Trouble
Shots like topping the
ball
is
a series of lessons focusing
on some of the more common problems
a player may incounter while playing.
Topping the ball:
(Topping the ball is when you hit the
top of the ball sending it along the ground a relatively short
distance.)
Why does this happen?
There are 3 aspects of the
swing which are responsible for the majority of these topped
shots.
They involve the posture and are
related to the legs, the
hips and the arms.
Legs - Hips - Arms:
The Legs:
The legs should maintain
the same degree of flex during the backswing and forward swing.
Proper motion:
As the shoulders cause the hips to turn, the legs should maintain the
same degree of flex as shown in the photo.
Improper motion:
This shows the right leg straightening during the backswing.
This can cause numerous problems ranging from poor weight transfer to a
possible tilting of the upper body.
The Hips:
The address position (tilt of the upper
body) must be maintained during the swing. The upper
body (the spine) which is guided by the shoulders, should rotate around
a fixed axis.
Proper
motion:
The angle of the upper body (or tilt) is maintained during the
backswing.
Improper motion:
This shows the upper body straigtening during the backswing, one of the
key causes in topping the ball.
The arms:
Instead of maintaining the radius during the
backswing, if the left arm bends, this will reduce the size of the arc,
possibly causing the ball to be topped during the forward
swing.
Proper motion:
The proper motion should show both arms extended at impact ensuring
good contact.
Improper motion:
This shows both arms bent
in the impact zone resulting in a topped shot.
Happy
Golfing!!!
Topping
the Ball
Uphill, Downhill and
Sidehill Lies
Pushing & Pulling
your Shots
Playing in
the Rain
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