One of the more embarrassing shots in golf is the top, especially off the tee with your driver, but it is something many amateur golfers struggle with. Even just striking the ball out of the bottom of the club-face can seriously affect distance and dispersion off the tee.
In this guide below we discuss what a topped shot is, what causes it and most importantly how to fix it.
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What Causes You to Top Your Driver?
Topping the ball is the term used when referring to a shot where the ball is hit above its equator. Though some may travel further than others, this mistrike is very costly for golfers.
The key thing to know about topping the golf ball, or hitting it low off the bottom of the club-face, is that it means that you are likely backing up out of the stop or standing up and coming out of your posture. Another cause can be moving your eyes off of the ball before impact.
We all want to hit the ball a long way but swinging at the ball too fast and hard with poor timing can also cause the ball to be mistruck causing a top.
How to Stop Topping Your Driver?
The solution is simply to work on your low point and feel like your club-head is working closer to the ground through impact. Unlike other clubs the driver requires an upwards angle of attack. You’re not trying to hit the ground you’re trying to create an upwards sweeping motion. This is best created by tilting the shoulder allowing you to get up and through the ball. You must remember to not come out of your posture through impact and stay down on your shot.
Much like topping any shot, the key thing to remember is to keep your eyes on the ball. Can you remember seeing your club make contact with the ball? This doesn’t mean your head needs to be glued to the ball but keep your eyes on the back of the ball even for a split second longer than usual could be the keep to better contact.
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Try to take a smoother swing. A smoother swing might not always feel like you’re going to get the ball a long way but it will certainly help create a better strike and might even gain you a few extra yards. Remember that you don’t hit the ball on your back swing, so nice and smooth on the way back will make keeping your eyes on the ball easier in the downswing.
Golf isn’t just about using your arms. The golf swing is said to be built from the ground up and so the shifting of weight and rotation is very important. A typical fault is when a golfers weight goes too much onto their heels or toes. This can cause golfers to lose balance through the ball, into the follow through. A smooth, in balance swing will certainly help create a better contact on the ball.
Conclusion
Topping your driver is a common issue amongst many golfers. It can be very frustrating for players if they struggle to make good contact with the ball. In the above article we address what causes a top and tips to help fix it. In the YouTube video, Dan Whittaker goes into greater detail, demonstraing drills to help golfers hit better drives.
Hopefully these tips can help you get back to striking your drives well. Remember that these might not be a quick fix and may require some extra practice time to master. Stay patient.
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