topping the ball

[fusioncal]

  Soup Fan said:

LOL!

Umm...okay. How long have you been playing golf? The fat and thin shots are in the same family and caused by many factors. So I suggest you to get more intensive golf lesson. But I have a hunch that you don't release your club at the right time. Either too early (chunk) or not at all (topping). It's all about timing. By the way, I believe fat and thin shots are irrelevant to improper club fitting.

[VinnyM10]

  joey1234 said:

its wierd - when i was in the simulator last week i could hit ever shot awesome with my 3 wood - i go on the course/range and i keep topping it - i feel like kevin costner in tin cup when he gets the shanks.....

If you are keeping your head down and keeping your spine angle through the swing, then just try narrowing your stance a slight bit. This will give you a steeper swing plane and get you to hit into the ball as opposed to hitting on top of it which is more than likely what you're doing. If you want my best suggestion. Go get a lesson or two from a Pro in your area thats reputable. He/She will be able to help you more then most here on the forum I would say. Good luck!!

[Leek]

Keep your head down is the WORST advice anyone ever gives. It should be, keep your hips turning, or keep your spine angle constant.

[guitarace372]

That is by far the worst problem. I am still trying to fix that in my swing, and I am topping every-other shot.

[joey1234]

  guitarace372 said:

That is by far the worst problem. I am still trying to fix that in my swing, and I am topping every-other shot.

too bad im chunking the crap out of my shots now - i ty so hard not to top it, i chunk it,...

  Leek said:

Keep your head down is the WORST advice anyone ever gives. It should be, keep your hips turning, or keep your spine angle constant.

i seem to read trhis alot - but if i do keep my head down, i always make a good shot - or at least not a topped shot.....

[fusioncal]

  Leek said:

Keep your head down is the WORST advice anyone ever gives. It should be, keep your hips turning, or keep your spine angle constant.

I think it's better to say "Hit Down" rather than "Head Down." I've seen some people swing with their head down all the time even when they're supposed to follow through.

[joey1234]

  VinnyM10 said:

If you are keeping your head down and keeping your spine angle through the swing, then just try narrowing your stance a slight bit. This will give you a steeper swing plane and get you to hit into the ball as opposed to hitting on top of it which is more than likely what you're doing.

like i said - I am not topping the ball any more - havent top a shot since i posted this... i seem to be chunking everything now... BUt you are right im going to my instructor this week, to see what he ythuinks... only problem is, when i hit if of mats at the range i raraley have this problem, unless the mats are correcting it......we'll see what the instructor says - this always seems to fix every issue I have...hes pretty good.

[Leek]

  joey1234 said:

like i said - I am not topping the ball any more - havent top a shot since i posted this... i seem to be chunking everything now... BUt you are right im going to my instructor this week, to see what he ythuinks... only problem is, when i hit if of mats at the range i raraley have this problem, unless the mats are correcting it......we'll see what the instructor says - this always seems to fix every issue I have...hes pretty good.

Now you're getting somewhere. Here's drill that will fix you right up. Take your 6 or 7 iron Put the ball on a tee. Put another tee about 4" past the ball with the head about 1/2" above the grass. Practice hitting both the ball and the tee that is past it.

[joey1234]

that will cure a fat shot?

[Leek]

  joey1234 said:

that will cure a fat shot?

Every time.

You hit ball on tee, then next tee. It will cure fat, thin, path etc. One caviat: Do not let your upper body move forward through the shot.

[joey1234]

i dont have any where to try this....i dont have any grass ranges near my house.... everything is mats.......

[Leek]

  joey1234 said:

i dont have any where to try this....i dont have any grass ranges near my house.... everything is mats.......

Then go out in the back yard with 2 tees. Practice hitting both tees, with the 2nd one about a 1/2" above the ground. Then go to the range and imagine the second tee 4" past the ball.

Where do you live? There must be a grass range somewhere.

[wachesawgolfer]

Lots of things can cause topped shots. One is an overly steep swing which gives no room for error, it either hits flush or is fat or thin. Hanging back on the right foot through a reverse pivot cause thin shots. Coming over the top causing a chicken wing finish causes the left arm to pull in resulting in thin shots. Sway one way or another is another cause. A teaching pro can probably tell you whats going on.

[fusioncal]

  Leek said:

Then go out in the back yard with 2 tees. Practice hitting both tees, with the 2nd one about a 1/2" above the ground. Then go to the range and imagine the second tee 4" past the ball.

I have a friend who always hits fat shots like 5 inches behind the ball, but he was still able to get the ball up in the air because of his super game improvement iron.

I told him to swing and listen where the swoosh sound is. It should be around the center to front of the stance. He managed to reduce from 5 to 2 inches, but still can't cure it totally. Placing 2 tees might help him. Nice tips, Leek.

[motius]

I often hit fat shots that can land several inches early (before the ball) if I start the transition/downswing with my arms rather than my hips. When I start with my hips first and then have the arms follow, I usually hit it pretty well.

[fusioncal]

  motius said:

I often hit fat shots that can land several inches early (before the ball) if I start the transition/downswing with my arms rather than my hips. When I start with my hips first and then have the arms follow, I usually hit it pretty well.

I used to do that, but be aware that it's not so-consistent. Sometimes when the adrenaline hits you, you will move your hips way faster than normal.

[joey1234]

i played last night over at bethpage - didnt really hit thtat many fat shots - i was actially hitting pretty well...It smy putting that killed me, im going to go to betpage again tonight, i will see how it goes.

[Andrew]

I like to imagine that im going to hit it perfectly and when i do that i usually hit it real nice.
But if its a technical problem its usually caused by you swinging too hard or casting from the top.