Golf tips from the Pro
Golf Tips from the Pro is a series that features tips from our professional golf coaches. This month’s contribution provided by Australian PGA Professional, Mr Garry J. Doolan, focuses on topping a ball.
Garry Doolan’s golfing career spans over 35 long years, having owned and operated golf shops and driving ranges, in addition to playing and coaching golf. As one of the most sought-after coaches in Australia and Singapore, Garry has been coaching full-time for the past 25 years, during which he also headed eight golfing venues.
Over the years, Garry has introduced golf to thousands of people, a testament of his deep passion for golf.
In this article, Garry gives his tip on….
How to stop topping a ball
Topping the ball happens when you hit the ball above its equator and to avoid topping, you should not try to lift the ball on impact. Hitting down at impact will create backspin, the harder you hit … the more spin you will create and the higher the ball will fly. Remember the ball must go forward before it goes up.
When hitting an iron shot, you should also take a divot after the ball, like the pros do. This will make the ball spin backwards when it lands on the green.
Picture 1 – Arms bending and pulling upwards towards the body (definitely a topped shot)
Picture 2 – Here I have released the club too early on the downswing causing the clubhead to come up at impact. Definitely a topped shot.
Picture 3 – This is the correct impact position: left arm stretching on the downswing reaching for the ball, hands and club head matching at impact, you should feel a stretching of the bicep’s fore arms lateral muscles and the left wrist to create the correct impact position with all your clubs.
If you have any questions for Garry, or would like to learn golf from him, contact him at 9338 5739.