
You're Not Creating Space. Your position at the top can set up a weak downswing. As you swing to the top, maintain space between your right hand and right ear, or you won't have enough room to swing down from the inside. This will also correctly move the top of your spine away from the ball.
How can I improve my swinging path?
To shallow your swing path, focus on the right arm. As you swing down, the right elbow should drop below the left arm (below). When you do this, you'll notice the right side of your body contracts, and the hybrid or fairway wood approaches the ball on a flatter angle in relation to the ground.
43 related questions foundHow do I stop my golf swinging inside out?
How to Cure an Inside-to-Out Golf Swing
- Set up to the ball with your hips and shoulders parallel to your target line. ...
- Swing the club back until your left shoulder is under your chin, if you are a right-handed golfer. ...
- Start your downswing by turning your hips toward the target. ...
- Full hip turn at the finish.
Do any pro golfers swing out to in?
Craig Stadler, Craig Parry and many other champion golfers swing this way. Bruce Lietzke made a wonderful career on the PGA Tour with an “in-and-over” move.
Why do amateurs come over the top?
Most amateurs get to the point where they've got so much pressure on the trail side that they can't make a shift to the front side and get caught behind the ball. This causes the arms and hands to have to flip through impact to catch up.
What is over swinging?
Many golfers have a problem with overswinging. An overswing is when the club shaft goes beyond the point where it is parallel with the ground at the top of the backswing.
What causes an over the top golf swing?
Over the Top is perhaps the most common swing fault among high handicap golfers. It occurs due to an overuse of the upper body on the downswing. As a result the club will be thrown on the outside of the intended swing plane with the club head approaching the ball from outside to in.
How do you fix an over the top swing?
One of the best drills to use to fix an over-the-top swing is by taking an alignment stick and placing it in the ground about three feet behind your ball and in line with your target. Then, line the angle of the alignment stick up with your club shaft at address (you may need a friend to help you with this part).
How do you cure an over the top swing?
Over-the-top golf swings bring the club to the ball from outside the swing plane. An excellent way to fix this is to focus on keeping your club head inside to square, then back inside during the course of your swing. You can use a drill to practice keeping your club inside.
Why can't I stop swinging over the top?
The problem with that is that tense muscles, at the top of your downswing, will cause your arms to push away from your body and come over the top. Too much tension in your golf swing will, almost always, result in an over the top downswing.
How do you know when to stop backswing?
The outside of your front foot (left foot for a right-handed golfer) should be right up against the wall. Then, take some practice backswings. If your club head hits the wall at the top of the backswing, then you've gone too far.
How do I stop from over swinging with the driver?
The way to avoid a long arm swing is to focus on pushing your hands away from your head. This simple thought promotes a wider arc, so you can easily swing the club back in front of your body on the downswing. Concentrate on keeping your right arm wide, which will keep your left arm wide.
Where should your backswing stop?
That rule, the backswing ought to stop when the shaft of the club is parallel to the ground. The reason for this, is that it tends to be the perfect moment where you can both create enough club head speed while still maintaining your balance. Once you start losing speed or balance, you've gone too far or too short.
Is a shorter backswing better in golf?
Beginner golfers can significantly benefit from a shorter swing. A shorter swing will help to keep the game more straightforward from the beginning. What is this? As you get better and the golf swing feels more natural, you can slowly increase until the club is parallel to the ground at the top of your backswing.
Who has the shortest backswing in golf?
Jon Rahm has one of the shortest backswings in golf. Every golf swing has some unique flair. Like the grooves and curves of a fingerprint, no two swings are alike.
Can you play golf with a half swing?
The half swing – which can generate about 75% of your usual distance – may be your best option. Practice half-swing shots on the driving range before moving on to the full swing. Ingrain the fundamentals of swinging from 9:00 to 3:00 and you'll have the makings of a solid game.