Topping the fairway wood after a great drive is one of golf’s most frustrating moments — and PGA Golf Coach Claire Batista has a straightforward fix. In this video, she explains exactly why tops happen and shares a simple drill using an alignment stick to help you find a consistently solid strike.
Claire Batista – From the Fairway
Claire Batista breaks down the root cause of topped fairway woods — the tendency to shift weight backwards during the swing in an attempt to lift the ball — and offers a practical solution you can work on at the range. Using a training aid to represent a post beside your left hip, she walks through how to maintain your body’s centre through impact for a cleaner, more descending strike. This video will resonate with anyone who has ever found their confidence knocked by a topped shot at a crucial moment on the course.
Key Takeaways Set up with slightly more weight on your left side:
Position the ball a clubhead’s width left of centre at address and feel a little extra weight in your left hip — without moving your centre ahead of the ball.
Use the post drill to stop lateral sway:
Imagine a post beside your left hip and keep it upright throughout your backswing; this prevents you from shifting away from the ball and creates space for the club to come down correctly.
Keep your centre stacked through impact:
Your belly button and the base of your sternum should stay vertically aligned as you swing through — avoid dropping back or lurching forward to ensure the club bottoms out in the same spot every time.
Head to the range with an alignment stick pushed into the ground just off your left heel and practise keeping it upright on the way back and through — it is a simple but effective way to feel what a stable centre looks like in practice. This video is ideally suited to golfers who regularly top their fairway woods and want a clear, repeatable drill to build more consistent ball-striking.
Golf Coach | Founder, Claire Batista Golf Academy
Claire Batista is a golf coach dedicated to helping players of all levels swing better, think smarter, and shoot lower scores. Her teaching focuses on clear, practical instruction — breaking down technique into drills and practice routines that actually translate to the course.
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