Do you ever wonder why you keep topping your golf ball? on a regular basis? Let us simplify this for you. When it comes to your golf swing, there are three major  factors at play. First, think about your clubhead’s arc, or the route it takes. If this is incorrect, you will most likely win the ball.

Second, consider the angle formed by the movement of your arms and club, also known as the swing plane. Mistakes concerning the location of the ball, the angle of your shoulders, or your hand motion can interfere with your swing and affect the arc. Finally, concentrate on the motion or flow of your swing; it must be fluid to prevent problems. Also read our article on Which golf ball Goes the farthest and How To Stop Scooping The Golf Ball.

Let’s explore why you keep topping your golf ball? and how to address it in straightforward terms.

Here are 10 Possible Reasons Why You Keep Topping Your Golf Ball? On a Regular Basis:

1. Scooping the Ball: Avoid attempting to scoop the ball upon impact.

2. Improper Grip: Check and adjust your grip on the club.

3. Incorrect Positioning at Address: Make sure your ball and club head are properly positioned at address.

4. Overly squat at address: Too much crouching can affect your shot; strike the right balance.

5. Lack of Arm and Wrist Control: Maintain proper control of your arms and wrists throughout the swing.

6. Weight Distribution Issues: Check that your weight is evenly distributed between your toes and heels.

7. Overemphasis on “Keeping Your Head Down”: While this advice is important, overemphasizing it can lead to complications. 

8. Lack of Width in Backswing: Make sure you have enough width in your backswing to allow for a proper downward swing.

9. Staying “Flat Footed” on the Downswing: Allow for natural weight transfer and avoid becoming too “flat footed.”

10. Commitment to the Swing: Make a decision and fully commit to your swing.

Detailed Reasons for Why You Keep Topping Your Golf Ball? And How to Fix it. 

Scooping the Ball:

Reason: 

Solution: Trust in the Loft of Your Club

All golf clubs have enough loft, even the driver, so that balls can fly without conscious scooping.  A downward motion at impact produces backspin, which is essential to getting the desired ball ascent.  

While “hitting down on the ball” is a good way to avoid scooping, hitting beneath tree branches is also a helpful tactic.  Ball striking becomes more proficient as a result of this exercise, which increases confidence in the club’s loft.

Incorrect Grip:

Reason:

Topped shots can happen on the club head arc due to an incorrect grip. The most frequent grip mistake that causes contact above the center of the ball is rotating the right (bottom) hand excessively to the right or beneath the shaft. This grip puts the shaft primarily in the palm and straight across it, making it suitable for a baseball swing that aims for chest-height ball contact.

However, when the ball is on the ground, this grip helps create topped shots by encouraging the clubhead to be raised “over” the ball and closed on the face.  You can hit the ball more consistently if you keep your grip in line with the specifications of a good golf swing.

Solution: Adopting a Proper Grip

To maintain proper grip technique, the player must hold the club primarily with the fingers on their bottom hand. As this hand closes around the shaft, the thumb and forefinger “V” should point between the player’s chin and right shoulder.

We also recommend that the player target the first two knuckles on their left (upper) hand when addressing the ball.  This grip is perfect for creating a club head path that makes square, level contact with a ball. Even if you are not a ball-topper by nature, developing a solid grip should be your first goal. A firm grip offers a stable foundation, and a loose grip frequently results in a number of swing errors.

Incorrect Positioning at Address:

Reason:

Because it affects the swing arc, misalignment of the ball and club head at address can result in topped shots. Should the club head be positioned excessively far behind the ball (to the left), it will likely collide with the ball during the upswing unless adjustments are made during the swing. 

Likewise, if the ball is played too far forward in the stance (center), the club head may come into contact with the ball’s top during the downswing. On the other hand, excessive back positioning of the ball in the stance (right) can also result in topped shots. A consistent and efficient golf swing is largely dependent on proper ball and clubhead alignment.

Solution: Correct Positioning of the Ball and Club Head at Address

There is a “safety zone” that experts advise for the best ball placement. This area stretches from the left heel to the middle of the stance. There is no need to adjust the swing arc when the ball is in this predetermined zone and the club head is positioned directly behind it.

A square hit should be made easier by this setup, encouraging more precise and reliable ball contact.  A better golf swing is facilitated by staying in this safety zone and maintaining proper alignment. 

Overly Squat at Address:

Reason:

Shorter shots are more likely to cause this problem. Contrary to popular belief, golfers who approach the ball closer tend to lose control of their stroke. A loss of control may result from pushing the arms away from the body in an effort to get closer. It is difficult to control the club head in this posture, which makes it harder for the player to swing with accuracy and consistency.

Solution: Adopting a More Upright Stance with Arms Close to the Body

Think about taking a more erect stance and keeping the arms close to the body to help with this problem. Let your arms determine the correct distance to the ball on their own. Pay attention to “feeling” the arms that are near your body.

Allow your body to naturally pivot as you begin the backswing, bringing your arms into the proper position. By pulling the arms away from the body during shorter shots, this adjustment lessens the chance of losing control and promotes a more steady and controlled swing.

Lack of Arm and Wrist Control:

Reasons:

It is important to maintain your arms close to your body and to move your wrists in a coordinated manner. Hitting the ball squarely becomes difficult when arms are too far away and wrists move independently, which results in inconsistent shots.

Solution : To Achieve Square Club Head Contact, Focus on Controlling Your Arms and Wrists. 

Consider the wrists as an extension of the arms, coordinating in a rhythmic and grooved fashion towards the hitting area to replicate your address position at impact. It is simpler to maintain consistency and make a significant impact with this approach. 

Weight Distribution Issues:

Reason: 

Often, top shots are the consequence of imbalanced weight distribution. An easy mistake is to place too much weight on the toes, which throws off balance and makes the player unbalanced. The club head may swing over the ball and make contact above its center if the arms fold in an effort to regain balance.

Although placing excessive weight on the heels can also lead to problems, this mistake is less frequent than the toe-heavy one. To avoid topping in your golf swing, you must achieve a balanced distribution of your body weight.

Solution: To Correct Weight Distribution and Prevent Topping. 

ascertain the correct address position. Balance your weight equally on the ball and heel of each foot, giving the instep side a little more weight. Like a runner before the gun, maintain your feet and legs in a state of “relaxed attention,” ready for action without tension.

To maintain balance and avoid excessive weight shifting to your heels or toes during the swing, slightly bend your knees.  This modification encourages a more steady and deliberate golf swing.

Overemphasis on “Keeping Your Head Down:

Reason: 

Shots can be missed if the “head down” advice is overemphasized.  The club head is frequently pulled over the ball as a result of it restricting shoulder turn, which spoils the swing arc and causes the arms to fold upward.

This concentration may even cause the head to drop, encouraging a folded-arm posture and producing topped shots. Conversely, indecision is typically the cause of looking up. A positive outlook is essential for a free and reliable swing that leads to better outcomes.

Solution: Keep the Head Steady Until Impact. Then Let it Turn with the  Follow-Through.

The solution to the problem of obsessing over “head down” is to maintain head stability until impact and then release it during the follow-through. Make sure the head follows the club naturally by raising the left shoulder at impact. To prevent folded arms and topped shots, concentrate on maintaining your posture and mirroring your address position at impact. 

Lack of Width in Backswing:

Reason: 

If you have a narrow backswing, it is important to keep your path correct without losing width. It will be easier to brush the grass if you maintain a wider backswing and keep your hands away from your sternum.

Using your trail hand to hold your lead wrist and allowing your trail arm to pull your lead arm wide during the backswing is a useful drill. To ensure a more effective swing, practice keeping your lead underarm close to your body, maintaining a good path and width.

Solution: Focus on Maintaining Width Without Compromising the Swing Path.

In order to overcome the problem of a narrow backswing, concentrate on preserving width without sacrificing the swing path. To guarantee a wider motion during the backswing, keep your hands away from your sternum.

Try a drill where you allow your trail arm to pull your lead arm wide while holding your lead wrist with your trail hand. To maintain a good path and width, practice with your lead underarm close to your body. This fix encourages a stronger and more efficient golf swing.

Staying “Flat Footed” on Downswing:

Reason: 

Achieving an athletic and efficient golf swing requires avoiding being “flat-footed” during the downswing. Make sure your entire swing emphasizes athleticism by integrating getting the club to the ground. Allow your trail heel to naturally rise as you swing forward.

It gets difficult to maintain the width of your forward swing if the trail foot remains down for an extended period of time. To support this athletic movement and improve overall swing effectiveness, maintain momentum in your swing. 

Solution: Focus on Maintaining Athleticism Throughout Your Swing

Make sure the entire motion incorporates the club’s descent to the ground. Stress the importance of not letting your trail heel drag up as you swing forward to avoid standing on your feet for an extended period of time. Maintain momentum in your swing to keep the width of your forward swing and to add to the fluidity of your movement. This fix encourages a more fluid and efficient golf swing. To solve the riddle, why you keep topping your golf ball? 

Commitment to the Swing:

Reason: 

To bring about a change in your golf swing in the midst of circumstances, why you keep topping your golf ball? Making a commitment is necessary, even if it is uncomfortable. Accept that making mistakes—including covering too much ground—is a necessary part of the learning process.

Your desired changes may not always match what you feel or what actually occurs, so exaggerate them. Act decisively and decisively. Do not be afraid to make a mess at first; it is frequently a necessary step in the right direction.

Solution; To Overcome the Challenge of Hesitation and Improve Your Golf Swing

Make the commitment to implement the required changes, even if they cause discomfort at first. Accept that making errors is a necessary part of the learning process. Exaggerating the changes you are trying to make is okay because the real results might not match how you think they will. 

Decide firmly to put the changes into practice and persevere, realizing that some initial messiness is frequently a necessary component of progress in resolving the issue, “ why you keep topping your golf ball? “  

Frequently Asked Questions 

References for pictures:

1. https://flawlessgolf.com/why-you-are-topping-the-golf-ball/
2. https://golf.com/instruction/10-reasons-why-you-cant-stop-topping-the-golf-ball/