Two swing path flaws account for the vast majority of amateur misses: whipping the club too far inside on the takeaway, and throwing the clubhead outside the line (over the top) on the downswing. Often, the first fault causes the second.
Golf Digest Best in State instructor and former PGA Tour caddie Jason Gandy demonstrates how to position the pathpal in two targeted locations outside the ball to fix both a flat inside takeaway and a steep over-the-top transition.
See the full step-by-step station on the Swing Path Fixer page, or watch Jason demonstrate the setup below.
The drill
Jason Gandy (Director of Instruction at Willow Creek Golf Club; 2024-2027: Golf Digest Best in State, Mini Tour: Former Professional Golfer, PGA Tour Caddie: Major Winner Y.E. Yang) uses the pathpal training system to give golfers immediate physical and visual feedback on every repetition.
This drill uses the pathpal to immediately correct common swing path errors, focusing on both the takeaway and the downswing. This addresses issues like taking the club too far inside, a "steep" handle raise, or coming "over the top," helping you establish a more consistent club path for better contact and direction
Setup
- Identify the Flaw: This setup is for golfers who take the club too far inside on the takeaway or come down with a steep, over-the-top path.
- Position the pathpal: Place the pathpal structure outside of the ball and slightly behind it. Goal: The pathpal should be set up where the club would collide with it if the golfer takes the club too far inside on the backswing.
- Path Correction Goal: The training aid acts as a barrier, forcing the golfer to initiate the backswing and takeaway straighter and more "on top" of the plane. For the downswing, the goal is to keep the club head and handle working more inward (less outward/steep) as it approaches impact, avoiding the structure.
- Identify the Flaw: This setup is for golfers who come over the top (casting or slicing motion) on the downswing, causing a steep attack angle and an out-to-in path.
- Position the pathpal: Move the pathpal further outside the ball and closer to the golfer (relative to the first setup). Goal: The pathpal should be positioned to intercept the club if the golfer throws the club head outside the line on the downswing.
- Path Correction Goal: The barrier forces the golfer to drop the club head under the swing plane during the transition and downswing. This encourages a shallower, more in-to-out path, which is essential for drawing the ball and adding power.
How to run the drill
- Start Slow (Rehearsal Swings): Perform slow-motion rehearsal swings without a ball. Feel the resistance and the boundary the pathpal creates.
- Execute the Swing: Take a normal swing, concentrating on avoiding contact with the pathpal throughout the entire motion (takeaway and/or downswing).
- Focus on Sensation: Drill 1: Feel like you are keeping the club on top of the plane on the takeaway and bringing the handle working inward on the downswing. Drill 2: Feel like you are learning how to lower the club underneath the pathpal to achieve a path that moves more to the right (for a right-handed golfer).
- Increase Speed: Once you can consistently make swings without hitting the aid, gradually increase your swing speed while maintaining the corrected path.
Place the pathpal slightly behind and outside the ball to keep the takeaway on top of the plane; move it slightly closer to you and further outside the ball to force the downswing to drop underneath into an inside-out slot.
Watch the drill
View the full guided drill on pathpal →
Why it works
Because takeaway plane and transition plane happen at different points in space, a single static obstacle isn't always enough. Some golfers need a barrier that keeps the clubhead from rolling behind them early, while others need an obstacle that intercepts an over-the-top cast from the top.
Diagnose whether your fault starts on the takeaway or in transition, then place the barrier where the error lives.
Jason Gandy's two-position protocol shows how adaptable the pathpal is on the range. In Setup 1, the unit sits outside and slightly behind the ball to encourage an on-plane takeaway and inward handle delivery; in Setup 2, it shifts further outside to force the clubhead to drop underneath the plane for a draw.
Who this is for
- ✓Golfers who take the club too far inside on the backswing or raise the handle steeply
- ✓Players who cast from the top and cut across the ball on an over-the-top path
- ✓Anyone who wants a two-stage diagnostic drill to isolate takeaway vs. transition faults
- ✓Golfers working to build a repeatable, shallow inside-to-out iron delivery
Try it
Identify whether your primary miss comes from an inside takeaway (Setup 1) or an over-the-top transition (Setup 2), and position your pathpal accordingly.
- Start with Setup 1 (pathpal outside and slightly behind the ball) and make 10 slow rehearsal swings keeping the takeaway on plane
- Hit 10 controlled shots from Setup 1, feeling the handle work inward through impact without touching the unit
- Shift to Setup 2 (pathpal further outside and closer to you) and hit 10 shots dropping the clubhead underneath the plane
- Remove the pathpal and hit 5 full-speed shots combining the on-plane takeaway with the shallow transition
This drill uses the pathpal magnetic 14-angle training station and alignment sticks. Shop pathpal, pair it with The Arrow padded alignment sticks, or explore the Complete Training System with Free U.S. Shipping.
Related drills
If this drill matches what you are working on, these three guided drills build on the exact same movement pattern:
Prevent inside takeaway - "wall" drill
Taught by Shawn Koch. Prevent a Flat, Rolled Takeaway for a More Upright Swing. View drill →
Tommy Fleetwood's Club in Front drill
Taught by David Potts. Prevent Getting Stuck and Maintain Clubhead Position. View drill →
Avoid swinging under plane
Taught by Shawn Koch. Improve Your Downswing Path and Club Delivery. View drill →
About Jason Gandy
Frequently asked questions
How do the two setups in Jason Gandy's Swing Path Fixer differ?
Setup 1 places the pathpal outside and slightly behind the ball to correct an inside takeaway and high handle at impact. Setup 2 moves the unit further outside and closer to the golfer to block an over-the-top cast in transition.
Why should I start with slow-motion rehearsal swings in this drill?
Slow-motion rehearsals without a ball allow your brain to map the physical boundary of the pathpal before adding full swing speed.
What sensation should I feel in Setup 1 vs. Setup 2?
In Setup 1, feel the club stay on top of the plane going back with the handle working inward coming down. In Setup 2, feel the clubhead lower underneath the barrier in transition to swing out to the right.
Can I use a foam noodle or The Arrow stick with this drill?
Yes. Using a padded rod or foam sleeve gives you safe, fearless feedback as you ramp up from rehearsal speed to full swings.
Which club works best for the Swing Path Fixer?
A 7-iron or 8-iron is ideal because it gives you a balanced shaft plane to train both takeaway and downswing delivery.
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