Why You Keep Topping the Ball—and How to Fix It for Good

Why You Keep Topping the Ball—and How to Fix It for Good
There’s nothing more frustrating than lining up the perfect shot… and watching the ball dribble 10 feet off the tee. Topping the golf ball is one of the most common issues golfers face—and one of the easiest to fix once you understand the real cause.

In this post, we’ll break down why you're topping the ball, how to stop doing it, and what to look for in your swing. If you’re tired of wasting strokes and embarrassing tee shots, this one’s for you.

 
What Does It Mean to Top the Ball in Golf?
Topping the ball means you're hitting the upper half of the ball—or even missing it completely—causing it to bounce or roll instead of flying through the air. It’s especially common with irons, fairway woods, and off the tee with longer clubs.

Top 3 Reasons You Keep Topping the Ball
1. Early Extension
This is one of the biggest swing faults I see. Early extension means your hips move toward the ball during your downswing, causing you to stand up out of your posture. This pulls your chest away from the ball—leading to a thin or topped shot.

2. Lifting Your Head Too Early
You've heard this a hundred times, but it's true: if you lift your head or try to "peek" too early, your upper body rises and your club catches the top half of the ball. Staying down and through the shot is key.

3. Trying to Scoop the Ball Into the Air
Many golfers try to help the ball up instead of compressing it down. This results in flipping the wrists at impact and raising the clubface too early, which almost guarantees a top.

 
How to Fix It: Simple Drills You Can Start Today
Drill 1: Wall Drill for Posture
Stand with your butt touching a wall. Take practice swings without losing contact. This builds muscle memory for maintaining your posture and avoiding early extension.

Drill 2: Head Cover Behind the Ball
Place a head cover or towel 2 inches behind the ball. Focus on avoiding it during your swing—this promotes forward shaft lean and crisp contact.

Drill 3: Brush the Grass
Set up on grass or a mat and practice just brushing the surface after where the ball would be. This helps train you to hit through the ball, not just at it.

 
Want to Know Exactly What’s Causing Your Topped Shots?
Every golfer is different. Your swing issue might be posture… or something completely unique to you.

At 2DYE4Golf, I offer personalized video swing breakdowns that go beyond tips you find on YouTube. Just send in your swing video, and I’ll give you a detailed analysis with:

What you’re doing wrong
Drills to fix it
A full voiceover and step-by-step feedback
PLUS (coming soon): A monthly subscription with live Zoom calls and multiple swing breakdowns per month
 
Ready to Fix Your Swing and Play Better Golf?
Visit 2dye4golf.com to upload your video and get your personalized swing breakdown today. Don’t waste another round guessing what’s wrong—get real help from a real coach.