Topped Golf Shot Mystery Revealed
Understanding the Myth Behind Topped Golf Shots || EJS Golf Academy
The Myth Behind Topped Golf Shots
Read all the way to the bottom for your FREE Practice Guide. Also, know that you can find reviews and more instruction from me at Swingyard.com. Hi friends and golfers! My name is Coach Erik Schjolberg coming to you from Scottsdale, AZ. I teach at my academy, EJS Golf, located at McCormick Ranch Golf Course.
If you're an avid golfer, chances are you've experienced the frustration of topping a golf shot. It's a common issue that many golfers struggle with, and it often leads to poor results on the course. But what if I told you that the solution to topping your shots isn't what you've been led to believe? In this article, we'll debunk the myth behind topping golf shots and provide you with a clear understanding of why it happens and how to fix it.
For years, golfers have been told that topping shots is a result of lifting their heads during the swing. Coaches and fellow golfers have likely repeated the mantra, "Keep your head down!" as a solution to the problem. But according to Erik Schjolberg, a golf instructor with 30 years of experience, this advice is misleading.
Coach Erik Schjolberg explains that in all his years of teaching, he has never witnessed a student topping a shot due to lifting their head. In fact, when he reviews video footage of golfers topping shots, he rarely sees evidence of their heads coming up. So why does topping happen if it's not related to head movement?
The key to understanding why topping shots occur lies in understanding the club's motion during the swing. Schjolberg describes a common issue known as "casting," where the club is thrown outwards early in the downswing. This casting motion closes the clubface and causes the low point of the swing to be behind the ball. As a result, the golfer ends up hitting the top of the ball, resulting in a topped shot.
To fix this issue, coach explains that golfers should focus on achieving a negative angle of attack and having the club's lowest point in front of the ball. This means hitting down on the ball and making contact before the lowest point of the swing arc. Schjolberg offers several helpful drills to train the body to achieve this desired impact position.
The first drill involves placing a quarter or a small tee in front of the ball. The golfer's goal is to swing in a way that allows them to hit the quarter or tee instead of the ball. This drill helps train the body to shift the low point of the swing forward and achieve a negative angle of attack.
If you don't have a quarter or small tee, you can use an alignment stick or a golf club instead. Placing the stick or club behind the ball helps create a visual reference point for the golfer. By aiming to hit the ball in front of the stick or club, golfers can again focus on achieving the desired impact position.
Schjolberg emphasizes that the key to successful ball striking is getting the low point of the swing in front of the ball consistently. This consistency allows golfers to make more solid contact, leading to improved distance and accuracy. By eliminating fat shots and topped shots, golfers can elevate their game and enjoy a more fulfilling golfing experience.
It's essential to understand that topping a golf shot is not solely due to lifting your head during the swing. This misconception has led many golfers down a path of frustration and confusion. Instead, focusing on achieving a negative angle of attack and getting the club's lowest point in front of the ball offers a more effective solution to topping shots.
Next time you find yourself struggling with topped shots, don't blame your head movement. Instead, reassess your swing mechanics and work on achieving the correct impact position. By adopting coach Schjolberg's advice, you can overcome this common issue and take your golf game to new heights.
In conclusion, the myth that topping golf shots is a result of lifting your head is inaccurate. Topping shots happen due to early casting and improper impact mechanics. By understanding the true cause of topped shots and implementing the correct drills and techniques, golfers can improve their ball striking and enjoy better results on the course. So let go of the misconception and focus on the real solution to topping shots. Your golf game will thank you.
