The Many Causes of Flipping

"Flipping" in the golf swing — when the clubhead overtakes the hands before impact — is one of the most common and misunderstood faults in amateur golf. It leads to thin shots, fat shots, high spin weak shots, and an overall lack of control. And it doesn’t go away just by "keeping the hands ahead."

This article breaks down the root causes of flipping, not just the symptoms, and lays out clear ways to retrain impact using sports performance principles.

What is Flipping?

Flipping is the premature unhinging of the wrists or breakdown of lead wrist structure just before or at impact. The clubhead "flips" past the hands, often adding loft and losing compression.

It results in:

• Poor low-point control

• Added dynamic loft and spin

• Loss of power and distance

• Erratic ball flight

It’s not always a wrist problem. In fact, most flipping is a whole-body sequencing issue.

Common Causes of Flipping

1. Poor Kinematic Sequence

If the arms and club are moving faster than the rotating trunk, the hands will have no choice but to flip to catch up. This disrupts the timing and energy transfer up the chain (Cheetham et al., 2008).

2. Trail Arm Behind the Body

A trail arm stuck behind the torso at the start of the downswing puts the player in a race to catch up. This often leads to a late throw or flip through impact.

3. Early Extension / Losing Spine Angle

Standing up through impact changes the relationship between the club and the ball. The hands often flip to adjust.

4. Poor Pressure Shift

Staying on the back foot or failing to transfer pressure to the lead leg in transition prevents proper pivot and rotation — resulting in a hand-dominated release.

5. Lack of Lead Wrist Flexion

Players who maintain too much extension (cupping) of the lead wrist are likely to flip to square the face instead of bowing or flattening through impact.

6. Overactive Trail Hand

Players who dominate the downswing with the trail hand tend to extend and supinate through impact, leading to a flip.

7. Weak or Inactive Core Rotation

If the hips and trunk stall, the body stops providing forward movement and the hands take over. As Dr. Sasho MacKenzie notes, hands will compensate for lack of body-driven rotation unless sequencing is correct.

How to Fix Flipping at the Root

✅ Fix the Sequence

• Learn proper kinematic chain: hips → torso → arms → club

• Slow-motion rehearsals focusing on lead hip bump and upper body staying back

✅ Strengthen Lead Wrist Control

• Hit foam balls or impact bags with the lead wrist bowed and the shaft leaning forward

• Practice flat or flexed wrist feels in transition

✅ Improve Trail Arm Positioning

• Rehearse trail elbow slotting in front of the ribcage, not stuck behind

• Practice "right hand under left" delivery positions with split-hand drills

✅ Keep Rotation Going Through Impact

• Train rotational drills (step-through swings, banded hip turns) to keep the body from stalling

✅ Pressure Shift and Footwork

• Step drills and lead-foot pressure drills to ensure weight is forward before the club gets to impact

Drills to Rewire the Motion

1. Impact Bag Drill with Shaft Lean

2. Pump Drill with Pause at Delivery

3. Trail Arm in Front Drill (Split Hands)

4. Lead Hand Only Swings

5. Step-Through Drill for Rotation and Pressure

6. Slow Motion Sequence Drill (Hips first, arms passive)

What the Research Says

• Cheetham, A. et al. (2008) found that elite golfers all follow a precise kinematic sequence that allows the club to shallow and square with the body, not the hands.

• Dr. Phil Cheetham and Dr. Sasho MacKenzie have noted that body-driven releases produce more consistent face control and less variability.

• Proper wrist flexion and impact alignments have been shown to significantly influence launch and spin characteristics (TrackMan University).

Final Word

Flipping is rarely fixed by thinking about hands. It’s fixed by training the body to move in the right order, trusting rotation, and stabilizing the lead side. Focus on sequencing, rotation, and pressure. Hands will follow.

If flipping is a recurring issue, stop managing symptoms. Go after the source.

Want help training the movement patterns that fix it for good?

At ATX Golf Performance, we specialize in coaching movement—not just mechanics. Our programs combine pressure-tested drills, feedback-driven reps, and sports science-backed strategies to help players build sequencing, rotation, and control that holds up under pressure.

We help you:

• Rewire your release patterns with functional drills

• Integrate body-led sequencing into your swing

• Build strength and mobility where it counts

If you’re ready to stop flipping and start compressing the ball like a player, come train with us.