Zoe North: How to Play Hybrid Clubs & Stop Topping Golf Shots

Whether you're looking to replace hard-to-hit long irons or searching for an easy fix to eliminate those frustrating top shots from your game, making clean contact is key to lowering your scores.

In this two-part guide, PGA Professional Zoe North shares how to properly set up and swing your hybrid clubs, followed by three simple checks to stop topping the ball for good.

Part 1: How to Master Your Hybrid Club

A hybrid—also known as a utility or rescue club—is a fantastic option to keep in your bag. If you find yourself struggling with longer irons like a 4, 5, or 6 iron, switching to a hybrid can provide much-needed forgiveness, height, and distance.

Although the clubhead looks slightly different, you should still treat it like a traditional iron. Keep these simple setup fundamentals in mind:

• Stance & Ball Position: Set your feet shoulder-width apart for a full, stable swing. Because the shaft is slightly longer than a standard iron, shift your ball position 1 to 2 ball widths forward of centre to adjust for the lower swing arc.
• Hit Down, Don't Lift: Resist the urge to try to scoop or lift the ball into the air. Hit down into the turf just as you would with a regular iron.
• Brush the Turf: On your practice swings, focus on getting a nice, light brush of the grass and committing your body weight all the way through to your target.

 

Part 2: 3 Simple Checks to Stop Topping Your Shots

Topping the ball is one of the most annoying feelings in golf, especially when changing ground conditions and weather make striking the turf a little trickier. If you're catching the top half of the ball, run through these three quick checks:

1. Check Your Ball Position

• The Issue: When using a mid-iron like a 7-iron, your ball position should sit centrally, in line with your belly button. When golfers start topping shots, the ball has often crept too far forward in the stance.
• The Fix: Move the ball back to the centre of your stance to prevent your weight distribution from shifting backwards at impact.

2. Commit to Your Weight Transfer

• The Issue: Hanging back on your trailing foot prevents clean contact and leads straight to thin or topped shots.
• The Fix: Focus on swinging back and shifting your weight fully through, ensuring your back foot finishes up on the toe. Try holding that balanced position for 3 seconds after every shot.

3. Focus on Ground Interaction

• The Issue: When the ball is too far forward and your weight stays back, your clubhead completely misses the floor.
• The Fix: During your practice swings, focus on hitting the turf and taking a little bit of mud and grass through impact to promote a solid strike.