Topping the golf ball is a very common fault for less experienced golfers. Following are the most common reasons why golfers top and thin shots. Incorporate the fixes into your game to stop topping and get the ball airborne.
Trying to Help the Ball Into the Air
Trying to help the ball into the air is the most common fault for topping the ball. Each club has loft on it that will automatically hit the ball into the air, but all too often the inexperienced golfer tries to help the ball up by flicking the hands. All this does is make the cub arc come up too quickly resulting in a top. Trust the loft of the club and keep the club head close to the ground for the first two feet after impact.
Straightening the Legs
The next most common cause for topping is straightening the legs on the downswing. This results in the head moving up, which pulls up the swing arc, resulting in a topped shot. The knee flex of a golfer at address must remain the same throughout the swing. If you find difficulty with this bend the knees slightly more at address for a few practice swings. To stop topping, be willing to exaggerate, as it gives strong feed back concerning knee bed during the swing.
Left Shoulder Coming up Too Quickly
The swing arc is dictated by shoulder movement and leg action. If you have investigated keeping the knee flex constant, make sure your left shoulder is not coming up too quickly on the downswing. This action often causes pain in the right side of the lower back. In many circumstances this shoulder action is the result of a bad turn on the backswing that is called a 'tilt' or 'reverse pivot'. Make sure the left shoulder turns on the backswing. If it moves down too much it will move up too quickly on the downswing.
Hitting Off the Back Foot
To stop topping, the swing arc must move forward onto the front foot, this is the correct weight transference. When somebody tops the ball the weight gets stuck on the back foot. Make sure that at the finish of your swing the right foot comes up correctly into its classic finish position. This will ensure the weight is being transferred correctly.
Strong Grip
If your grip is too strong, or turned round to the right too much, it will stop your hands from releasing correctly. If this happens it is impossible to swing the club near the ground after impact. Make sure your hands are correctly positioned on the club with the’V’s, created by the index finger and thumb of both hands, pointing to the right shoulder. Make sure the right thumb of the grip is on the correct side or it will not be able to impart downforce during impact.
Topping if Swing is Too Flat
If your swing is too rounded or flat it will cause topping. To make sure your swing is upright enough to hit the ball on the downswing stand with your back a few inches from a wall, then make a slow gentle backswing. If the club hits the wall early on it means your swing is too rounded. A golfer should almost be able to swing to the top without hitting the wall if you are swinging in plane correctly.
See also: How to Grip the Golf Club or Teaching Golf to a Beginner
John Hoskison - John is a class 'A' member of the British PGA and author of the acclaimed book 'Inside - One Man's Experience of Prison'.
