Driving · Drill
Stop Topping Your Driver
Part of our driving programs for push or pull, topped or thin. Build a program with it
Topped drives usually mean the bottom of your swing rose above the ball. That happens when you stand up or pull your arms in on the way down. So stay in your posture through impact. Keep your arms extended. And stop trying to lift the ball. The loft and the tee do that for you. Put a second tee in the ground a few inches in front of the ball. Try to clip it after the ball.
The drill
- Push a second tee into the ground four inches ahead.
- Set up with your chest over the ball.
- Swing to clip the front tee after the ball.
- Keep your head level until the ball is gone.
- Count how many of ten you strike well.
Why it works
A topped drive happens when the lowest point of your swing is above the ball's equator. Standing up or pulling your arms in raises that low point and lifts the clubhead. A second tee ahead of the ball gives you a target on the ground past the ball, so you keep your posture and extension until after impact. The loft on the driver and the height of the tee launch the ball, so you do not need to scoop it.
Common mistakes
- You stand up through impact and your chest rises.Keep your chest pointed at the ball until it has left, and let your body turn rather than lift.
- You pull your arms in toward your body on the downswing.Let your arms hang and extend toward the front tee so the club travels out past the ball.
- You try to help the ball up by hitting upward or scooping.Trust the loft and the tee, and focus only on clipping the front tee after the ball.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball launches off the middle of the face and climbs instead of running along the ground.
- You clip or brush the front tee after the ball, not before it.
- Your head stays level and your chest still faces the ball just after impact.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Set the ball on a taller tee and swing at half speed until you clip the front tee reliably.
Harder: Move the front tee a little further ahead, or hit all ten with a full swing and hold your finish for three seconds.
Common questions
Why do I top my driver but not my irons?
The driver is longer and the ball sits higher and further forward, so a small rise in your posture lifts the low point above the ball. Irons sit on the ground, which gives you more room for error.
How high should I tee the ball to stop topping it?
Tee it so about half the ball sits above the top of the driver face at address. Teeing too low or too high makes contact harder to find.
