Can't hit a 3 wood for the life of me!

[King Cobra II]

I seem to always top my 3 wood shots when off grass. I seem to pick my head up, even when pre shot I tell myself to keep it down. Suggestions?

[bogeyhitter25]

I try to stand a little bit closer to the ball. That's me, though.

[alf174]

For me & a 3w, all it takes is a little move over the top to be out of position and I top the ball or don't get it in the air very high. I have to make sure my hips start the downswing and that I stay connected otherwise I'll be over the top enough to make the undesirable happen. The more loft in the club the more forgiving this breakdown is.

[NorCalGolfer]

it's weird. I used to smash my 3wood, but now I have the same problems as you guys. Or guy. And I couldn't even begin to explain why. haha.

[ks8829]

topping the ball means you are already pass your lowest point of your swing and are at the raise of your swing.

This could be the following:

1) your moving laterally and not returning back to the ball
2) your grip is too tight causing you to tense up and lift your head
3) your swing with your arms and not with your shoulders
4) playing the ball too much forward in your stance.

[GaijinGolfer]

Id go along with the others who are saying perhaps you are playing the ball too far foreward in your stance.
Without seeing you swing, its difficult for any of to really say what the problem is though.

[TinCupTampa]

topping the ball means you are already pass your lowest point of your swing and are at the raise of your swing.

Or.... you arent transitioning well and hanging back thus already on the upswing when the ball reaches the club. This is common for people that arent comfortable swinging a specific club. They tend to get anxious and start their swings with their hands.

[Stacey_E]

I can't hit and don't carry a 3 wood. But the best advice I've heard was not technically oriented at all.

Hit your 3 wood to a specific distance. Instead of pulling your 3 wood and hitting it is far as you can (which is what I always tried to do) realize it hits to a specific distance. If I ever pulled a 3 wood it was to get as far down the fairwway as I could. Imagine if every time you pulled a 7 iron you tried to knock it as far as you could. What would be far enough? 160, 175, 200? Just make a smooth swing on the 3 and if it goes 150 so be it, but it will probably go farther. But I only carry a strong 5 wood, so who knows?

[gbk56]

I seem to always top my 3 wood shots when off grass. I seem to pick my head up, even when pre shot I tell myself to keep it down. Suggestions?

I concentrate on watching the club face actually make contact with the the ball. Keeps me from looking up too soon and also allows me to make better contact with the ball.

[shortgame85]

I seem to always top my 3 wood shots when off grass. I seem to pick my head up, even when pre shot I tell myself to keep it down. Suggestions?

Suggestions? Get a 14, 15 or 16 degree hybrid.

[Aetsh]

Damn, I kill my 3 wood, bring on the driver help!

[FlopShotArtist]

Suggestions? Get a 14, 15 or 16 degree hybrid.

That's what I did.

[TinCupTampa]

Suggestions? Get a 14, 15 or 16 degree hybrid.

If he's picking his head up he will top a hybrid as well. Just keep your head down and learn to hit it... but go get a hybrid to bridge the gap between your 3W and 3I.

[leftypro]

I had the same problem, I played to ball to far towards my front foot like a driver