I Topped So Many Balls My First Year That I Started Apologizing to the Grass
Okay, so here's what nobody tells you: the topped shot is the most embarrassing miss in golf, and it happens to every beginner more times than we'd ever admit. I know, because I spent my first six months skimming ball after ball across the fairway like I was trying to play hockey instead of golf. I'd set up, swing with all my might, and the club would catch the top of the ball, sending it skittering thirty feet down the grass while my playing partners looked away politely. It wasn't until Earl pulled me aside at the Beckley range and said, "Friend, you're not lifting the ball—you're hitting the top of it because your body's rising up," that the light finally clicked. I'm Maya Chen, and I've topped more balls than most people have ever hit. The good news is, topping is almost always caused by one of three simple mistakes, and all three can be fixed in a single range session. Let me show you how, so you can stop apologizing to the turf and start watching the ball fly.
Why You Should Trust Me on This
I started golf in 2023 knowing absolutely nothing, and for months, the topped shot was my signature move. I topped 7-irons, hybrids, even a driver once—which is a special kind of humiliation. I've read every tip, watched every video, and spent hours on the range trying to stop. What finally worked wasn't a gadget or a magic swing thought; it was understanding the three root causes and fixing them one at a time. I'm not a pro, and I won't pretend this will make you a ball-striking machine. But it will help you get the ball airborne more often, and that's the first step to enjoying this game. I may earn a small commission if you buy through my links, but I only recommend what I'd suggest to a friend. And I'll never call you a dummy for topping it—I've been there, and it's not your fault.
The Three Causes of Topping (And How to Fix Each)
Topping happens when the club hits the ball above its equator, sending it low and skittering. For most beginners, there are three reasons this happens, and they're all fixable. I'll walk you through each one, because understanding the cause is half the battle.
1. Your body rises up during the swing. This was my biggest issue. I'd start in a good posture, then as I swung, my legs would straighten and my chest would lift, raising the club just enough to catch the top of the ball. The fix sounds silly, but it works: keep your knees flexed through impact. Don't let them lock. I imagine I'm sitting on a slightly low stool throughout the swing. That one thought stopped more tops than any drill. If you need help with your setup, read my guide on golf stance for beginners—it covers the posture that prevents rising up.
2. You're trying to scoop the ball. Beginners think they need to lift the ball into the air, so they flip their wrists and try to help it up. That actually causes the club to bottom out behind the ball, catching the top or even whiffing. The truth is, you hit down on the ball to make it go up. The club's loft does the lifting—not your wrists. Focus on hitting down and through the ball, like you're brushing the grass under it. I say "brush the grass" in my head before every iron shot, and it keeps my wrists quiet. If you're struggling with this, a cheap swing trainer can help you feel the correct motion. Here's a search for beginner swing trainers on Amazon. If you're on a tight budget, DHgate has cheaper ones with slower shipping—order ahead if you want one for the weekend. But honestly, a rolled-up towel under your arm works just as well.
3. The ball is too far forward in your stance. With irons, the ball should be roughly in the middle of your stance. If it creeps too far forward, you'll catch it on the upswing and top it. I spent a month topping my 7-iron before Earl pointed out that the ball had drifted toward my left foot. I moved it back to center, and the ball started launching. For a more detailed breakdown of ball position, check out my stance guide—it covers this exact issue.
Three Simple Drills That Stopped My Topping
These drills changed everything for me. I did them in my living room and on the range, and within two weeks, my tops dropped from every other shot to maybe one a round. They don't require any special equipment—just your club, a mirror, and a little patience.
Drill 1: The Knees-Flexed Hold. Set up to an imaginary ball with a 7-iron. Flex your knees slightly, then make a slow backswing and pause at the top. Now, keeping your knees flexed, swing slowly down and through. The club should brush the ground just in front of where the ball would be. Do this ten times, focusing entirely on maintaining that slight knee bend. I did this every night for a week, and it trained my body not to rise up. It feels weird at first, but it works.
Drill 2: The Towel Drill. Place a small towel or headcover six inches behind the ball on the ground. Make practice swings without hitting the towel. This forces you to hit down on the ball, not scoop it. I did this for five minutes a day for two weeks, and my contact improved dramatically. If you don't have a towel, a broken tee or a leaf works. The point is the same: don't hit the object behind the ball.
Drill 3: The Ball Position Check. Lay a club on the ground between your feet, pointing at the target. Place the ball in the center of your stance, and use the club on the ground as a reference. Take a few practice swings, and check that the ball hasn't moved. I used this drill before every range session, and it fixed my creeping ball position. If you want to take alignment seriously, a set of alignment sticks can help. Here's a search for alignment sticks on Amazon. They cost less than $20 and last forever. If you're on a budget, DHgate has cheaper ones with slower shipping. But you don't need them—just use a spare club.
Three Honest Drawbacks of Working on Your Topping
I won't pretend this is a quick or painless fix. Here are three real frustrations you'll face, and how to push through them.
1. It feels like a step backward at first. When you start keeping your knees flexed and hitting down on the ball, it might feel weird, and you might actually top a few more before it clicks. That's normal. Your body is unlearning a bad habit, and that takes a little time. I topped my first five balls after changing my setup, and I nearly gave up. Stick with it for two weeks before you judge.
2. The fix isn't the same for every club. You might fix your 7-iron tops and still top your driver. That's because the driver swing is a little different—you sweep it, not hit down on it. I covered the driver-specific fix in my guide on how to drive a golf ball. For irons, focus on hitting down; for driver, focus on sweeping. Don't try to apply one fix to every club.
3. You'll top again under pressure. Even after you fix it, the topped shot will return when you're nervous or tired. I still top one occasionally, especially on the first tee with people watching. The key is not to panic. Take a deep breath, go back to your setup, and remember "brush the grass." Topping is not a life sentence; it's just a reminder to slow down.
Red Flags: Signs You're About to Top It Again
If you see these warning signs before a shot, step back and reset. I do this all the time, and it saves me from the embarrassment.
🚩 Your knees are locking as you start the downswing. You're going to rise up and top it.
🚩 The ball has drifted forward in your stance. Move it back to center.
🚩 You're thinking "lift the ball up." That thought causes scooping and tops. Replace it with "hit down and through."
🚩 Your grip is so tight your forearms are tense. You're going to jerk the club. Loosen up and swing smooth.
If you catch any of these, take a breath, reset your stance, and make a slower, shorter swing. Topping usually comes from trying too hard. Softer swings make better contact.
What to Do When You Finally Hit a Clean Iron Shot
The first time you catch an iron perfectly and the ball launches high and lands soft, you'll feel a little jolt of pure joy. It's not as flashy as a long drive, but it's the shot that makes you want to play again. I remember my first truly clean 7-iron—it was on the practice range, and the ball flew exactly where I was looking. I laughed out loud, and then I hit twenty more because I wanted to feel it again. That's the moment the game gets you. The topped shots will still happen, but now you know how to fix them, and that knowledge is power.
If you want to build a practice routine that eliminates topping for good, my golf practice routine guide will give you a plan. And if you want to work on your full swing, start with golf swing basics. For putting, I've got a guide on how to putt for beginners as well.
Who Should NOT Worry About Topping Right Now
If you're brand new and still learning to make any contact at all, then don't obsess over topping. Just hit balls, get comfortable, and focus on having fun. Topping is a problem for people who are already making consistent contact; if you're still whiffing occasionally, your priority is simply swinging the club. I topped balls for months before I even understood what a topped shot was. Give yourself time.
If you have back or wrist issues, be careful with the drills that involve hitting down on the ball. Hitting down with an iron can put extra strain on your wrists and back, especially if your technique is off. If something hurts, stop and talk to a pro or a doctor. I had to modify my practice because of a sore wrist, and it was worth it to avoid an injury.
And if you're already a low-handicap golfer who rarely tops the ball, then this article is too basic for you. You know this stuff. Go work on your short game, and leave us beginners to our grass-brushing drills.
Frequently Asked Questions About Topping the Golf Ball
Why do I keep topping the golf ball?
Topping is almost always caused by one of three things: your body rising up during the swing, your wrists scooping at the ball, or the ball being too far forward in your stance. Fix those three, and most tops disappear. I'd start with the knees-flexed drill above.
How do I stop topping my irons?
Keep your knees flexed through impact, hit down and through the ball instead of scooping it, and check that the ball is in the center of your stance. I used the towel drill to learn the downward strike, and it changed everything. Ten minutes a day for two weeks, and you'll see a difference.
Is topping the ball a swing or setup problem?
Usually both. A poor setup—ball too far forward, knees locked—sets you up to top, and then a swing fault like rising up or scooping finishes the job. That's why I always check my setup first, then work on my swing. The mirror drill is great for catching setup issues.
Can a swing trainer help with topping?
Yes, especially a flexible-shaft trainer or a simple impact bag. They teach you to swing through the ball instead of scooping at it. I've used a few, and they helped me feel the correct downward strike. But you can also use a rolled-up towel for free. The key is consistent practice, not the gadget.
How long does it take to stop topping the ball?
With focused practice, most beginners see improvement in two to three weeks. I noticed a change after my first session with the towel drill, but it took a month before my tops were rare instead of regular. Be patient, do the drills, and don't expect perfection overnight.
Where to Go From Here
Now that you understand topping, the next step is building a practice routine that reinforces the fix. My practice routine guide will help you structure your range time. Then check out swing basics to put the whole swing together. If you're still building your gear, the beginner gear hub has honest recommendations for everything you need, from clubs to tees.
And if you want to test your new, non-topped swing on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to a fairway that's ready for you. Now go brush the grass, keep those knees soft, and watch the ball fly. You've got this.