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Downswing and TransitionSlice (correction of…) Driver Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 13 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Coming Over the Top: The Left Arm Checkpoint

What if your “over-the-top” move actually came from your left arm? For IdeeGolf, Fabien Gabarre demonstrates a simple, easy-to-spot tip: keep your left arm in line with your feet on the downswing to stop slicing with the driver.

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Fabien Gabarre
Fabien Gabarre · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.
Schedule · Step 6 of 7Fix Your Slice in 7 StepsConsidered successful when: With the driver, the ball no longer veers sharply to the left before curving.
Step 7 →

To be continued

8 minSame problemRushed Downswing in Golf: The Step DrillChris Ryan · Beginner / Intermediate7 minSame problem"Head-Against-the-Wall" Golf Drill: Rotation and DownswingCharles Marchildon · Beginner / Intermediate5 minFrom the same proLaunch It Higher as a Senior: Higher = LongerFabien Gabarre · Intermediate / Seniors

What the lesson shows

Fabien Gabarre points out that a slice always results from a open face, relative to the target or relative to the path. The most common case: a path from the outside to the inside. And the so-called “shoulder move” is actually a misnomer: it is first and foremost the left arm extending away from the body and moves outward on the downswing, pulling the right shoulder with it.

Why do this? It’s believed that pushing the club outward with force generates speed; in reality, you use up that speed too early and end up lacking it at impact. Instead of placing a sock under his right armpit, he works on his weak side: on the downswing, Keep your left arm in line with your feet. He demonstrates the exercise in slow motion, then at normal speed, and the ball goes straight. He also recommends performing the movements slowly so that the body can memorize the motion.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Set up the club as usual.
  2. At the top of your swing, check the alignment of your feet.
  3. Lower yourself slowly, keeping your left arm in line with your feet, without moving it to the left.
  4. Keep going until you reach the finish.
  5. Practice in slow motion, first without the ball and then with the ball.
  6. Switch to real-time speed while keeping the same reference point.

Key Takeaways

A slice is a shot that opens up relative to the target or the flight path.
The “shoulder move” is mainly a left arm that swings outward.
Swinging the club outward doesn't generate speed—you lose it on impact.
We're working on the weaker side: the left arm for a right-hander.
The reference points are visible: the line of the feet and the left arm.
Slow motion helps the brain memorize the correct movement.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Extend your left arm away from your body as you begin the downswing.
  • Trying to correct the shoulders, when it's actually the arms that move them.
  • To generate speed by swinging the club outward.
  • Focus only on your strong side and ignore your left arm.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Slow-motion swings, left arm in line with the feet
  2. A few slow-motion shots, then at actual speed
  3. On the course: a practice swing to check your alignment
  4. Fabien's variation: a 6-iron played from 100 m instead of 180 m

Your Questions

What is an over-the-top move in golf?

It is the right shoulder that moves outward at the start of the downswing, creating an outside-in path. Fabien Gabarre shows that it actually follows the left arm as it moves away from the body: that’s what you need to keep an eye on.

Should you tuck a sock or a towel under your right armpit?

That's not the approach taken here. Rather than blocking the right side, the video focuses on the left arm—the weak side for a right-hander.

What about left-handed people?

The video uses the "weak side" as a reference: the left side for right-handed people, the right side for left-handed people. The reference point is therefore shifted to the right arm.

Can we use this marker on the course?

Yes, as a practice swing. Some pros exaggerate this motion before taking their shot to make sure their arm doesn't swing too far outside.

Learn More

All “Downhill and Transition” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Slice” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Slice and Early-Opening Shoulders: The Left Arm StopLeft arm fixed, right arm passing under: you learn to keep the right shoulder low and finish high, instead of shoulders opening flat. The Alignment Stick Drill to Fix Your SliceCome down on a 4 o'clock line and exit at 10 o'clock, using an alignment stick planted on the range. The Free-Kick Image: From Slice to DrawThe image of Platini's free kick explains the slice and the draw, followed by three adjustments: grip, swinging outward, and weight on the right foot. Fabien GabarreAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Fabien Gabarre). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

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