Topping the ball

[GoTerps84]

Hello,

I am fairly new to golf and new here as well. I have a problem I would like to ask people's advice on:

I have an ok swing, as I've taken some lessons and put in some work on the range. I tried to get serious at golf this season and love it.

However, I always run into the same problem partway through a round. My swing falls apart, and I begin topping the ball so horribly that it rolls down the fairway.

I am unsure of why, it may be fatigue (although at 24 I hope not) and it may be a lack of focus. Playing on longer holes tends to put me in a mind set that I have to hit the ball harder because of the extra distance.

Can anyone supply any tips for me as why this might happen, and a good way to fix it before it becomes an ingrained problem?

Thanks in advance.

[Mr 3 Wiggle]

Hit down on the ball and take a divot. Probably trying to hit the ball up in the air instead of hitting down on it and letting the loft of the club do the work.

[Horseballs]

If you are swinging harder on longer shots, you should try to find a good consistent tempo for each full shot, regardless of the loft.
Try saying 1-2-3 in your head when you swing. 1 being the takeaway, 2 being the top of your backswing, and 3 being impact.

[dorkman53]

When I do that, it's usually due to looking up to see where my shot went before I actually hit it. As my pro says, "Premature admiration."

Step #1. Hit ball
Step #2. Admire shot

Note: Do NOT attempt to reverse this order......

The other fault that sometimes causes this is simply not holding the spine angle through the swing. Don't think about "holding your head down." Think about "holding your spine angle" through the swing.

[poe4soul]

Have to ask the obvious. Is the ball position constant throughout the round?

If the ball position is constent and you arms/hands are in the same position at impact (flat left wrist without any flipping) then the bottom of the swing has probably moved back. This is usually due to poor weight transfer (too much weight on your back foot at impact) or as HB's mentioned a tilting spine angle. If you are not transferring your weight, or your spine tilts back, the lowest part of the swing will move back in your stance which the likely miss is a topped ball.

Another issue might be that your sliding your hips during the first part of the round and making a better turn in the latter. Sliding your hips causes the bottom of your swing to move forward at impact. If you are sliding your hips then you might have a better swing in the middle of your round and need to address your sliding hips and ball position. In this case you should see that you play the ball too far forward at address.

Remember, nothing is generally as it seems. Especially with the golf swing.

[GoTerps84]

I try very hard to make sure I set up the same way each time-ball location, distance from ball, etc.

I think the problem may have a lot to do with hitting down, as well as my body getting out of whack during the swing.

[Mr 3 Wiggle]

I try very hard to make sure I set up the same way each time-ball location, distance from ball, etc.

I think the problem may have a lot to do with hitting down, as well as my body getting out of whack during the swing.

When all else fails....there is always tennis.

[poe4soul]

F' tennis - too much running. Unless you meant table tennis.

If I get to the point that I can't golf I'm going to take up bowling or maybe fishing. But only bass fishing out of big bass boats.

[poe4soul]

Yah, the out of whack thing can get you sometimes.

Seriously, get someone you play with to watch your spine angle during the round when you start topping the ball. It should be obvious to spot.

[Dyna]

Yah, the out of whack thing can get you sometimes.

Seriously, get someone you play with to watch your spine angle during the round when you start topping the ball. It should be obvious to spot.

Bingo!
When I end up topping the ball, it's because I didn't keep my back straight. I have to remind myself to act as if I have a paperback book tucked into my belt in back, this keeps me from pulling up & topping the ball. may sound kind of goofy but it works.

[Not a hacker]

I try very hard to make sure I set up the same way each time-ball location, distance from ball, etc.

This had better not be heading towards a spam about that 1 iron BS concept where every club is the same length. It is starting to smell suspiciously like the infamous Maxfli Fire thread.

PM, If any new poster comes on here and in their first post says they used to suffer the same thing "until I discovered the amazing..........." I suggest you ban their arse immediately.

[lorenzoinoc]

Since Mr. 3 Wiggle is obviously GoTerps84, it just occurred to me that I must be him too.

[GoTerps84]

This had better not be heading towards a spam about that 1 iron BS concept where every club is the same length. It is starting to smell suspiciously like the infamous Maxfli Fire thread.

PM, If any new poster comes on here and in their first post says they used to suffer the same thing "until I discovered the amazing..........." I suggest you ban their arse immediately.

I'm sorry? I had a legitimate question about a problem I am having on the course.

I don't know anything about a 1 iron concept. I was just looking for some tips to keep myself from developing some bad habits.

[ripit35]

I used to do that all the time when i sucked during my grip and rip it days. Generally, as may be your case, when i reached for a little extra, it was all arms. Action/Reaction when the arms strike down, the body wants to go up. Think of a bird flapping its wings to get airborn. Nowadays, when i see someone consistently topping the ball, their swing is 90% arms. It's just a tendency we have to swing our arms faster when going for it.

And NO i am not promoting that Taly No Arm-Swing crap. I've ripped into that guy on his youtube video comments. He uses the thing during a round of golf, goodness.

[GoTerps84]

Just wanted to leave an update.

Worked on not trying to kill the ball, and making an effort to stay down longer. It's done wonders, and things have turned around in a big way.

Thanks for the help!