How to Stop Topping Drives/Hooking

[Nick Woods]

I Need Help With This Please

Well let me start out by saying that I don't have this problem with irons or wedges at all. Not one bit. However, whenever I bring out a club with a head: A driver off the tee, a FW, or a Hybrid, it seems that I'm topping the ball. I'm not talking about those "duffs," where the ball barely moves. I mean, on the tee I'm hitting the ball, and it only gets abetween 3-5 yards high in the air, travels straight, then lands eventually. I get maybe 100-200 yards out of the shot, depending on how high it goes, plus I get a lot of roll. This is a major problem because it has been happening every single shot with a driver or wood in the last 4 or 5 rounds, and I mean every shot. I have noticed that this season I have had a hook shot, which is very ironic because up until now I've always had a slice. I know hook shots tend to play lower and have that forward spin, but I mean, what am I supposed to do to get the ball in the air? In the last few rounds, actually, I've been hitting the ball very straight off the tee, but it's just that it barely gets into the air. It's not a duff like really topping it, it just seems that even if I tee the ball high and hit it right on the sweet spot, it's not working out...

I generally shoot in the upper 40s, with a few 50s here and there. So far, I have tried slowing down my swing, putting the ball closer to me (as apposed to me having to stretch my arms to reach it), and pretty much everything you could think of. I don't think there's a problem with my grip, either.

If I change ball alignment, what would happen? Currently, I'm teeing it up in line with my front heel, just like you're supposed to on drives, and with the fairway woods a bit closer to the middle. Again, it doesn't ever feel like a top when I hit the ball, it feels fine; but the ball never gets higher than a couple yards vertical.

Thanks :D

[bradski]

probably trying to lift the ball instead of hit through it. make sure you hips aren't moving back with you backswing also.

[Nick Woods]

Hmm, yesterday on my last hole of the day I decided to try putting it farther back in my swing path, I placed the ball pretty much in the middle of my stance.. It actually went up into the air for the first time in ages. I tried it again today and was hitting it in the air, but it was almost too high sometimes; I think I'll work on adjusting tee height/alignment issues and eventually be able to drive it well again like last season...

[bradski]

that happens. basically I think you are not extending through the ball very well. now that you figured out the contact part. try teeing it lower until it goes the proper height or level you stance a little. also you might want to extend a little on your takeback to flatten out your swing plane.