Stop Flipping at Impact: 3 Easy Swing Fixes for Better Golf Shots

Hey there, fellow golfer! If you’re just getting into the swing of things (pun intended), you might be making a classic mistake: trying to lift the ball into the sky with your hands. A lot of new players do this—they flip their wrists during impact, thinking it’ll launch the ball high and far. But here’s the kicker: while your buddies are hitting phenomenal shots that soar and land softly, you’re left scratching your head, wondering why you’re not getting the same results. Let’s dive right into the reasons behind this common issue and how you can fix it!

Understanding the Impact

First off, let’s get on the same page about what proper impact looks and feels like. If you have a solid handle on this, you can really elevate your game. Imagine hitting the ball with a nice descending blow—it means you’re not just tapping it for lift; you’re compressing it for distance and control. A bit of dedicated practice on these principles can lead to a serious distance boost and an impressive ball flight.

When Flipping Hurts Your Game

Flipping Costs You Distance and Control

Picture this: you’re about to strike the ball, and instead of focusing on solid contact, you’re flipping your wrists. This early release creates a weak, ascending strike that totally robs you of power. Instead of compressing the ball, you’re just trying to lift it into the air, which means your shots will lack the oomph you’re aiming for.

You might feel like trying to help the ball up is the way to go, but let me tell you—that’s not it! When you actively lift with your hands, you lose that critical descending strike needed for crisp iron hits. You want to hit down and through, not flick it up!

Also, think about the inconsistency. If your wrist flip isn’t even all that bad, the timing can be all over the place. One shot may explode off the clubface, while the next feels like a total dud. When the timing of your hand action varies so much, your results will do the same, leaving you frustrated on the course.

And don’t even get me started on the fear of hitting down on the ball. A lot of golfers tense up, thinking a big divot is a disaster, prompting a desperate wrist flip to dodge the ground. That instinct can totally mess up your impact and lead to more weak strikes.

Solution #1: Nail the Setup

Alright, onto the good stuff! Want to stop flipping? You gotta get your setup right. Your address position really does set the stage for your impact, so let’s make it count!

Weight Distribution: Start with around 60% of your weight on your lead foot when using your irons. This forward lean allows you to stay over the ball through impact—no more hanging back and flipping happening here!

Hand Position: Aim to have your hands a smidge ahead of the ball at address. You should be creating a straight line from your lead shoulder to the clubhead, so you can return to that sweet spot at impact.

Ball Position: For mid-irons, place the ball just ahead of center in your stance. Too far forward, and you’ll be reaching, resulting in a flip. Too far back, and you could lose compression. It’s all about that sweet spot!

Spine Angle: Keep your posture intact with a slight tilt away from your target. This keeps you swinging down and through rather than upwards, which is key to avoiding that dreaded flip.

Solution #2: Work on Your Downswing Sequence

Now that your setup is looking solid, let’s talk about how to transition from your backswing to your downswing without flipping.

Lead with Your Lower Body: Kicking off your downswing with a slight hip bump toward the target keeps you over the ball and prevents falling back. It’s all about staying balanced!

Maintain the Angle: As you swing, try to keep that angle between your lead arm and club shaft for as long as you can. This lag is key for making that ideal descending blow.

Quiet Hands: Let your body’s rotation do the job—keep those hands passive. You don’t want to over-manipulate the clubhead; let your body’s natural movement create the power.

Impact Position: Nail it! At impact, your hands should definitely be ahead of the ball, with the shaft leaning toward the target. Your weight should be solidly on your lead side and your hips should be open.

Solution #3: Perfect Your Follow-Through

Most golfers get so caught up in the moment of impact that they forget about the follow-through’s importance. A solid follow-through not only looks good, but it also reinforces good ball striking.

Extend Your Arms: After you make contact, extend those arms down your target line before they fold. If you’re flipping, your arms will collapse instantly, costing you all that power and accuracy.

Face Your Target: Make sure your chest rotates through to face the target on your follow-through. If you stall your body rotation before impact, flipping becomes a real risk.

Balanced Finish: You should be able to hold your finish without wobbling. If you struggle to maintain your balance, you might have some serious issues with your impact.

Divot Pattern: Here’s a big telltale sign of good impact: your divots should start at the ball and extend forward. If you’re flipping, you might hit behind the ball or not take a divot at all, proving you’re striking up.

What Actually Creates Effortless Compression

A common myth is that you have to hit down harder to get compression. In reality, that mindset does the opposite of what you want. When you sequence your swing correctly, it allows the club to compress the ball effortlessly—without any added stress or flipping.

When you lead with your lower body and keep your hands passive, you’ll notice that lag and forward shaft lean producing that crisp contact you’ve been dreaming of.

Start with Impact Position Drills

Don’t jump into full-speed swings just yet. Begin with slow-motion swings, focusing solely on hitting that perfect impact position with your hands ahead and your shaft leaning forward.

Feel free to practice hitting balls with a shortened backswing. Concentrate on maintaining that lag and avoiding any wrist flips through the hitting zone. Get comfortable with how crisp it feels when you compress the ball against the clubface.

The Ball-Striking Improvement You Can Expect

Once you achieve that ideal impact position, say goodbye to the lost distance with your irons. You’ll also witness a massive improvement in trajectory control! Your shots will not only fly higher but will come down softer, thus giving you much better control out on the greens.

Nailing that correct impact position means you’ll never feel the urge to help the ball into the air again. Instead, you’ll enjoy a penetrating ball flight that distinguishes good players from the great ones. Your approach shots will become predictable, and scoring will feel like a breeze.

Remember, it’s the loft of your club that gets the ball airborne. Your goal is to compress it with a descending blow. Once you kick the flipping habit and learn how to compress, you’ll look back and wonder why you ever thought you needed to help the ball up in the first place.

Now get out there and crush those shots! Happy golfing!