Topping the ball

RE: Topping the ball

Elson C — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 11:23:03 GMT

Thank you guys for the replies and tips.
I have gotten a little better, but the main issue here is the hardware (My back) it turns out I was born missing a couple of my transverse process on one of my discs
I am having back surgery in September, and after that, there is no golf for 6+ months, good thing it will be winter here in Michigan.
Hoping that will help for next year's golf season.

RE: Topping the ball

Ryan M — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 04:55:37 GMT

1st off I want to say congrats on feeling better, that's awesome (as well as stopping the pain meds, serious pain and stopping those can be tough so good for you).

Honestly as far as topping the ball it could 100's of things, but without video it would be just a complete guess. You could be standing to upright and just topping it, or you could be to bent over to much and your jammed up at impact so you have to popup a bit to create some distance from you and the ball etc. (my old man has this happen sometimes).

If any chance you post a vid I think you could get some extra feedback.

RE: Topping the ball

Jerry M — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 02:16:39 GMT

Elson, Find a teaching professional you trust and take a lesson. Also tell them your physical history before you show up. He or she can fix this issue that you have. Good Luck!

RE: Topping the ball

Darryl M — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 00:01:08 GMT

Since your back issues I would have your swing/clubs checked in conjunction with your current club setup. You may be more upright trying to protect your back without knowing it. You may need your clubs extended and or lie adjustment if you are more upright at address. My golf guy has had 2 back surgeries he extended his clubs 2" so he didn't have to bend as much at address and possibly hurt his back while rotating.

Another source of topping is ball position in conjunction with your swing. Once again because of your back issues you may be swinging up earlier now then you used to (maybe standing more upright at address) so you might play with ball position too. A smooth rotation and smooth swing is all you need nothing quick and hard.

Good Luck & hope you continue to get better
DM

RE: Topping the ball

Lou G — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 17:16:18 GMT

Having a more upright lie angle helps when it comes to topping shots. Not shifting your weight properly to the front foot is part of it ("hanging back").

Take a more compact backswing. The "big 90 degree backswing" is a farce. A rotational backswing is also murder on the lower back.

Keep your eye on the ball from takeaway to impact (like Scott states "look a half in inch in front of the ball." Your lower body starts the down swing. As the "swing surgeon" says, "In da mitt and tru da tree". He promotes a more vertical swing with a limited turn.

Another fault is straightening the back leg on the backswing.

RE: Topping the ball

Scott L — Tue, 29 May 2018 23:23:01 GMT

Stop swaying...and you want to look about a half inch in front of the ball. Your irons will hit ball first then ground.

RE: Topping the ball

PrecisionMobileGolf — Mon, 28 May 2018 21:34:01 GMT

Sounds like you might need your clubs extended until you get your flexibility back.