Stop Chunking & Topping: Fix Your Golf Swing Now

Stop Chunking Your Golf Shots: Drills, Tips & Quick Wins

So you step up to a perfect lie, take your swing, and – thud – the club buries itself two inches behind the ball, sending a rooster tail of mud into the air. Or worse, you catch it thin and watch a screaming skull rocket across the fairway at ankle height.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Chunking and topping the ball are two of the most common frustrations in golf – but they share the same root cause and a very fixable solution.

This guide will show you exactly how to stop chunking and topping golf shots with the drills, practice routines, and swing thoughts that touring pros and instructors have used for decades. Best of all? You can start applying these today – on the range or even in your backyard.

Why You Chunk and Top the Ball

Before we fix the problem, we need to understand it. Both mishits – the chunk (fat shot) and the top (thin shot) – are caused by one thing: poor low point control. Your club’s swing arc has a lowest point, and where that point falls relative to the ball determines everything.

• Chunking (fat shot): Your swing arc bottoms out behind the ball, catching the turf before the clubface.
• Topping (thin shot): Your arc bottoms out too far forward, catching the ball with the leading edge on the upswing.
• Common causes: weight hanging on the back foot, dropping the shoulder, early wrist release (“scooping”), and poor ball position.

Drills That Actually Work

1. The Towel Drill (Best for Chunks)

Place a small towel or a folded headcover about four inches behind your ball. If you chunk, you’ll hit the towel – instant feedback, zero ambiguity. Pair these with a set of SKLZ Golf Alignment Sticks to keep your setup square while you drill.

2. Feet Together Drill (Best All-Around)

Stand with your feet touching. Hit short irons at 50–60% speed. This drill kills lateral sway and forces you to rotate through the ball cleanly. Do 20 reps before every range session.

3. Forward Tee Drill (Best for Tops)

Push a tee into the ground three inches in front of your ball. Your mission: clip the forward tee after impact. This single drill reprograms your arc forward and eliminates the scoop. Use an Izzo Golf Impact Bag to reinforce the feeling of a compressed, forward-leaning shaft at contact.

4. Step-Through Drill (For Tops Caused by Hanging Back)

After impact, let your trail foot step forward toward the target like a baseball swing. This forces your weight to transfer through the ball and stops the “reverse pivot” that causes you to top everything with your long irons.

Swing Thoughts That Stick

Swing thoughts work best when they’re simple and positive. Pick one per round, not three:

• “Hit the front of the ball” – redirects your focus forward of impact, curing both mishits.
• “Drive the handle toward the target” – promotes shaft lean and a descending blow.
• “Stay tall through the ball” – prevents the dip and collapse that causes chunks and tops.
• “Squeeze the turf after the ball” – encourages a proper divot in front of the ball position.
• “Land the plane on the runway” – visualize a shallow, forward-descending arc.

How Fixing These Shots Lowers Your Score & Handicap

Here’s where it gets exciting: these aren’t just cosmetic fixes. Consistent ball-striking has a measurable, compounding effect on your scorecard:

• Eliminate 3–5 penalty strokes per round by turning chunks/tops into playable shots. That alone can drop your handicap by 2–3 strokes.
• Improve GIR (Greens in Regulation) with better contact on approach shots, translating directly to more birdie and par opportunities.
• Shorter average distance to pin when you stop skulling chip shots and start making clean iron contact from the fairway.
• Increased confidence – knowing you can hit clean shots under pressure reduces hesitation and swing tension.
• Consistent ball flight means easier course management decisions. You’ll know where the ball is going before you swing.
• Better divot pattern means caddies and playing partners notice the change – and your scorecard proves it.

Your 20-Minute Practice Routine

You don’t need hours on the range. This focused routine done twice a week will produce noticeable results within 30 days:

• Minutes 1–5: Feet Together Drill with a 9-iron. 15 slow-motion swings focusing on rotation.
• Minutes 6–10: Towel Drill with a 7-iron. 15 swings. If you hit the towel, reset and go slower.
• Minutes 11–15: Forward Tee Drill. 15 swings with a 6-iron, focusing on clipping the front tee.
• Minutes 16–20: Normal swings with your single swing thought of the day. 10 balls, full speed.

Want a Personalized Game Plan?

Generic tips only go so far. Request your personalized Golf Course Intel Strategy Guide and get:

• Personalized drills and stretches based on your specific swing faults and fitness level
• A recommendation for the perfect golf ball and clubs matched to your swing speed, ball flight, and handicap
• A course management framework that helps you make smarter decisions from the first tee to the 18th green

Your game is unique – and your practice plan should be too.

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