How to stop topping the golf ball

The situation

A topped shot barely leaves the ground. The club struck the ball above center. Usually the body lifted during the swing: the head or chest came up, the knees straightened, or the arms pulled in. It often shows up with the driver and fairway woods.

If the leading edge hits the middle of the ball and it flies low and hard, that is the thin shot, the same family with a little less lift.

The fix

1. 01
   Keep the knee flex you started with Soft knees at address should still be soft at impact. Straightening the legs on the way down lifts the whole swing, and a small lift is enough to top the ball.
2. 02
   Keep the chest over the ball Do not look up to see where it went before it has gone. The chest stays bent toward the ball through impact, then turns to the target.
3. 03
   Let the arms stay long through the ball Pulling the arms in shortens the club and lifts it off the bottom. Let the arms extend past the ball before the elbows fold.
4. 04
   Tee the driver the same way each time For the driver, about half the ball shows above the top line of the face. The landmark is on the tee shot. A tee height will not cure lifting, so fix the posture first.
5. 05
   Ten balls at half speed The win is a ball in the air, not a long one. If it now hits the ground first, the low point moved too far back. That is the fat shot.

Topped shot FAQ

Why do I top the ball more with woods?

Woods and hybrids sit further from you with a flatter swing, so standing up through the shot lifts the club off the ball. Keep your chest over the ball until after impact.

Should I keep my head down?

Keeping your head steady helps, but stiffly forcing it down blocks the turn. Think "chest stays over the ball" instead.

Topping with irons

With irons, a topped shot often comes from trying to help the ball up. Trust the loft: hit down so the club meets the ball first, then the turf. The how to hit irons page shows the strike.