Many golfers think they are swinging from the inside until slow-motion video shows the clubhead cutting across the target line at the last millisecond. Without a ground-level barrier right next to the ball, it is almost impossible to feel small outside-in path errors.
Brent Witcher uses a single angled TrueStrike pad placed one inch outside the golf ball to turn every swing into an instant pass-or-fail test for an inside-out path.
See the full step-by-step station on the The TrueStrike Anti-Over-the-Top Drill page, or watch Brent demonstrate the setup below.
The drill
Brent Witcher (Director of Instruction at The Back Nine West Midtown; 2009: Jack Nicklaus Award Winner, Nations Top NCAA Division II men's golfer, 2008-2009: All-American Golfer at Valdosta State, 2015: Valdosta State University Hall of Fame) uses the TrueStrike impact and connection trainer to give golfers immediate physical and visual feedback on every repetition.
This drill utilizes a single TrueStrike, angled on the ground, to act as a physical barrier and provide immediate feedback for golfers struggling with an "over-the-top" (outside-to-in) swing path. By positioning the brick at an inside-to-out angle, it forces the golfer to approach the ball from the inside, eliminating slices and pulls caused by a steep outside path.
Setup
- Place a single TrueStrike pad on the ground, angled to promote your desired swing path (in this case, an inside-to-out path).
- Place a golf ball approximately one inch away from the near edge or corner of the TrueStrike pad. The closer the ball is to the pad, the more challenging the drill.
- Anchor the pad down (if possible) or ensure it is stable enough to withstand being lightly grazed.
How to run the drill
- Address the ball with the TrueStrike pad positioned outside and slightly ahead of the ball, guarding the path you want to avoid.
- Swing the club, focusing on missing the pad entirely.
- If you come "over the top" (outside-to-in path), the club will strike or "nick" the TrueStrike pad, giving you immediate feedback that the swing path was incorrect.
- A proper swing (inside-to-out) will miss the pad and result in no movement of the pad.
- Continue practicing to groove the feeling of the inside-out approach and consistently miss the pad.
Because the TrueStrike pad is high-density foam, you can place it just one inch outside the ball without fear of damaging your clubhead if you graze it.
Watch the drill
View the full guided drill on pathpal →
Why it works
Hard plastic or metal objects placed close to the ball often cause golfers to flinch or bail out of the shot. Because the TrueStrike pad is built from soft, durable foam, you can set it close enough to the ball to demand real precision while swinging freely.
An angled foam barrier one inch outside the ball leaves zero room for an outside-in wipe.
Setting the TrueStrike pad on an inside-to-out diagonal ahead and outside of the golf ball visually and physically maps the exact entry corridor your clubhead needs to follow. If you cut across the line, you nick the corner of the foam pad; if you approach from the inside, you flush the ball cleanly.
Who this is for
- ✓Golfers who slice or pull shots due to an outside-to-in clubhead path at impact
- ✓Players who catch the heel of the clubface when swinging across the target line
- ✓Anyone who wants a zero-setup ground barrier that is completely safe to hit near
- ✓Golfers training to turn a weak fade into a solid, compressed draw
Try it
Angle the TrueStrike pad on the ground outside and slightly ahead of your golf ball, starting with two inches of clearance before narrowing to one inch.
- Place the TrueStrike pad outside and slightly ahead of the ball, angled along an inside-to-out path
- Take 10 smooth practice swings brushing the turf inside the pad without nicking the foam edge
- Hit 15 shots starting with the ball 1.5 inches from the pad, then move it to 1 inch as your path stabilizes
- Remove the pad and hit 5 shots to verify the inside-out strike transfers without the visual guide
This drill uses the TrueStrike trainer from the pathpal training system. Shop the TrueStrike or explore the Complete Training System to get everything you need in one kit 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:
Inside-Out Draw Drill (Wedding China Drill)
Taught by Jacob Tilton. Cure Your Slice and Hit a Controlled Draw. View drill →
Anti-slice Arm Drop Drill
Taught by Brent Witcher. Force the Arms to Drop Underneath and Eliminate the Casting/Over-the-Top Move. View drill →
Inside-Out Draw Path
Taught by Jason Kuiper. Shallow Your Swing and Promote an Inside-Out Path for a Draw. View drill →
About Brent Witcher
Frequently asked questions
Will hitting the TrueStrike pad damage my club or injure my wrists?
No. The TrueStrike pad is made of lightweight, impact-absorbing foam designed specifically to be struck safely without damaging clubs or jarring your hands.
How close to the golf ball should I place the TrueStrike pad?
Brent Witcher recommends placing the ball roughly one inch from the near corner of the pad. Beginners can start at two inches and move closer as their path improves.
Where exactly does the pad sit relative to the golf ball?
It sits just outside the target line and slightly ahead of the ball, angled diagonally from inside-back to outside-front to block an over-the-top approach.
How does this drill help reduce heel strikes?
An outside-in swing often throws the hosel toward the ball at setup distance. Approaching from the inside keeps the sweet spot traveling through the ball.
Can I use this drill with a driver as well as irons?
Yes. You can place the TrueStrike pad outside a teed-up driver ball just as easily as beside an iron shot on the turf or range mat.
Ready to stop guessing and build a repeatable swing?
pathpal sets up drills like The TrueStrike Anti-Over-the-Top Drill in seconds: one integrated training system that fits in any golf bag and delivers real feedback on every swing.
Shop TrueStrike
