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Avoid Fat and Thin Shots All clubs Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 10 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Swing Arc and Topped Shots: Three Causes, Three Drills

The peak occurs when the club’s arc reaches its lowest point before the ball, then begins to rise. Peter Finch identifies three reasons—all related to the desire to help the ball rise—and provides an exercise for each, from the wedge to the driver.

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Peter Finch
Peter Finch · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

6 minSame problemGripping Down When Chipping, by Van de VeldeJean Van de Velde · Beginner / Intermediate8 minNext Level UpFat Shot from Tipping Back: Right Shoulder Toward the BallLewis Wallace · Intermediate15 minFrom the same proShape Your Golf Shots: Draw, Fade, Stinger and StraightPeter Finch · Expert

What the lesson shows

Peter Finch starts from the’swing arc: the nearly circular path of the clubhead around the body. When it reaches its lowest point too early, it swings back up and strikes the ball above its equator. It resembles the’angle of attack: When the ball is on the ground, you swing down (ball then ground); on a small tee, you can swing down or up; with a driver on a large tee, you swing up. The ball resting on the ground is the most difficult, because your instinct is to try to help it rise.

Three causes. Lean Back: The sternum, the center of the swing, moves back behind the ball, and the clubhead hits the ground too early. Exercise: As you come down, press down on your left foot to align your left shoulder, left knee, and left foot at impact. Bend your arms At impact: the clubhead rises. Exercise: half-swings and long chips, with arms extended on the backswing and follow-through. Break the left wrist (the flip). Exercise: Place a tee 7 to 10 cm behind the ball; sweep it away after hitting the ball. When using a driver, the same principles apply, with the ball positioned inside your left foot so you can swing upward as you hit it.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Take a few practice swings, pressing down on your left foot as you begin the downswing.
  2. Upon impact, align your left shoulder, left knee, and left foot.
  3. Using an 8-iron or a wedge, with your sternum above the ball, do half-swings with your arms straight.
  4. Stop at the finish and make sure both arms are extended toward the target.
  5. Do a series of short chips, then gradually lengthen your swing.
  6. Place a tee 7 to 10 cm behind the ball and aim to hit the ball and the tee.
  7. When using a driver, place the ball inside your left foot and keep your sternum behind the ball.

Key Takeaways

You take a thin shot when the bow reaches its lowest point before the ball.
Ground ball: Hit it on the way down—ball, then ground.
Leaning back shifts the center of the swing behind the ball.
Arms that bend upon impact pull the bow back.
A left wrist that snaps (flip) completely changes the impact.
With the driver, positioning the ball inside your left foot allows you to swing upward.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Lean back to help the ball rise.
  • Lean too far forward, then lean back and flicker.
  • Bend your arms as you reach the ball.
  • Bend your left wrist upon impact.
  • Attempting to hit the ball while moving forward with the ball on the ground.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Test swings: left shoulder, left knee, and left foot in a straight line
  2. Half-swings with straight arms, hold at the finish
  3. A series of short chips before the full swings
  4. Tee placed behind the ball, to be mowed

Your Questions

Why does the top occur more often when the ball is on the ground?

Because our instinct is to want to help her get on. Peter Finch explains that by leaning back to lift her, we actually cause the bow to touch the ground too early.

Where should you place the tee for the anti-flip drill?

About 7 to 10 cm past the ball, on the target side. The goal is to hit the ball and then sweep the tee, which is very difficult if your left wrist bends.

Do these exercises apply to the driver?

Yes, except for the swing after the ball at the tee. With the ball inside the left foot and the sternum remaining behind it, the club passes its lowest point before the ball and strikes it on the way up.

Learn More

All “Avoiding Fat and Thin Shots” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Gripping Down When Chipping, by Van de VeldeShortening the grip brings you closer to the ball and makes your swing more vertical: the clubhead leaves the ground sooner and strikes the ball in the center, without a fat shot or a top. Thin Shots and Early Extension: The Chair DrillA thin shot comes from the pelvis moving early toward the ball; to keep your spine angle: a chair against your backside, and Woods' low downswing. Fat Shot from Tipping Back: Right Shoulder Toward the BallThe “gratte aux fers” comes from tilting the upper body backward: the sternum in front of the ball (“right shoulder toward the ball”), controlled by a stick. Peter FinchAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Peter Finch). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

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