How to Stop Topping The Golf Ball

Apart from the dreaded S-word, arguably the most soul-destroying shot in golf is when you top the ball. And we have all done it, usually at the worst possible moment, such as when you have a lake to get over.

Earlier this year I struggled horribly with my fairway woods and it destroyed my confidence. There was poor ball striking, a struggle to get the ball up in the air and a horrible habit of topping the ball. It drove me to distraction. 

In 2024 I had been afflicted with a dose of the shanks (there, I have used the S-word), the most destructive shot in golf. It was horrible. I never knew when it was coming and I reached the point when I dreaded having an iron in my hands. A lesson sorted it out in minutes and immediately eliminated it.

So off I went to see my local pro in an effort to get my fairways woods sorted out. 

And sure enough, I quickly demonstrated the perfect topped shot with my three wood. As it turned out, my issue was mostly about the equipment I was using. The shafts in my three and five wood were too stiff and I was doing all sorts of dreadful things to try to get the ball up in the air. I have now been custom-fitted for a three wood and seven wood and have been transformed - and have not topped a single fairway wood since collecting my new clubs.

Why Are You Topping The Golf Ball?

So what is it that causes you to top the ball?

Apart from the reasons outlined above the first thing you need to do is to understand why you are topping the ball. And the bad news is that there could be several root causes. These include poor posture, incorrect ball position, and a lack of consistency in the swing plane. 

Each of these elements plays a crucial role in ensuring the clubhead makes proper contact with the ball. 

How to Stop Topping The Golf Ball

Where do you start to put things right?

• The Stance

You do not need me to tell you that a stable and well-balanced stance at address provides the foundation for a successful golf swing. Ensure that your feet are shoulder-width apart, with your weight evenly distributed between both feet. Getting your balance is vital in order to maintain control throughout the swing. Flexing your knees slightly and bending from your hips will promote a more stable posture. You also need to focus on ensuring that you don’t sway during your backswing. 

Establishing a solid and balanced stance will also help you when playing in the wind - something that most of us face on a regular basis.

• Ball Position

The next thing to focus on is ball position, something that is key but that is often ignored or overlooked by high handicappers. 

Correct ball positioning is critical when it comes to preventing topped shots. For most irons, positioning the ball in the centre of your stance is a good rule of thumb. However, as you move to longer clubs, such as fairway woods or the driver, the ball should be positioned progressively forward in your stance. 

This adjustment will help to ensure that the club contacts the ball at the correct point in your swing arc, promoting a clean, upward strike that generates lift.

• Keep Your Eye on The Ball

We have all been told at some point that we should keep our heads down during the golf swing. This is actually pretty misleading. What we should be concentrating on is keeping our eye on the ball, something that will help you to eliminate excessive movement. In short, keep your eye on the ball until after you have made contact. One of the most common faults among high handicappers is a tendency to look up too soon, a fault that is almost guaranteed to see you topping the ball. Focusing on the ball until your club makes contact will help ensure a more consistent and powerful shot.

• Swing Path

The path your club takes during your swing is crucial for hitting the ball correctly. If you swing too steep or too shallow it could result in you topping the ball. If you focus on maintaining a consistent swing plane it will help you strike the ball with the right trajectory. 

• See Your Pro!

Topping the golf ball is horrible, but with the right approach and some practice, it can be overcome. I am not a golf professional and don’t profess to be a teacher but following this advice will not do you any harm, and if none of it works then it might be time to book a lesson with your local golf pro.

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