How to Stop Flipping at Impact and Start Compressing the Ball

One of the most common faults we see in golfers of all levels is flipping at impact. You know the move—hands behind the ball, scooping the club, weak contact, and shots that launch high with no spin or power. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: you can fix it, and once you do, your game will change forever.

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What Does It Mean to Compress the Golf Ball?

Compression isn’t about swinging harder—it’s about striking the ball first, then the turf, with a slight downward angle of attack. When you do this, the ball squeezes against the clubface before launching forward. The result? Lower, more penetrating shots with added spin, distance, and control.

The best players in the world all have one thing in common: at impact, their hands lead the clubhead, the shaft leans toward the target, and their arms are extended through the strike. Golfers who flip, on the other hand, do the opposite—they let the clubhead pass their hands too early, losing all that built-in power.

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Why Golfers Struggle with Flipping

Flipping often comes from two key faults:

1. Arms separating at impact – creating “chicken wings” and weak strikes.
2. Shaft leaning away from the target – changing your angle of attack and leading to thin, fat, or inconsistent contact.

Both of these issues rob you of compression, distance, and consistency.

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A Simple Drill to Train Compression

Here’s a straightforward way to feel a better impact position:

1. Set Up in a 90° Hinge
   • Start with your lead arm and club shaft forming a 90-degree angle.
   • Make sure the clubhead sits slightly behind your hands.
2. Work to Impact
   • From this position, swing down while pointing your thumbs toward the ground.
   • Keep your arms straight as you strike the turf just ahead of the ball.
   • Focus on the shaft leaning forward as you make contact.
3. Finish Low & Straight
   • Stop the swing waist-high, with arms and shaft forming one straight line.
   • Expect low, punchy shots at first—this means you’re doing it right.
   • As you improve, add speed and length to the motion.

This drill helps you train forward shaft lean, solid ball-first contact, and that powerful “compressed” strike you see from tour players.

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The Payoff of Proper Compression

When you stop flipping and start compressing, everything changes:

• Distance: More energy transfers into the ball.
• Consistency: Cleaner contact, shot after shot.
• Ball Flight: Penetrating trajectory with controlled spin.
• Confidence: You’ll finally feel what it’s like to hit it pure.

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Ready to take this from a drill to your actual swing?

Book a Swing Evaluation today!