Topping the golf ball is caused by hitting your ball on the upswing instead of the downswing. When you top the ball, which usually happens with irons and woods, it bounces and rolls down the fairway instead of getting airborne. But as frustrating as it can be to top the ball, it's an easy fix once you figure out why it's happening. 

• Keep the club low for about the first 18 inches of your backswing. This helps create a wide arc that your downswing should follow.
• Keep your left arm straight all the way through the shot.
• Keep your left wrist firm through impact and followthrough, and make sure your wrists are head of the clubhead. 
• Take a divot big enough to tell that the club touched the ground.
• Don't play the ball too far forward. Play it toward the middle of your stance--no farther forward than your left heel, but no farther than 3-4 inches behind it. 

See there? A few quick adjustment and you're back in the game! 

Want to know the key to greater distance and solid ball striking?  Club head speed.  Try these tips to revamp your swing and improve your game.

Proper Grip

The V’s between your thumbs and forefingers should point toward your back shoulder.  Make sure you always grip the club lightly; gripping the club too tightly is the biggest reason that most average golfers struggle with club head speed.

Arm Extension

Extend your arms through the impact area. When the club head strikes the ball, your arms should be fully extended.  Average golfers have a tendency to pull the club in toward their bodies as they strike the ball, which slows down your swing causing distance loss and mis-hits.

Proper Hip Movement

As your front hip clears properly in your downswing, the club will act as a slingshot, creating and releasing energy with strong centrifugal force during ball impact.

 

What is the golf flop shot?

The flop is a lop or chip shot used to get the ball over a hazard that stands between you and the green, or if you need the ball to stop quickly once it lands on the green.  For this shot, a high-lofted wedge is used to produce maximum height, send the ball on a hightly arced route and stopping on impact with minimum roll.  

Which club should you use?

The best club for playing the golf flop shot is the lob wedge. It was specifically designed to play these shots, and has a 60- to 64- degree loft. Other wedges can be used as long as they're played with an open clubface.

Making a golf flop shot

• Open your stance as ell as your clubface
• Play the ball from the big toe of your front foot
• Use a wine stance, as this shot uses mostly your arms and shoulders
• Take a longer swing than you normally would so the clubface slides under the ball. 
• Aim just behind the ball so you can slide under it. 
• Follow through to avoid shorting it or causing it to roll once it hits the green.   

Unfortunately, penalties are a normal part of the game. Here's a handy list that contains for of the more common penalties in the rules of golf. 

Rule 4-4 Too many clubs

Only 14 clubs are allowed in your golf bag on the course. If you're found with more than 14 clubs, you lose a hole in match play for up to two holes. During stroke play, it'll cost you a two-stroke penalty for up to four holes.

Rule 6-6D Recording the wrong score

If you record a score that's lower than your actual score, you're disqualified. If you record a score that's higher than your actual score, you're not disqualified, but you can't change your score.

Rule 10 Shooting out of turn

 There's not a penalty for playing when it's not your turn, but whoever you're playing with can ask you to play the shot over in the correct order. 

Rule 13-4 Grounding the club

You can't ground the club in a hazard. It results in a two-stroke penalty or the loss of the hole during match play.

Rule 18-2B Moving the ball

There's a one-stroke penalty if your ball moves after address, and you must move the ball back to its original location. 

18-2C Impediments

You can remove an impediment as long as both the ball and the impediment aren't in a hazard. Moving the impediment and causing the ball to roll is a 1 stroke penalty and you have to replace the ball in its original location.

Rule 26-1 Water Hazards

There are three options for water hazards.
1. Play the ball where it lies
2. Take a one-stroke penalty and hit the ball from the original spot. 
3. Take a one-stroke penalty and take a drop behind the water hazard

Rule 27-1 Out of Bounds

This shot incurs a stroke and distance penalty.

Rule 28 Unplayable ball

A ball can be declared unplayable so long as it's not in a water hazard. If you deem your ball unplayable, you must take a one-stroke penalty and a drop. The drop must be within two club lengths and no closer the hole that it was when it landed.