How to Swing a Golf Club at Topgolf

Standing in a Topgolf bay surrounded by friends, food, and music, you want to do more than just whiff the ball - you want to hit a solid shot and see it fly toward one of those giant glowing targets. You don’t need a Tour-level swing, just a simple, repeatable motion that works. This guide breaks down exactly how to swing a golf club at Topgolf, covering everything from holding the club correctly to striking a triumphant, photo-worthy finishing pose.

The Topgolf Mindset: Fun First, Form Second

Before we touch a club, let's get one thing straight: Topgolf is designed for fun. It’s not the final round of The Masters. The single most destructive thing you can do for your swing is get tense. Gripping the club too tight, trying to smash the ball as hard as you can, and worrying about what others think will lead to shanks, tops, and duffs. Your primary goal is to relax, stay loose, and enjoy the experience. A smooth, easy swing will send the ball much farther and straighter than a jerky, muscle-bound one. Laugh off the bad shots, celebrate the good ones, and remember that everyone is there to have a good time.

Your Pre-Shot Checklist: Getting Set for Success

A good shot starts before you ever begin your swing. Getting your hands on the club correctly and standing to the ball in an athletic way gives you a huge advantage. This pre-shot routine takes just a few seconds and sets the foundation for a consistent motion.

How to Hold the Golf Club (The Grip)

Your grip is the steering wheel for the golf club, it’s your only connection to it. A poor grip will force you to make all sorts of awkward adjustments in your swing to get the clubface pointed at the target. A good grip helps the club return to the right position automatically.

Follow these steps for a solid, neutral grip (for a right-handed golfer):

1. Settle the clubface: Before you even grip it, place the clubhead on the mat behind the ball so the bottom edge (the leading edge) is pointing straight at your target. Most Topgolf clubs have a logo on the grip that should be facing straight up.
2. Place your top hand (left hand): Approach the club from the side. Place the grip so it runs diagonally across your fingers, from the base of your little finger to the middle of your index finger. Close your hand so the palm sits on top of the grip.
3. Your First Checkpoint: Look down. You should be able to see the first two knuckles on your left hand. The "V" formed by your thumb and index finger should point roughly toward your right shoulder. If you see four knuckles, your hand is twisted too much on top (a "strong" grip). If you see none, your hand is too far underneath (a "weak" grip). A two-knuckle view is a great neutral starting point.
4. Add your bottom hand (right hand): Bring your right hand to the club. Let the palm of your right hand snugly cover your left thumb. Much like your left hand, the grip should rest primarily in your fingers.
5. Connect your hands: You have a few options to unify your hands. Most beginners find the Ten-Finger grip (like a baseball bat) the most comfortable. You can also try the Interlock grip, where your right pinky finger hooks between the left index and middle finger. Don’t overthink this - pick whichever feels most secure and comfortable.

Grip Pressure: Don’t choke the club! On a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is gripping as hard as you can, your grip pressure should be a 4 or 5. Think of it like holding a tube of toothpaste - firm enough so it doesn’t fly out of your hands, but not so tight that you squeeze the toothpaste out.

Your Stance, Posture, and Ball Position

Now that you’re holding the club correctly, let's get you into an athletic posture. A good setup promotes balance and puts your body in a position to turn powerfully.

• Stance Width: Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. This provides a stable base for you to turn your body without losing balance. Too narrow, and you'll struggle to generate power, too wide, and you'll restrict your body's ability to rotate.
• The Athletic Tilt: This is where many beginners feel awkward, but it's essential. Instead of bending from your waist or squatting down, stick your rear end out and bend forward from your hips. Keep your back relatively straight, but tilted over the ball. Your chest should be pointing toward the ball, not straight ahead.
• Arm Position: Once you're tilted forward, just let your arms hang naturally down from your shoulders. They should be relaxed, not stiff. Your hands will end up a few inches away from your thighs. If you have to reach way out for the ball, you're standing too far away. If your hands are jammed into your body, you're too close.
• Knee Flex: Lightly flex your knees. You're not sitting in a chair, but your legs aren't locked straight either. Think of the "ready" position in basketball or tennis - you want to look ready for action.
• Ball Position: Keep it simple at Topgolf. For any iron (the clubs you'll use most), position the ball in the center of your stance, right in line with the buttons on your shirt. This gives you the best chance of striking the ball cleanly.

The Swing Itself: A Simple, Repeatable Turn

Now for the main event. Remember, we’re not trying to create a picture-perfect swing. We're focused on one thought: turning your body away from the target, and then turning your body through to the target. It's a rotation, not an up-and-down chopping motion.

The Backswing: A Smooth Turn Away

The goal of the backswing is to smoothly coil your body to store energy. A rushed backswing is one of the most common mistakes that leads to bad shots.

1. The First Move (Takeaway): Start the swing by turning your chest, shoulders, and arms away from the ball as one single unit. Imagine a triangle formed by your arms and shoulders - you want to maintain that triangle as you turn back. The thought "turn my chest away from the target" is perfect here.
2. Wrist Hinge: As your hands reach about waist-high, allow your wrists to naturally hinge upwards. This sets the club on the right path and creates leverage. Don't actively try to force the hinge, let it be a byproduct of your turning motion.
3. Top of the Swing: Continue turning your chest and shoulders until your back is facing the target (or as far as your flexibility allows). Your left arm should be fairly straight (but not rigidly stiff), and the club should feel supported at the top. You are now coiled and ready to release that stored energy.

The Downswing & Impact: Unwinding to the Ball

The downswing happens very fast, so you don’t have time for a lot of thoughts. The secret is to let your lower body lead the way.

1. The First Move Down: Start the downswing with your lower body. Think about bumping your front hip (your left hip for righties) slightly toward the target. This shifts your weight forward and drops the club into the perfect slot to attack the ball from the inside. It stops you from "coming over the top," which causes that nasty slice.
2. Let It Unwind: From here, simply keep turning your body toward the target. Your arms and the club will naturally follow. You don't need to try and "hit" the ball with your hands and arms. The speed comes from your body unwinding. You've coiled up your energy in the backswing, now you're just releasing it through the ball.
3. The Moment of Truth (Impact): Your one goal at impact is to strike the ball first. The Topgolf mats are very forgiving, so you can get away with hitting a little behind the ball (a "fat" shot), but you want a feeling of the clubhead sweeping the ball off the mat in a downward and forward motion. Keep your head relatively still through impact, with your eyes focused on the back of the ball.

The Grand Finale: A Balanced Follow-Through

How you finish your swing says a lot about what came before it. A balanced, posed finish is a sign of a good swing sequence. It’s also what will make you look like you know what you’re doing on your friend's Instagram story.

• Turn Through to the Target: Don't stop turning your body at the ball. Continue rotating your hips and chest until they are fully facing the target. Your belt buckle should be pointing directly at the glowing circle you were aiming for.
• Weight on Your Front Foot: As a result of this full turn, almost all of your weight (about 90%) should be on your front (left) foot. Your back (right) foot should have come up onto its toe, with the heel pointing to the sky.
• Hold the Pose: As the club swings around your body, let it come to rest comfortably over your shoulder. Now, hold that finished position for a couple of seconds and watch the ball fly. This not only proves you were in balance but also reinforces body rotation instead of a wild, off-balance swipe.

Final Thoughts

Mastering a golf swing takes time, but hitting great shots at Topgolf doesn't have to be complicated. By focusing on a relaxed mindset, a solid pre-shot setup, and a simple body turn back and through, you have everything you need to hit the ball consistently. Use the simple checkpoints: a neutral grip, an athletic stance, a smooth turn, and a balanced finish, and you’ll impress your friends and maybe even win the game.

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