When attempting to drop the club to the inside on the downswing, what is most likely to occur if a student has been coming over the top?

When a student is accustomed to coming over the top on their downswing, attempting to drop the club to the inside can lead to a negative transfer effect. This phenomenon occurs when an athlete tries to adopt a new movement but inadvertently utilizes old, ingrained patterns from previous experiences. In this case, the student's prior habit of swinging over the top may interfere with their ability to initiate the new inside path effectively. As they attempt to implement this change, their body might revert to the over-the-top action due to established motor patterns, leading to inconsistent ball striking and frustration.

The concept of negative transfer highlights the difficulty of breaking long-standing habits, particularly in complex motor skills like a golf swing. This is why specific drills and coaching focused on gradual changes are essential for reprogramming the swing path, ensuring that the student genuinely adapts to the intended movement without reverting to their previous technique. Addressing the over-the-top swing may require a deeper exploration of their swing mechanics, focusing on the correct sequencing and body movements that promote dropping the club to the inside effectively.