Revealing the Real Causes of Thin and Topped Shots

There is a common misconception among golfers that looking up too early leads to topping the ball, whiffing or thin shots. I have checked with golf professionals from around the world on LinkedIn and not one has ever had a student “look up” on a shot.

There are three major causes of topped, whiffed, or thin shots.

The number one reason is that golfers try to deliver the club head to the ball too soon and this causes the club head to pass the hands early and start up prior to impact causing the leading edge of the club or the sole to contact the ball first instead of the club face. Any time you contact the ball near or above the middle or equator of the ball it will not get airborne. It is essential to get the grip or hands slightly past the ball prior to impact.

The number two reason is a V shaped or U shaped swing. This means the club goes up too sharply on the backswing and then again on the downswing. This is particularly frustrating since you will occasionally hit a good shot and the swing feels the same as on the bad shot. On the rare occasion when the ball happens to be right at the bottom of the V or U the result is a good shot. The main problem is there is no margin of error at the bottom of the arc.

The club should approach the ball on the downswing like an airplane coming in for a landing. Gradually descending and then leveling out, not like a dive bomber descending sharply and then pulling up quickly.

The simplest cure for both of these is to place a broken tee on the ground a couple of inches ahead of the ball and make sure you hit the tee after you hit the ball.

A third, and less common, reason is changing your posture during the swing causing the head to move up or lift. This usually is caused by trying to lift or help the ball up at impact causing your legs to straighten and prevent the club from returning to the proper impact position. Just concentrate on keeping the club low to the ground for a few inches after impact.

Under no circumstances is a problem caused by “looking up” or “taking your eye off the ball.” I once saw a woman on the driving range with her chin pressed against her chest. Of course this caused her shoulder to push her head back on the backswing. When I asked her why she did that her answer was that her husband told her to keep her head down.

In the final analysis, looking up is just another myth that keeps getting perpetuated but well-meaning golfers trying to help their friends and spouses.

One of the interesting things about golf is that anybody that can get it airborne thinks they can help other golfers. If you can’t resist the temptation to help your buddies or your wife, please don’t tell them they looked up or didn’t keep their eye on the ball.

If you are having the problem of hitting the ball thin (sculling it), have someone video your swing and send it to me at [email protected]. I’ll give you good advice on how to fix it!

Cover Photo by Cameron Flanders on Flickr