Thin / Topped Tee Shot
A low, weak shot where the leading edge catches the top half of the ball, often skittering along the ground.
Why it happens
This happens when the club contacts the ball above its equator, or catches it before the swing has reached its natural low point, usually from teeing it too low, standing up out of the shot, or trying to lift the ball into the air manually.
Possible causes in your swing, and how to fix each one
Tap any cause to see its fix. Work through them one at a time, usually one or two are the real culprit.
1Ball teed too low or too far back
A driver is designed to be struck slightly on the upswing, if the ball is too low or too far back in the stance, you catch it before that upward move happens.
2Standing up through impact (early extension)
3Trying to scoop the ball into the air
Actively trying to lift the ball with your hands and wrists gets in the way of solid, compressed contact.
4Grip pressure too tight
Excess tension creates a jerky, decelerating motion that's hard to time consistently.
When to stop self-diagnosing
If you've genuinely worked through two or three of these causes over several range sessions and the miss keeps showing up, that's not a failure since it usually means the real cause is something you can't feel or see in your own swing. A single 30-minute lesson with a certified instructor, who can watch you hit balls, will find it faster than any website. Bring this page along and tell them what you've already ruled out; it'll save you both time.