How To Stop Topping The Golf Ball With Driver?

Topping the golf ball once in a while might not be that surprising for beginners, but if it’s happening every now and then, then you might feel too much flustered and flushed. Imagine confidently swinging your driver to take a perfect shot, but it only results in an embarrassing topped shot. Instead of a nice smooth swing, your golf ball stops at a point just a few feet away. The ball needs proper contact with the driver’s head in order to be projected in a perfect projectile motion. The swing that results because of a smooth hit goes far away and covers a considerable distance.

If you don’t want to make a fool of yourself, then you must know what are the causal factors that might be contributing to topped shots and how to stop topping the golf ball with the driver. Golf ball when topped does not hit and move as the golfer planned because the angle and force that propels it are not as required for a perfect swing. After you know the correct method, only then you will be sure of what each hit will result in. No more embarrassing moments on the golf course once you know how to stop topping the golf ball. Let’s get into the details.

What Is A Topped Shot?

A topped shot results from the topping of the golf ball. Topping occurs when the driver’s face doesn’t hit the ball in the equator line. The head might be above the center of the ball and this will give less area for impact and the whole force of the swing will be shifted to the ball at the upper end instead of being in the middle or toward the lower end. The golf ball will not project and will have an imbalanced and less forceful motion as it moves forward into the air.

Apart from a poor starting motion the landing and the distance that the ball covers are not ideal. The golf ball, when hit with a driver and results in the topping, will have several contacts with the golf course and stop not very far from the golfer. The ball will either completely stay still or might have an irregular forward motion and stop a few feet away. At the time of impact, the driver must be in a perfect position, so you can have a nice shot.

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How to Stop Topping the Golf Ball With a Driver

Golfers can top golf balls with any club as the topping is not just subjected to drivers. Whether your golf ball is placed on a golf tee or on the ground the chances of topping it remains the same. You might not have one causal factor when it comes to topping a golf ball. Before you can get to know how to prevent topping you must know what causes it in the first place. Here are some of the common contributors that can lead to topping a golf ball.

1. The Alignment of The Golfer And The Ball

The golf ball and the golfer must be aligned in a comparatively parallel position, so you can get a perfect swing shot. If you put your ball ahead of your feet then your driver will not be able to hit the ball in the required position. When the ball is far then the driver’s head might have the parallel impact that is needed for a swing shot. The ball will get a hit from the upper end and result in the topping of the ball.

2. Player’s Position

The position of the golfer is quite crucial and leads to top shots in most cases. Golfers need to bend down a little so that the club can hit the golf ball at such a position that the force is exerted while making a parallel and slightly upward angle with the ball. When players stand in a straight position while hitting the ball, then there are chances that the driver will not be able to have this ideal initiating force that is required.

3. Unstable Centre of Balance

The center of balance of the golfers can lead to the enhanced rate of topping the golf ball. When you place your body in such a position that either its alignment is towards the front or towards the back, then the center of balance is disturbed. When golfers bend back then the risk of topping is more. This is because when you bend back your club will be in such a position that the driver’s head might not even touch the ball and you miss the shot.

4. Shaft Length

The problem does not always lie with the player. Many golfers complain that even after they take care of the previously mentioned factors the frequency of topping the golf ball remains the same. This can occur because the driver that they are using is not suitable for them. The length of the shaft is something that golf players should decide according to their own height and comfort. If the length is not compatible and short, then the distance between the ball and the player will be lesser and topping will be more common.

How To Stop Topping My Driver?

Stopping making topped shots is not a big deal once you know what are the contributing factors in your case. Now that you know what factors can cause topping the golf ball with a driver you can identify which one suits your situation. So, you will be able to overcome that factor to prevent topping in the future. Don’t have a clue yet? Keep on reading to find out the chopping methods for each causal factor.

1. Place the ball in the correct position as the improper alignment of the ball in reference to the player will lead to an insufficient transfer of force and can make your ball topped. For this, you will have to make sure that the ball is parallel to your front leg and that the position of the ball is not more than the left side shoulder. You can first stand to the left of the ball such that the ball is just in front of the joining part of the feet, you can later take one step back before hitting the ball to have a balanced shot.

2. Bending down a little can do wonders if you are still topping the golf balls even after having a properly aligned ball position. When players stand too much upright and straight, then the driver’s head gets a little too high and the chances of topping are more. When players bend a little the club gets back the parallel alignment and you will not have a topped shot.

3. When you lean backward the center of balance is disturbed and you will have an unstable hit. When a player is balanced their hold on the driver is firm and the hands are stiff. You need to keep your chest a little bent forward so that when you move the driver toward the ball it hits it in the equator line and has a nice projectile motion and swing.

4. Lastly you should choose a driver with a suitable shaft length according to your height. This will help you in having a perfect distance and the ability to hit the golf ball even if you keep your hands closer to your chest and not bending too much down.

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Conclusion

If you don’t want to look sheepish, then you must know how to stop topping the golf ball with the driver. You can stop topping by adjusting the alignment of the golfer and the ball. When the ball is placed farther towards the front rather than being in a side-by-side position the force will be exerted by the driver in an upward position which will lead to topping the golf ball. Keeping your center of balance stable by bending lower, having a suitable shaft length, and having proper posture can also make a difference.

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