Flipping your hands at the bottom of the golf swing is one of the most frustrating and power-sapping moves in the game. If you're tired of weak, high-flying shots that go nowhere, inconsistent contact, and a gnawing feeling that you aren't hitting the ball with any real authority, you've come to the right place. This guide will help you understand precisely why you flip your hands, and more importantly, give you a clear, actionable plan to replace that scooping motion with a powerful, compressing strike.
Before we fix the problem, let's get on the same page about what it is. A "flip," also known as a "scoop," is an early release of the wrist angles in the downswing. Instead of the clubhead accelerating through the ball with the hands leading, the hands slow down and the clubhead "flips" past them just before or at the moment of impact.
Picture this: a pro at impact. Their hands are slightly ahead of the golf ball, the club shaft is leaning toward the target, and they are compressing the ball against the clubface. This is the desired position.
Now, picture the flip. The golfer's hands are behind or in line with the ball at impact, the shaft is leaning away from the target, and the bottom of the club is literally scooping the ball off the ground. It feels like you’re trying to "help" the ball into the air.
This single move is the source of so many headaches on the golf course:
Here’s the most important concept you need to grasp: flipping is almost never a hand problem. It’s a body problem. Your hands are flipping because your body has put them in a position where they have no other choice.
The golf swing, as we understand it, is a rotational movement powered by the big muscles of your body - your torso and hips. When you get to the top of your swing, your body is meant to unwind, pulling the arms and club down and through impact. The flip happens when this rotational sequence breaks down.
The primary culprit? A stalled body rotation.
When well-intentioned golfers start their downswing, often their hips and chest stop turning toward the target just before they reach the ball. They hit a "wall." But the arms and club are still moving at high speed! With the body stopped, the only way for the club to get to the ball is for the wrists to break down and `em`flip`em> the clubhead at it. Your clever hands are trying to save the shot because your body checked out of the swing too early.
There are a few common reasons golfers stop rotating through the ball:
To stop flipping, you must get your body back in the driver's seat. Your body's rotation should lead the way, and your arms and hands should feel like they are just along for the ride. The goal is to feel like your chest and belt buckle are facing the target at the finish, with your hands only catching up well after the ball is gone.
This will help you achieve the coveted "forward shaft lean" at impact. Forward shaft lean isn’t something you consciously do by pushing your hands forward. It’s the natural outcome of a properly sequenced swing where the body rotates out of the way, pulling the hands and club through the impact zone.
Focus on two key feelings:
Reading about it is one thing, but feeling it is everything. These drills are designed to retrain your movement patterns and replace the feel of the flip with the a sensation of powerful, body-led compression.
This is fantastic for feeling the proper downswing sequence. It teaches you to start the downswing with your lower body, getting your body ahead of the arms.
Flipping is often a result of an overactive trail hand (the right hand for a righty) trying to "throw" the clubhead at the ball. This drill removes that temptation.
An impact bag provides physical feedback and is one of the best tools for curing a flip. If you don't have one, stacking two old couch cushions can work.
This drill helps to reinforce the feel that the arms should not do too much and what the correct arm orientation is during impact.
Remember, putting an end to the flip is not about trying to restrict your hands, it's about learning to use your body as the engine of your golf swing. By focusing on sequence and rotation, you empower your bigger muscles to lead, allowing your hands and arms to simply deliver a powerful and compressed blow to the golf ball.
We know this kind of swing change takes practice and having the right guidance is a game-changer. It's why we built Caddie AI. When you're out at the range struggling with your contact, you can ask for a specific drill to stop flipping and get an instant idea to work on. Or, when you’re out on the course facing a tricky lie that tempts you to scoop, you can snap a photo, and the tool will give you a smart, simple strategy to execute the shot with confidence, helping you replace old, destructive habits with smart, new ones.
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