Why can't I stop topping my 3 wood?!

[StuartCrees]

Hi guys,

I'm stuck.. I used to hit my mates Nike Vapor 3 wood absolutely no problem (off the tee, never used it off the deck). I've only recently got my own (TM Aero Burner) as I have the Aero Burner Irons, so thought I'd get the wood as I get on well with the irons.

Whatever I do I seem to top the ball.. no matter how high or low I tee it. I hit it the same as I hit the Vapor wood too.. I just can't seem to work it out.. any tips?

Many thanks,

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Could be one of many things because we can't see your swing. I used to be inconsistent with this type of strike and my pro got me to lean forward more, I was too upright. That solved it for me, plenty of other issues though, but that may not be the solution for you. No silver bullet unless you can post a video I'm afraid. (I would not critique your swing by the way but there are some good people on here who could help)

 

[pendodave]

They may have different shaft lengths? Hard to tell online, but looks like the nike is 1/2 inch longer.

For me, if I don't work hard on staying behind the ball I get a bit steep and sometimes this causes the top.

In truth, you need to either vid yourself or pay good money to have someone look at you.

 

[stevek1969]

i found a great tip on Youtube bt Me and My Golf tried it and it works

 

[Alex1975]

Take a little divot for a while in practice.

 

[duncan mackie]

A lot of people I see topping fairway woods are hitting very fat and bouncing the club sole up into the ball. This requires significantly different 3 medial actions than pure topping!

Best starting point is 1 to watch the clubhead contact the ball and 2 use impact tape on the club face to seen what's really happening there.

 

[bobmac]

I can't really help until I know what you mean.

'Topping the ball' means to me that you're getting ahead of the ball, causing the club to come down steeply and driving the ball into the ground.

'Thining the ball' is the opposite where your head is behind the ball hanging back when the club bottoms out too soon and hits the ball on the way up.

If you top the ball, it will bounce down the fairway.
If you thin it, it will scream away about 6 feet off the ground like a missile and will sting in the fingers.

 

[Alex1975]

I can't really help until I know what you mean.

'Topping the ball' means to me that you're getting ahead of the ball, causing the club to come down steeply and driving the ball into the ground.

'Thining the ball' is the opposite where your head is behind the ball hanging back when the club bottoms out too soon and hits the ball on the way up.

If you top the ball, it will bounce down the fairway.
If you thin it, it will scream away about 6 feet off the ground like a missile and will sting in the fingers.

Oh, I had always considered that "topping" was hitting the ball above the equator and "thinning" was a lesser version of this.

 

[Beezerk]

Easy solution to this one, buy a Nike Vapor 3 wood 😁

 

[StuartCrees]

I'll try get a video when I play tomorrow. Thanks for the tips guys. And yes it is bouncing down the fairway.. I'm pretty much swinging the same as I do a driver.. would the shaft stiffness affect this? I haven't been playing long so it's tough to work out what I'm doing wrong!

 

[bobmac]

I'll try get a video when I play tomorrow. Thanks for the tips guys. And yes it is bouncing down the fairway.. I'm pretty much swinging the same as I do a driver.. would the shaft stiffness affect this? I haven't been playing long so it's tough to work out what I'm doing wrong!

Do you take big divots with your shorter irons?

 

[upsidedown]

http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/videos/long-game-tips/strike-your-fairway-woods-video

 

[pendodave]

I haven't been playing long so it's tough to work out what I'm doing wrong!

Trying to hit a 3 wood off the fairway...

I play with a couple of guys in single figures who have a 5 wood as their longest fairway. Get a better flight and more consistent distance. 3w off the deck is one of the hardest shots in golf.

 

[Superstriker]

I have the same issue.And my problem is to under plane and to much shoulder tilt at impact. Ran in problems with numerous cold tops of driver / hybrids and long irons. Stuck and under is my problem.Trying to get steeper into the ball

 

[StuartCrees]

Just about to go out.. will let you know how I get on!

@pendodave, I top it off the tee too!

 

[patricks148]

The old pro at my club gave me a good 3 wood tip when i played with him one day.

struggling with it, move it back a bit in your stance... works every time for me

 

[ScienceBoy]

Topping the ball is where you hit into the ground, you may hit the top of the ball but you are also hitting it down into the ground.

Thins are hit in the way up or blade/leading edge first.

It's pretty hard to hit the ball with the sole of the club but a top feels like it.

Cure is a toughie as many causes, plain and simple you are not hitting the ball correctly.

Does your standard iron ball position and swing hit a good shot with it?

I use the same full swing and setup from wedge to wood, only differ for driver and short game.