Unlocking Your Golf Potential: A Deep Dive into Biomechanics and Practice with Coach Erik Schjolberg at EJS Golf Academy

How to Stop Topping the Golf BallIntroduction: Who is Coach Erik? My name is Erik Schjolberg, but most people call me Coach Erik. With over 25 years of experience teaching golf, I’ve had the privilege of coaching PGA Tour Professionals, advanced juniors, college golfers, and many others. At my academy, EJS Golf, located in Scottsdale, AZ, I focus on helping golfers improve their skills through daily practice routines. You can learn more about my approach and philosophy at ejsgolf.com. Teaching golf is not just a job for me; it's my passion. I believe every golfer can become a better striker of the ball with the right guidance and commitment.

The Issue with Topping the Golf Ball: Topping the golf ball is a common problem that can frustrate golfers of all levels. It occurs when the club strikes the top half of the ball, resulting in weak, low shots that lack distance. Understanding and addressing the root causes of this issue is essential for improving your game. Many golfers struggle with this issue because they do not realize the subtle adjustments needed in their technique. Addressing this problem can lead to more consistent and powerful shots. Most golfers try to fix this issue by keeping their head down. There is nothing worse that a golfer can do and this old wives tale causes many issues in golf swings.

| Understanding the Fundamentals | | What Does Topping the Golf Ball Mean?Topping the ball means making contact with the upper part of the ball, which prevents it from achieving the desired trajectory and distance. This mishit often results in the ball rolling along the ground instead of soaring through the air. Understanding what causes this mishit can help you make the necessary adjustments to your swing. By recognizing the symptoms and root causes, you can take steps to correct your technique and improve your overall performance. | | Common Causes of Topping the Golf Ball | | Incorrect Setup | | Your setup can significantly impact your ability to make solid contact with the ball. If you’re too close or too far from the ball, or if your ball position is off, you’re more likely to top the ball. Ensuring that your stance, grip, and alignment are correct can help you make more consistent contact. Taking the time to properly set up before each shot can drastically reduce the chances of topping the ball. | | Poor Posture | | Maintaining the correct posture throughout your swing is crucial. A slouched or overly rigid stance can lead to inconsistencies in your swing path, increasing the chances of topping the ball. Good posture involves a slight bend at the hips, a straight back, and relaxed knees. Practicing good posture can improve your swing mechanics and lead to better ball contact. | | Swing Flaws | | Swing mechanics play a vital role in avoiding tops. A common issue is failing to maintain a steady spine angle or lifting your head during the swing. Swing flaws can stem from a lack of practice, incorrect technique, or poor habits. By identifying and correcting these flaws, you can improve your ball striking and avoid topping the ball. | Low Point || When golfers have their bottom of the arc behind the golf ball, the most common cause of the topped shot, the golf club will be traveling on a positive angle of attack.

| How to Stop Topping the Golf Ball | | Correct Your Setup | | Ensuring your setup is correct is the first step in avoiding tops. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, with the ball positioned slightly forward in your stance. Your weight should be evenly distributed between your feet. A proper setup provides a solid foundation for your swing, allowing you to make consistent contact with the ball. Regularly checking and adjusting your setup can help you avoid common pitfalls. | | Improve Your Posture | | A solid posture includes a slight bend at the hips, with your back straight and knees slightly flexed. This allows for a more controlled and consistent swing. Good posture helps you maintain balance and stability throughout your swing, leading to better ball contact. Practicing your posture regularly can help you develop muscle memory and improve your overall swing mechanics. | | Master the Swing Path | | Takeaway | | During the takeaway, focus on keeping your clubhead low to the ground for the first few inches of the swing. This helps maintain a proper swing plane. A good takeaway sets the tone for the rest of your swing, ensuring that you remain on plane and avoid topping the ball. Practicing a smooth, controlled takeaway can lead to more consistent and powerful shots. | | Downswing | | On the downswing, your goal is to make contact with the ball before the ground. This descending blow ensures you strike the ball cleanly and avoid topping it. A proper downswing involves a coordinated movement of your body, arms, and club, leading to solid contact with the ball. Focusing on a controlled downswing can help you avoid common swing flaws. | | Follow-Through | | A proper follow-through, with your weight shifting to your front foot, ensures that you maintain balance and complete the swing effectively. The follow-through is the culmination of your swing, and a good follow-through indicates that you have maintained good mechanics throughout. Practicing your follow-through can help you develop a more consistent and effective swing. |Hit in Front || Make it a focus to hit in front of the golf ball. This will produce the angle of attack that we need. It is ok to have your eyes looking ahead of the golf ball instead of at it.

| Drills and Exercises | | Setup Drill | | Practice setting up with the correct ball position and posture. Use alignment sticks to ensure your stance is square to the target line. This drill helps you develop a consistent setup routine, reducing the chances of making setup-related errors. Regularly practicing your setup can help you develop good habits and improve your overall ball striking. | | Posture Drill | | Stand against a wall with your back straight and bend at the hips, keeping your knees slightly flexed. This helps you feel the correct posture. Practicing this drill regularly can help you develop muscle memory for good posture, leading to more consistent swings. Incorporating this drill into your practice routine can help you avoid common posture-related errors. | | Swing Path Drill | | Use a towel or small object just outside your target line. Practice swinging without hitting the object to improve your swing path. This drill helps you develop a more consistent and accurate swing path, reducing the chances of topping the ball. Regularly practicing this drill can help you improve your swing mechanics and overall ball striking. |

Success Story: From Topping the Ball to Breaking 80

Meet John, a dedicated golfer in his early 40s who came to me with a common but frustrating problem: he often topped the ball, resulting in weak, low shots that rolled along the ground rather than soaring through the air. John had been playing golf for several years and was consistently scoring in the mid-80s, but he knew he could do better. He felt that his topping issue was costing him valuable strokes each round and preventing him from breaking into the 70s.

When John first came to my academy, EJS Golf in Scottsdale, AZ, he was eager to improve but unsure where to start. He had tried various tips and tricks from online videos and advice from friends, but nothing seemed to work. John needed a structured, feedback-driven approach to identify and correct the root causes of his problem.

Diagnosing the Problem

The first step was a comprehensive assessment of John's swing mechanics using advanced technology at my disposal, including the Trackman 4 Launch Monitor, 3D Pressure Plates, and 3D Video Analysis. These tools provided detailed insights into John's setup, posture, and swing path. It quickly became evident that John's issues stemmed from an inconsistent setup and poor posture, leading to an improper swing path.

Implementing the Solution

I introduced John to my 15-minute per day practice program, a highly effective routine designed to make substantial improvements with minimal time commitment. The key to this program is consistent, focused practice that targets specific areas for improvement. For John, this meant:

1. Correcting His Setup: Ensuring his feet were shoulder-width apart, with the ball positioned slightly forward in his stance. This provided a solid foundation for his swing.

2. Improving His Posture: Emphasizing a slight bend at the hips, a straight back, and slightly flexed knees to maintain balance and control throughout the swing.

3. Mastering the Swing Path: Focusing on a smooth takeaway, a controlled downswing making contact with the ball before the ground, and a balanced follow-through.

Daily Practice Drills

Each day, John committed to the following drills as part of his 15-minute routine:

• Setup Drill: Using alignment sticks to ensure his stance was square to the target line and his ball position was correct.

• Posture Drill: Practicing against a wall to feel the correct posture and maintain it during his swing.

• Swing Path Drill: Swinging over a towel placed just outside his target line to improve his swing path and avoid topping the ball.

Results and Transformation

John's dedication to the program quickly paid off. Within a few weeks, he noticed a significant reduction in topped shots. His ball contact became cleaner and more consistent, leading to more accurate and powerful shots. As a result, his confidence on the course grew, and his scores began to improve.

Over the next few months, John consistently practiced his 15-minute routine, supplemented by periodic lessons and feedback sessions at EJS Golf. His hard work and commitment led to remarkable progress. He gradually saw his scores drop from the mid-80s to the mid-70s. The strokes he had been losing to topping the ball were now being saved, translating into lower scores and a more enjoyable golfing experience.

Timing: Striking the Perfect Balance

In golf, timing is paramount. The coordination of ground reaction forces can make or break your swing. Optimal utilization of these forces, as per Cheetham et al. (2008), depends on achieving a balance between power and control. Therefore, attention to timing is imperative for golfing excellence.

Implementing Theory: Practical Application of Ground Reaction Forces

Understanding ground reaction forces is just the beginning; their practical application is key. Even slight modifications in foot positioning can significantly affect torque and horizontal forces, as demonstrated by Hume et al. (2005). Incorporating exercises that enhance core strength and flexibility can also markedly improve your interaction with these forces (Leadbetter & Huggan, 2012).

Case Study: Dramatic Improvement in Clubhead Speed

As the founder of EJS Golf Academy, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of our training approach. A notable example is a student who increased her clubhead speed from 75 mph to 98 mph within four months. This case study delves into her journey, detailing the statistical improvements and the specific drills used at our academy to achieve these results.

Initial Assessment and Training Regimen

Upon joining EJS Golf Academy, the student's baseline clubhead speed was 75 mph, with an average driving distance of 180 yards. Our training regimen, leveraging technologies like Trackman 4 Launch monitor and Hackmotion, focused on enhancing ground reaction forces and optimizing the attack angle.

Milestones and Scoring Impact

After four months, her clubhead speed soared to 98 mph, translating to an additional 60 yards in driving distance. Her scores also improved dramatically, consistently falling below 90 strokes. This case illustrates the substantial impact of a dedicated, feedback-driven training approach.

Conclusion: Embracing Individuality in Golf Performance

Every golfer is unique, necessitating a personalized approach to mastering ground reaction forces. At EJS Golf Academy, we recognize and cater to the individual characteristics of each golfer, unlocking levels of mastery previously unattainable. Explore our offerings at ejsgolf.com/about, and delve into our specialized Scottsdale golf lessons and online lessons at ejsgolf.com/scottsdale-lessons and ejsgolf.com/online-lessons.

FAQs: Understanding and Leveraging Ground Reaction Forces

1. What are the three ground reaction forces in a golf swing?

   • Vertical, horizontal, and torque forces form the trio of ground reaction forces.

2. How does understanding these forces aid in swing improvement?

   • Mastering these forces leads to better control, precision, and power in your swing.

3. Why are sequencing and timing crucial in golf?

   • Optimal sequencing and timing ensure a balanced and powerful swing.

4. What strategies can amplify the impact of these forces?

   • Fine-tuning your setup and focusing on physical conditioning can optimize these forces.

5. Is the interaction with these forces the same for every golfer?

   • No, individual traits dictate your unique interaction with these forces, highlighting the importance of customized training.

Erik Schjolberg

EJS Golf Academy

Scottsdale Golf Lessons

Online Golf Lessons