Can't hit 3w off deck... (sometimes even hybrid)

[aec4]

I'm a friggen 3.8, and I top it!!

I can't figure it out... more evident with the 3W, but why can't I hit it off the deck? I don't just mean not hit it, I mean I look like a 25 trying to hit one off the deck. For instance, 248 out today par 5, I wait for the green to clear (I can get there with the 3w if I do hit it, or if not, very close) and I top it.. granted, I got lucky, and it was a perfect LW from there, but I missed the 6 footer, but still... I top the ball with my 3w more than I can imagine off the deck... off a very low tee, no issues with topping. (hooking another story)

[kwcsports]

I am no where near you as far as handicap, but when that happens to me it is normally when I have allowed the ball to move up in my stance. If I move it back a bit, I start hitting it solid off the deck again. It may just have creeped up an inch in your stance and you never noticed it. Just my opinion.

[GolfMN]

Same story here. You are really a low handicapper compared to myself but when I learned to do the whole wood off the deck routine I start by moving it way back, obviously as a high handicapper I lost them all right at first, but if you have no problems with the club getting ahead of your hands you should at the very least see solid contact. To my little brain that might explain the hooks off the tee, if you get down on it but its way forward it might be messing with something. I'm really nobody to help a 3.8 but I've had some good coaching (to no avail) and thats the stuff that stands out. Please remember at your level it could be something far more minute and totally beyond my knowledge as well.

[bethpage16]

when you swing off the tee, the swing arc bottoms out slightly above the ground,,,, when you do it on the deck,..... the same thing happens and you probably top the ball sometimes or just dont get hold of it....

 

two possibilities,... swing slower from the deck... it will allow you to make better contact and you will go your normal distance,,,maybe 5-10 yards shorter... or swing as if you want to take a small light divot.....either should work.... do both and you will be golden.....

[oregongolf]

have you tried just practicing hitting it with your feet together and swinging easier? it's something you'll just groove after so long.

[mrq]

hit it like if it was a long iron.. hit down on it.

[Diesel]

same boat here... most times unless i feel i have an absolute perfect lie, i lay up on par 5's to about 75 yards...

 

no sense in blowing that shot from 240 and then ending up having to hit from 150...

 

i top them, push them dead right, you name it, i'll do it...

[kiwidave]

Sounds like you've shortened you swing in the hope it would help you sweep it off the deck more.

 

Keep your left arm straight during the back swing and hit down!! Increase your right hand grip pressure . If you maintain pressure from you right hand on your left thumb your left arm will remain straight. Leading to a wider arc and allows you extend fully and catch the bottom half of the ball at impact.

 

#For right handed golfer and I hope it helps

[Golfchicago]

I have to agree with everybody else. I am currently a 2.2. I've struggled with the same issue. I've always found that my ball position tends to creep forward on me. When it gets to far forward, I start topping the ball. You mention hooking as well. Get yourself on film and see if you are on plane. You might have a litle in to swing plane as well.

[shawnee]

I had the same issue and found the solution:

 

Get my top hand (I am a righty obviously) a little more on top, and squeeze the right hand a hair harder.

 

Swing a little more upright and take a small divot.

[slicefixer]

Fella's, this one is easy........simply place a bit more weight towards your left side........WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION is one of the most misunderstood and IGNORED (along with the GRIP) aspects of properly setting up to a golf ball .....simply fool around a bit with distributing your weight more "into" your LEFT side at address......start with a feeling of 70 % or so of your weight "set" LEFT.......move it around until you "find the ball" at the correct point in YOUR swing ARC so as to strike SLIGHTLY down on the ball......both with the 3 wood and hybrids.......I'll GUARANTEE you that your topping/thinning problems WILL end....... I have TWO entirely different shots with both hybrids and 3 woods.......one for GOOD lies/off the tee/LONGER carry distance and one for "normal" shots........the ONLY difference is the placement of WEIGHT which then determines when/where the clubhead strikes the golf ball.......IF I have to CARRY the ball MY maximum distance then I set up the ball SLIGHTLY more forward (which is determined primarily from WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION at address) and attempt to "catch it" as CLOSE to the bottom of the swing ARC (as the clubhead "levels out") as possible ("pick it)......but, for probably 80% of fairway wood/hybrid shots the ball is quite definitely struck while the clubhead is moving DOWN slightly........ try it as it works... :cheesy:

[againstthegrain]

Fella's, this one is easy........simply place a bit more weight towards your left side........WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION is one of the most misunderstood and IGNORED (along with the GRIP) aspects of properly setting up to a golf ball .....simply fool around a bit with distributing your weight more "into" your LEFT side at address......start with a feeling of 70 % or so of your weight "set" LEFT.......move it around until you "find the ball" at the correct point in YOUR swing ARC so as to strike SLIGHTLY down on the ball......both with the 3 wood and hybrids.......I'll GUARANTEE you that your topping/thinning problems WILL end....... I have TWO entirely different shots with both hybrids and 3 woods.......one for GOOD lies/off the tee/LONGER carry distance and one for "normal" shots........the ONLY difference is the placement of WEIGHT which then determines when/where the clubhead strikes the golf ball.......IF I have to CARRY the ball MY maximum distance then I set up the ball SLIGHTLY more forward (which is determined primarily from WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION at address) and attempt to "catch it" as CLOSE to the bottom of the swing ARC (as the clubhead "levels out") as possible ("pick it)......but, for probably 80% of fairway wood/hybrid shots the ball is quite definitely struck while the clubhead is moving DOWN slightly........ try it as it works... :cheesy:

 

 

THANKS for taking the time !!!! I am going back to the range after the lightening.

[tbyeaton0627]

hit it like if it was a long iron.. hit down on it.

 

YEEEEESSS....hit down on it and try this, do not sole the 3 wood on the ground but just let the leading edge sit rite in the middle of the ball slightly above the ground and praactice hitting shots like that, or if you prefer to ground the club, do the same thing and then just let your left wrist uncock...the ball will look like its out on the toe but this will prevent you from shortening the shoulder to ball radius of your swing which is probably why you top it...you raise your hands through impact because if you didnt, the club would bottom out where you started your swing

[mohacker]

sweep instead of "swinging"..........