Why You Top the Ball on Your Golf Swing

We’ve already addressed the causes of chunked shots. Now, let’s tackle topping the golf ball—a frustrating yet predictable mishit, most often rooted in just two swing flaws. The best part? Both are completely fixable with mindful technique and proper awareness.

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1. Hanging Back Instead of Shifting Forward

A primary culprit behind topping shots is an improper weight shift or "hanging back" on your trail leg during the downswing. Rather than moving your hips toward the target, golfers often stay planted on their back foot. This disrupts the swing’s low point, causing the club to bottom out prematurely—resulting in thin or topped strikes.

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Fix it with this tweak:

• At setup, bump your hips slightly closer to the target.
• Practice half-swings focusing on shifting your weight forward through impact.
• This encourages a descending strike, helping the club reach the ball before the ground.

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2. The Chicken Wing—Folding Your Lead Arm at Impact

The "chicken wing" occurs when your lead arm bends or flares outward through and after impact—breaking the connection with your torso. This collapse not only robs power but forces the club to strike the ball too high (i.e., topping it).

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Fix it with these corrections:

• Focus on keeping your lead arm extended through impact and into the follow-through.
• Use drills that reinforce connection—like placing a headcover under your front arm during practice swings to train yourself not to pull away.
• Develop better lower-body engagement to drive the swing, reducing reliance on your arms for power.

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Final Thoughts

Topped shots are often caused by two root issues: not transferring weight forward into the shot, and collapsing your lead arm at impact. Addressing these through deliberate setup adjustments and solid practice drills can transform your ball striking.

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