Topping the Golf Ball? Here's Why It Happens and How to Stop It

Topping the Golf Ball? Why It Happens — and How Expert DFW Lessons Stop It

Topping the ball is a familiar — and frustrating — mistake that robs shots of height, distance, and confidence. It happens when the clubhead contacts the upper part of the ball, producing a thin, low shot instead of clean contact. Below we break down why it happens, share drills you can practice, and explain how Better than Bogey Golf uses tailored coaching across Dallas–Fort Worth to help golfers stop topping for good. You’ll find clear causes, reliable drills, the benefits of coaching, and how to book a lesson.

What Causes Topping the Golf Ball? Understanding Common Swing Faults

Topping most often comes from small mistakes in your swing sequence. Fixing those faults — not power — is what gets the club back to the correct low point and produces cleaner, more consistent contact.

How Does Improper Weight Shift Lead to Topping?

When your weight stays on the back foot or doesn't move forward through the shot, the club can bottom out too soon or skim the ball's top. Typical signs include hanging back at impact or a shallow swing arc. Practicing a proper weight transfer helps the club reach its low point past the ball, not above it.

Why Does Early Extension Cause Topped Shots?

Early extension — standing up or thrusting the hips toward the ball during the downswing — moves the low point forward and lifts the clubhead at impact. That change in posture often produces a topped shot. The fix is simple in concept: preserve your posture through impact and learn to rotate the hips correctly on the downswing.

Research shows measurable gains in impact and distance when early-extension patterns are corrected.

Correcting Early Extension in Golf Swings for Better Impact

A corrective training program with 13 golfers diagnosed with early extension produced clear performance gains after the intervention. Results included a club speed increase of 6.32 km/h, ball speed increase of 10.94 km/h, a reduction in max height of 6.22 m, carry increase of 10.85 m, and total distance increase of 17.96 m.

Change of impact by the early extension in during a golf driver swing, 2010

Which Drills and Techniques Effectively Fix Topping?

Targeted drills that reinforce a correct low point and proper weight transfer are the fastest way to eliminate topped shots. Below are two practical drills you can use at the range.

How to Use the Alignment Stick Drill for Low Point Control

Set an alignment stick on the ground a few inches behind and just outside the ball, pointing at your target. The goal is to strike the ground just after the ball and before the stick on every swing. This trains the club to reach its low point after the ball, reducing thin and topped shots.

What Is the Pivot-Divot Drill and How Does It Improve Weight Transfer?

The pivot-divot drill focuses on creating a shallow divot just ahead of the ball. Set up normally and swing with the intent to take a small divot in front of the ball — that forward low point forces proper weight shift onto your lead foot and encourages a descending blow. Repeat slowly until the movement becomes natural.

How Does Better than Bogey Golf’s Personalized Coaching Stop Topping in DFW?

Our coaching is built around one-on-one attention and real-course context. We identify the specific cause of your topping, give clear, repeatable corrections, and show you how to use drills on the range and in play so the changes stick.

What Are the Benefits of On-Course Instruction for Fixing Topping?

On-course lessons let you practice with real targets, lies, and pressure — exactly where topping shows up most. Instructors give immediate, situation-based feedback so you learn how to apply technique under real conditions, not just on the range.

How Does Mobile Golf Instruction Provide Convenience Across Dallas–Fort Worth?

We come to you. Our mobile lessons let you schedule coaching at your preferred course or practice facility anywhere in the DFW area. Whether you work with Rob Cacurak or another instructor on our team, you’ll get focused, personalized guidance tailored to your swing and schedule.

Who Can Benefit from Golf Lessons to Fix Topping?

Our lessons help a wide range of players — from brand-new golfers to mid-handicap players stuck in bad habits. The key is a tailored plan that addresses your specific swing pattern.

Why Are Beginners Especially Prone to Topping and How Can They Build a Solid Foundation?

Beginners often top the ball because fundamentals like grip, stance, and impact position aren’t yet reliable. Early, focused instruction builds the right mechanics so good contact becomes the norm instead of the exception.

How Do Intermediate Golfers Break the Cycle of Topping Frustration?

Intermediate players usually top out of ingrained timing or posture issues. A coach pinpoints the exact fault, prescribes targeted drills, and helps you reprogram the movement so clean contact returns under pressure.

Where Does Better than Bogey Golf Offer Lessons to Stop Topping in the DFW Metroplex?

We teach across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, so you can get the same personalized instruction no matter where you play.

What Golf Lessons Are Available in Frisco, Plano, Dallas, and Arlington?

In Frisco, Plano, Dallas, and Arlington we offer private lessons, 9-hole on-course playing lessons, and corporate clinics. Each session is tailored to the player’s needs — including focused work on topping — so you get actionable fixes from day one.

How Does Local Expertise Enhance Your Golf Swing Improvement?

Local instructors know the courses, wind patterns, and turf conditions in DFW and use that knowledge to give practical, context-aware advice. That local insight speeds improvement and makes your practice more productive.

How Can You Book Personalized Golf Lessons to Stop Topping Today?

Booking is simple — reach out for a free consultation and we’ll map out a plan that fits your goals, schedule, and skill level.

What Is the Process to Schedule a Free Consultation with Better than Bogey Golf?

Contact us to set up a free consultation. We’ll review your current game, talk through the challenges (like topping), and recommend the right lesson format and practice plan to get you hitting cleaner shots quickly.

What Should You Expect from Your First Lesson to Fix Topped Shots?

Your first lesson includes a swing assessment, focused drills to address the root cause, and clear practice targets to work on between sessions. We set measurable goals so you see progress and know exactly what to practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common misconceptions about topping the golf ball?

Players often assume topping is just a lack of practice or strength. In truth, it’s usually a specific timing or posture issue — things like poor weight shift or early extension. Fixing the mechanics and practicing the right drills is far more effective than trying to hit harder.

How can mental factors contribute to topping the golf ball?

Tension and overthinking tighten your swing and disrupt timing, which increases the chance of topping. Simple pre-shot routines, breathing, and committing to the shot help you stay relaxed and hit more solidly.

Are there specific equipment adjustments that can help prevent topping?

Certain clubs are more forgiving and can help, but equipment is a supplement, not a cure. Proper club length and clubs with a larger sweet spot can improve contact, and slightly higher tees can help with driver attack angle — but the primary fixes are swing-related.

How often should golfers practice drills to fix topping?

Practice the targeted drills two to three times a week, focusing on quality reps rather than quantity. Regular, focused practice plus periodic coach feedback yields the fastest improvement.

Can physical fitness impact a golfer's ability to avoid topping?

Yes. Core strength, hip stability, balance, and flexibility all support posture and weight transfer. Fitness work that targets these areas makes it easier to maintain the positions that produce solid contact.

What role does video analysis play in correcting topping issues?

Video lets you and your instructor see exactly what’s happening at impact. It’s a powerful feedback tool for identifying early extension, weight shift issues, or timing problems and tracking progress over time.

Conclusion

Fixing topped shots comes down to identifying the specific swing fault and practicing the right drills with consistent feedback. Personalized coaching from Better than Bogey Golf gives you a clear plan, on-course context, and the practice targets needed to make cleaner contact a habit. Ready to stop topping the ball? Book a lesson and let’s get to work.