Impact Bag Obstacle & Wall-to-Wall Shallowing Drill (Preventing Over-The-Top)

Before you start

• Place an impact bag (or a pillow/rolled-up towel) one foot behind the golf ball.
• Align the edge of the impact bag so it is directly in line with the golf ball.

Movement sequence

1. Set up with proper spine tilt behind the ball.
2. Make a backswing and feel the club get deep on a back wall line.
3. Swing downward and outward toward a front wall line, clearing an alley to miss the impact bag.
4. Hit the ball from the inside without striking the bag.

Key points

• Club path travels from the inside to create a nice power draw.
• Impact bag is successfully missed during the downswing.
• Extra space is given initially and gradually reduced as comfort increases.

Common mistakes

Leaning in front and getting steep on the downswing, causing the club to chop directly into the impact bag. Attempting too narrow a clearance immediately without giving extra space at the beginning.

Practice notes

Start with extra space between the club path and the impact bag, scooting it forward gradually if prone to over-the-top moves. Perform 5 repetitions of the bag-clearing drill.