GOLF: How To Keep Your Head Down In The Golf Swing (And Why You're Really Hitting Topped Shots)
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
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Let’s talk about this idea of picking your head up in the golf swing. Over the past decade of teaching golf, certainly the most common thing I hear when someone hits a bad shot is, “I picked my head up” or “I lifted my head up” or something along those lines. What I'm really here to tell you in this video is that there's probably not a lot of truth behind that.
If I take a normal golf setup, my arms are somewhat straight - maybe 80 percent, 75 percent straight -and my inclination to the ground or how I'm standing puts the golf club on the ground even with the ball. Then in swing, if I bend my arms more than they are at address, that club would go up in the air and up in the air or farther from the ground is going to lead to no contact or thin contact. Now, what would be the solution there?
My arms are bent, so what do I do? I straighten my arms. Now all of a sudden the club goes down towards the ground. If wanted to give myself the best odds to hit the golf ball, I'd have the straightest arms. At and in particular past impact If you had your arms the straightest, that would give you the best chance of solidness of contact.
The second part is where your body is in space. The more your body is to the right of the golf ball for a right-handed golfer or behind the ball, the odds of me hitting a thin shot or bad shot increase. That means if I set up way right, the odds of me hitting a thin shot increase.
I would want the opposite of those things. I don't want my arms bent. I want my arms straight. Hit a shot, hold your finish and ask yourself, “are my arms straight,” yes or no? It’s that simple. You don't necessarily need a drill for that.
If you are hitting top shots or bad contact and you notice you start really far right on your right foot, you must fix that. Where do we want it? Probably 50/50. If you hit top shots and you notice you go really far to the right off the ball in your right foot, you must fix that. Stay 50/ 50 and stay over the ball going back. If you notice during the downswing, you're weight is really far back on your trail foot - your right foot -and you hit top shots, you must fix that. Go from your right foot to your left.
Now imagine I’m trying to keep my head down and I make a swing. What would my swing look like if I exaggerated keeping my eye on the ball or keeping my head down? I'd be very bent forward and facing the golf ball and I would probably maintain that the entire swing. If I keep that going back, I wouldn't turn at all. If I keep that coming through, I wouldn't turn at all. How do my arms look when I do that? Very straight and good like a pro or very bent and someone who top shots? Well I'll answer that. It looks like someone who tops shots.
Keeping your head down is not a permanent fix. What is a permanent fix? Watch your weight structure. Keep your arms straight, and let yourself turn towards the target as you shift into your left side.
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![Golf Drills To Keep Your Head Down [DO THIS NOW!]](/img/1.gif)
Mate this video has literally saved my golfing life. I've had a problem topping for about 2 months. I entirely blamed head lifting and was ready to give up. I watched this and then your other straight arm video, and had a practice. Today, I shot 78 and didn't top a single ball. THANK YOU ❤
LOVE to hear this Antony! Great playing!!
For many years I have devoured the knowledge of many, many coaches. That changes today, Eric Cogorno is now my number 1 and only. and when I play badly, I know who to blame (joke)! Seriously, great instruction every time, thank you.
Lol I'll accept that responsibility :)
Eric has become by far my favorite online golf instructor. He explains things succinctly and I really have been helped by his videos. I wish I lived in Pa.
Thanks, Mike!
Just found you and your videos and it sucks that I just moved out Bethlehem after 7 years. Past 10 years I haven't been playing much (
Hope the videos help, Jimmy!
Would love to meet you in person!
If you every want any guidance join me at www.cogornogolf.com where you can send me your swings and get you hitting it more solid :)
Just out today and thought I wasn’t keeping my head down. Well, now I know that isn’t the case. I will definitely work on arms being straight and body rotation. It does make more sense and thank you for explaining it so well.
Our pleasure Kim! Hope it helps!
Impressive. Simple. Straightforward. Convincing
Thank you!
I watched this video about four weeks ago. I went to the range and simply tried to keep my arms straight through the back and forward swing. I was hitting the ball much better. I hadn’t broken 80 in two years. I’ve now broken 80 five times in the last 3 weeks. I am not a shill.
Good stuff!
You’re breaking 80 without knowing you have to keep your arms straight? 🤣
Genius. So simply explained. This and the bit on side flexion with extension is hopefully my fix. Thank you
You got it my friend!
You seem to have the knack of being able to explain things in a very simple and clear way. Another great video. Thanks.
Appreciate that!
Thank you. Needed this to change my game.
Our pleasure, JD!
Maaaan that impersonation of the bad golfer at the end….I think that’s me. Saying head down head down head down. Thanks a ton
:)
You're instructional video's are the best... Love your straight to the point no B.S. attitude.... Thank you...
Appreciate it!
I have to share this video with everyone I ever played with. Drives me crazy.
Lol me too
Me, too. Man! That really needed saying and Eric is my new hero (for now) for saying it!
Thank you. This is the best channel.
Appreciate ya!
I completely agree with-realized that after years of fooling myself-and realized that the eyes must always be on the ball-and helps a lot if we can watch the divot-your thoughts
Harinder
I think on the object we are trying to hit is better than elsewhere...but shouldn't stay down forever
totally agree... i hit too many top shots, and the comments i get is always, i lifted my head up. And as you said, I keep sinking my head and yet still topping! good advice on 50-50 leg stand and arm straightened. i think this would be the remedy i am looking for instead of fixating my head to be positioned at one spot.
Hope you get it sorted out my friend!
Eric Cogorno Golf I couldn’t believe my eyes! I hit my first 200 with a driver. Furthermore is twice 200 on 2 Par 4! Thanks Eric
Without a doubt you have the best videos on Golf… Keep up the good work!
Appreciate it! Will do.
I like your reasoning for the mistakes and the instructions to fix them
Thank you sir
Eric, I like the way and plain language how you explain the techniques, mechanics or each part of the game. Nicely done. Since im watching your videos, my golf game is changing and Im going towards the right direction... The hardest part is to get rid of the old wrong habits, like the head down and still hitting topped shots. Thank you much :)
Happy to help! Keep working at it!
Simple, effective, has helped me a lot
Love to hear that Shane!
OK... I will change my focus this time around in training... Thank you... Makes sense... One less thing to worry about.
Hope it helps!
Thank you. I loved your video and education. I liked and subscribed. My driver and irons have been inconsistent but have improved. Looking to be more consistent. Thank you. I'll definitely continue to listen and follow. I appreciate it.
Appreciate the support Chris!
This is me..all the time....So when I am on the course in two days time and will drop the "need to keep my head down" thought and go with your advice. If it works you are on my Christmas card list 😂
:)
@CogornoGolf love it, love it, love it. Stress free round. No focus on keeping head down, didn't get worked up when I played a bad shot, actually weren't that many, really enjoyed the round. Back out tomorrow for more of the same.
Many thanks......and Merry Christmas.
Fantastic tips, thank you.
Thank you!!
Top class, son. This is what we need.
Thanks, Roger!
Excellent lesson
Appreciate it Lee! Thank you!
Sounds like a logical explanation. I’ll have to try it.
Hope it helps!
I fought this even though I knew I hit the ball better when I David Duval it, until I heard a quote relating to Hogan admitting he never actually saw his club face hit the ball.
Its obvious when you explain but this is the first video I've seen showing this. Great tips Eric
Thank you sir!
Thanks Eric for this great tip! I have a tendency to hitting behind golf ball due to my weight back and arms not straight down at impact, more of a flip and not turning my body enough. Will give this tip a try! Thanks !
Happy to help!
You seem passionate about this.
Yes :)
Great video Eric keep them coming impressive to see your common sense explanations really helps us
cheers
Thank you sir!
The government should make this video into a PSA and BROADCAST it worldwide - every hour - for a year! Thank you!
Lol not a bad idea!
Glad I stumbled across this video! Explained in simple terms and relevant to most higher handicappers (like me). Cheers.
Happy to help!
Great instructor. Great information.
Thanks!
Keeping your head down is old school chat , just means maintain spine angle , try to lift your head up without it , that is all
Excellent exercise well done
Thanks, Ann!
Thx for the tip, coach. It makes perfect sense.
Our pleasure!
Fella I used to play with had a really bad bend in his left arm at the top of the swing. However, on the way down it straightened and he hit his irons really well with good compression. I'm similar with the bend at the top but not able to straighten on the way down hence my habit of hitting slightly thin. If I could keep the arm straighter I would but for now my only hope of decent connection is an exaggerated head down swing
Hope you get it sorted out my friend!
Really enjoy your video is so details and easy to understand. Just want to say thanks!
Thanks, appreciate it!
Excellent video. Thanks
Thanks, Joe!
Well done! Your videos are always a cut above the rest. Not easy to communicate this well in such a short period of time. Keep it up!
Thanks Robert, appreciate the kind words!
I was told the idea that you should maintain eyesight at all time on the ball before impact, but head can move. I'll try not looking at the ball at all next time and focus on my posture, allowing upper body to rotate freely. I fixed top shots by pushing the club hard into the ground before the up swing, I have no problem with driver and wedges.
Great!
Good advice
Thanks, Philip!
Your Vlogs are simply excellent, thanks Fraser Beach han 6 from the UK
Thanks!
Great video..... very easy to follow and understand!!!!
Thanks!
Thanks, Eric! I can’t wait to give this a try!!!
Hope it helps, Alison!
Well said... 👍
Thanks Lenard!
Yes , I could not agree more . It's cause and effect. Beg Hogan I believe quoted that he never saw the club strike the ball and was he not
one of the best ball strikers !!!
Yup...Ball should be in your field of vision but not necessarily focusing on it.
Great analysis and explanation! Thanks.
Appreciate it
Kudos on the clickbait title..😉
I've actually changed my mind on lifting my head. Thanks for that. Looking forward to my next driving range session.
:) Hope it serves you well Martin! Thanks for watching!
On the BACKSWING it's best to keep your head down rather than lifting it up. A device (like the "Level head golf necktie") has helped me keep a stable spine angle going back.
For some...a slight upward motion doesn't bother me.
Thanks Eric, I do this a lot (topping) and I now think it may be due to arm structure, I will try it out next time.
Good luck! It's not from lifting your head up :)
I know but every time, without fail, someone says "oh you took your eye off it..."
Thank you
You got it!
Great. Thank you very much. Greetings from Austria.
My pleasure
"how could you not fix a problem in 10 years" lol
:)
Eric, while I do top the ball sometimes, probably due to the reasons you described here, I seem to hit more fat shots then topped shots. Do you have a video on that problem? Thanks.
Not sure we do specifically, will put it on the list. Def shot a lot of videos for that on membership site, but will see if we can do on here
I'm having issues with the force of my swing pulling me off the ball. I hope that doesn't sound stupid. I had a swing of 98 lb weakling last year. I kind of think I'm on the right track except that it feels like the superior power is pulling me off balance somehow. Stack and tilt seems to work but.... honest to God I'm an old school swinger. when my timing is off I try to correct it with a smoother swing with a little wrist snap. BTW... moving your elbows closer together during the forward swing really produces swing speed. thanks for any help you can offer.
Hope you get it sorted out, Michael! I would really need to see your swing on video to offer any specific advice or else I would be guessing too much. Join www.cogornogolf.com so you can send me your swing videos and I can help!
@@CogornoGolf I'm sure if I look through your videos I'll find something . I suspect there's something fairly small throwing me off once in a while. thanks for your response. I enjoy your videos. thanks :)
For a long time I thought that when I topped the ball it was because I lifted my head. It’s only fairly recently that I discovered that I wasn’t actually topping the ball at all. I was hitting towards the heal. Almost a shank! Same result though, low, short and very bad feel. A few months ago I started recording my swing at the range and discovered this. So now I can fix the actual fault properly!!
Great videos!!
Smart man!
It feels like your head moves but it's the body the jerks up before you make contact.
I think the problem is, the people I play golf with and probably yours as well see you hit a topped shot and say you are raising your head because that's just what they think causes topped shots. They did not see you raise your head but because you topped the ball they say you raised your head . This I know for a fact happens to me a lot, not that I top the ball so much but just when I do my friends always say you raised your head because they think the only reason you or their selves ever top the ball is because you raise your head. Thanks for the info that there are more reasons that you top a ball besides raising your head.
Thats exactly right!
Great advice as alway Eric good job
Appreciate it!
YES! THANK YOU!
My pleasure
This is brilliant. Exactly what I've been doing wrong for years I think. Excited to try and practice with this new info. Thankyou. Very informative and helpful..
Thanks, Patrick! Hope it helps!
When I think keeping the head down I relate it to staying in posture. Isn't bringing your head up early kind of another way of saying coming out of posture? Which I know can be an issue
Hey Robert!
The goal is to maintain inclination to ground.....so HEAD can stay down but EYES shouldn't. But it really stays down from side bend/rotation (not keeping chest pointed at ball)
More full details on this here:
ruclips.net/video/qa9h9H1e2-8/видео.html&pp=ygUgRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIGtlZXAgeW91ciBoZWFkIGRvd24%3D
ruclips.net/video/NmT19TcjEvs/видео.html&pp=ygUfRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIGp1c3QgZG8gdGhpcyBwcm9zIA%3D%3D
The reason to "keep your head down" is to maintain your posture in the swing. It isn't meant for you to freeze like a rock and not move. If your head is swaying back and forth, then it's way more difficult to get back to the ball and hit it square. You must have a solid and stable foundation before you can correct all the other pieces of your swing. JM2C
BeachBow m
Is there a difference between picking your head up and not look looking at the ball. I feel your head moves around a bit during the swing but you can still look at the ball with peripheral vision. Maybe picking your head up just means you were not looking at the ball. Like in a putt GaryPlayer says keep your eyes down after you hit otherwhise you are not hitting it flush. Same concept with irons if you understand you head is flexible and does move. ?
Every time a golfer hears "you lifted your head"...he should hear "you lost your side bend right thru impact"
Yes thats a big part of it
What about early extension? Could that be one of the faults that feel like lifting the head? When I lose my posture it might be perceived as lifting my head, even though I've actually straightened out of my posture.
Is that the same as casting the club head? Although some people have very good hand eye coordination that they can cast it with great accuracy and success. For most this results in either fat or thin shot, depending on how they cast the club.
Jay-That would be changing your inclination to the ground...meaning not just your head but your entire torso got farther from the ground. I hear where you're coming from, but way different than the normal "picked my head up" i hear.
This is something I struggle with and it resulted in a number of issues. It felt as if I was lifting my head, but the reality was I "extended" up and then turned well before I ever saw the strike. It was treacherous for a bit. I found that for me, I needed to try and see the club strike the ball. Not so much of keeping the head down but rather letting my body work while seeing the strike and then releasing out and through. This "feel" of seeing the strike changed everything "for me" almost immediately. Each person is different in the "feels" they experience and Eric always stresses the "feels".
i do the drills fine without a ball but when I introduce the ball i have trouble hitting hitting thin and fat. Cant seem to get my focus past the ball. Any thoughts?
Yes...stop doing it without the ball and learn to do it with the ball. Use video to record and see what's going on. Work with a coach to find the 1-2 priorities and exaggerate until you get them
Hi you say that it is a lie about the head lift but I feel myself doing it I hit a beautiful tee shot walk up to the second set up take the shot and I feel my head lift and I duff the shot then I hit a great shot
The head lift is very real you look up to see where the ball is going to go before you actually hit the ball
Hey Michael....hope this helps
ruclips.net/video/qa9h9H1e2-8/видео.html
I tend to see alot of people playing the wrong length of club. And the shifting. A lot of it comes from watching beginner videos about lifting the lead heel to get more rotation more power etc. watch pros hit irons or wedges. Majority their feet stay planted. You can get by with it with driver at times. I really think if you’re starting out first thing you should learn is a punch shot. If you’re taking a full cut with a 7 iron or lower that’s already first problem. But the lifting of the heel starts the whole process of just starting off playing terrible golf.
👊👊
Appreciate you watching my friend!
awesome
Thanks!
U made this long time ago! But yes, my friends say you move your head. And im like fine. But when i watch videos of my sving on bad shots. Its combined with chicken wing arm. So now my one thought is. Arms fully out and the followthrouh
That's a great follow through feel/thought!
Here's a video you may enjoy on the follow through...
ruclips.net/video/wN3zdLoEihU/видео.html
Let us know if it helps!
Standing up or not completing your turn
I have an issue with maintaining my spine angle thru the shot
Hey there!
You may enjoy this video!
ruclips.net/video/ngke5xPA1NE/видео.html
Hallelujah!
I suddenly developed a terrible pull to the left on my driver recently, the ball literally goes dead left so it is a top plus a pull. Doesn't happen with any other club and it doesn't happen on every driver. It is beyond frustrating. May be related to what you point out here.
Hey Noel!
Hope you get it sorted my friend....really too many variables involved for me to pin point something without seeing your swing on video...
If you dont get it fixed check out www.cogornogolf.com so I can see your swing I will be able to easily identify what it is and help you fix!!
@@CogornoGolf Eric - thank you for your kind reply - I managed to get out the the course today. I tied your approach above and it seems to have fixed it. Can't believe it could be something so straightforward - thank you for this video. I am sure I will run into something else and will send you the video if/when that happens. Thank you again and have a great Easter.
I topped the golf balls more often with a fairway 3 metal wood, how can I fix that problem?
Would have to see your swing to say for sure what you specifically would need to do
THIS!!!!!!
Yessir!
I always tilt my head and my hair moves and that leads to an over swing and I need to keep my head still so I can’t overswing
More on head still: ruclips.net/video/TMMCQz3nlmw/видео.html
It’s not that they lift their head up, but they take their eye off the ball before impact. They just aren’t articulating it property
I’ve smacked at least 26 people at the range so far.....
Lol atta boy
We have all hit at least one person by accident with a ball 😬😂
So I actually do have a bad habbit of actually picking my head up and actually need to know how to stop that. Im a 10 handicap
Hey Jessie! Find a good coach to work with!
I lift my head at the top of the backswing.
Keep it down
Tomas Ranta more pressure below your feet, rotate your shoulders rather than your back arm
I've been topping my 4 iron and 3 wood. How does one practice straightening the arms while also keeping a bent right elbow to create compression/lag at impact? Thanks!
I would have to see your swing to say why you're topping....may or may not have anything to do with this but...
Right arm bent at impact (IF YOUR BODY ORIENTATIONS support that.....(you're bent over enough)) left arm more straight then both arms straight by parallel to ground in follow through
@@CogornoGolf Thanks! I'll play around with it. Some days I hit great shots with the long irons and woods and some days just ground balls.
The golf fix swing analyzer app disagrees lol. Says my head is up at impact
:)
Thanks for watching, Robert!
Watch the club head hit the ball.......
:)
But early extension is a thing ...
Disagree... a stable head makes a huge difference in consistent striking. And also stops early extension
Thanks for your feedback,. John!
"stable" head and keeping head DOWN are WAAAAAYYY different things.
How can I not keep my head after 10 yeas? Try 40 years.
:)
Im sorry, but I have felt myself lift up from time to time.....it happens.
Hey John!
Yep---just needs to happen AFTER impact. Making sure you have right shoulder down and are turning when it happens
ruclips.net/video/wN3zdLoEihU/видео.html
I really am one of the few that dont agree. Rotation yes, Extending the arms yes, but "most" pros are looking at the ball and see it hit through impact. Most of us amateurs dont maintain posture (early extension) which is main reason I see most topping shots. Tell the person to lift the head and look up to see where the ball is going is the kiss of death. It seems like your saying staying in posture and rotating are mutually exclusive
Thanks for the feedback, Stephen!
Perhaps I explain things better in these on this topic:
ruclips.net/video/qa9h9H1e2-8/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/TMMCQz3nlmw/видео.html
@@CogornoGolf Thank you for sharing. Yes I love these two videos. Spot right on. The head down verbiage, in my mind, inartfully means maintain your posture and spine angle. The problem is us amateurs say things without understanding them and make it worse for our playing partners and friends! I have learned a lot from you. You do amazing work - stay safe and stay blessed!
This was the most condescending golf video I’ve ever seen! His message may be correct but there are better ways than say it. Won’t be watching anymore videos of this dude!
Thanks for the feedback, Michele! Sorry to hear that, my apologies.
This is only if you too your drive....
this has nothing to do with lifting your head... the title of your video doesn’t go with what you’re explaining
The point is that you don't hit bad shots because you lifted your head. I think we got the point across.
I don’t care what anyone says when I lift my head more times than not I hit a bad shot. And keeping your head down will NEVER cause a bad shot ever. It might be something else but it won’t be because you stayed over the ball with your eye on it. PERIOD!!!
Hey Robert! Thanks for watching and the feedback!
Is this same for drivers?
Yup, all clubs
Thank you
You got it!