A topped shot is one of the most frustrating in golf. You make what feels like a decent swing, but the club strikes the top of the ball and it scuttles along the ground for a few yards. It is especially common among beginners, but even experienced golfers top the ball from time to time, particularly with fairway woods and long clubs. The good news is that topping has a handful of predictable causes, and most of them are easy to fix.
What happens when you top the ball
The club reaches the lowest point of its arc either too high, or before the ball and rising, so the leading edge catches the top half of the ball. The ball is driven down and forward with topspin, rolling rather than flying.
The main causes
1. Trying to lift the ball
Many golfers instinctively try to scoop the ball into the air by flicking their wrists or leaning back. In fact, the loft of the club launches the ball. With irons, you need to hit down on the ball. Read how to hit the ball solidly.
2. Standing up (losing posture)
Rising out of your posture during the downswing, often called early extension, lifts the club. It can be caused by limited hip mobility, tension or trying to see the ball fly. Read golf posture at address.
3. Weight hanging back
If your weight stays on your trail foot, the bottom of the swing moves behind the ball, and the club is rising when it reaches the ball. Read golf weight transfer.
4. Ball too far forward
With the ball too far forward, the club has already passed the low point and is rising at impact. Read golf ball position.
5. Arms collapsing
Bending the arms and pulling them in through impact, a "chicken wing", shortens the radius of the swing. Read golf follow-through and finish.
6. Looking up early
Lifting your head and chest to watch the shot pulls the body and club up. Keep your eyes on the ball until after impact, then let your head rotate naturally.
7. Tension and fear
Fear of hitting the ground, or of a hazard, makes golfers tense and pull away from the ball.
Quick fixes
- Trust the loft. Make a swing that brushes the ground; let the club launch the ball.
- Keep your chest over the ball through impact.
- Feel your weight move to your lead foot in the downswing.
- Check ball position: centre for short irons, slightly forward for longer clubs.
- Relax your grip and arms. Read how to grip a golf club.
- Swing at 80%. Overswinging leads to lifting.
Drills
Brush the grass
Make practice swings, brushing the grass in the same spot each time. Then place a ball just in front of that spot and repeat. It trains a consistent low point.
Towel drill
Place a towel a few inches behind the ball. Hit the ball without touching the towel. It forces a descending, ball-first strike and stops scooping.
Line drill
Draw a line on the ground (or use a tee line on a mat) and practise taking divots that start on or just after the line. Then place balls on the line.
Feet-together drill
Hit half shots with your feet together. It helps you keep your balance and posture.
Pump-and-hold
Swing to the top, pump down to hip height feeling your weight shift forward, return to the top, then swing through. It trains the sequence.
Topping specific clubs
- Driver: tee height too low, ball too far back, or lifting up. Tee the ball so half is above the club face. Read how to hit a driver.
- Fairway woods: trying to lift the ball off the turf. Sweep it. Read fairway woods: how to choose and hit them.
- Chips: flicking the wrists. Keep the hands ahead and use a putting-style stroke. Read how to chip in golf.
- Bunker shots: trying to pick the ball clean. Splash the sand behind the ball. Read how to hit bunker shots.
On the course
When topping strikes mid-round, focus on one simple thought: "chest over the ball" or "brush the grass". Choose clubs you trust, such as a hybrid instead of a fairway wood, and play shorter, more controlled swings until confidence returns.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I keep topping the ball?
Most often because you are trying to lift the ball, standing up during the swing or leaving your weight on your trail foot.
Should I keep my head down to stop topping?
Keep your eyes on the ball until impact, but don't force your head down; that can restrict your turn. Focus on keeping your chest over the ball.
Why do I top my fairway woods but not my irons?
Fairway woods are longer and are often played with the ball further forward. Golfers also tend to try to lift them. Sweep the ball and check your ball position.
Can equipment cause topping?
Clubs that are too short can make you stand up. Have your length and lie checked. Read golf club lie angle and length.
The bottom line
Topping is caused by a low point that is too high: lifting the ball, standing up, hanging back or a ball too far forward. Trust the loft, keep your posture, shift your weight forward and use the towel and brush-the-grass drills to rebuild a reliable strike. For more on common faults, read how to stop shanking.