Flipping Mind Game

[KenStone]

I don't have it licked yet, but I have video after video of me swinging the club without a ball and I don't flip. It looks great. Lag, flying wedge, the works.

But as soon as I put a ball in front of me -- boom, flip. So I thought I'd put something else instead of the ball. Something soft and "unthreatening".... flip. Take the thing away, no flip.

2 practice swings, no flip. Put something there, flip.

???

[Tomboys]

You've learned a swing that has a flip when hitting a ball. Now, you have to learn a swing without a flip when hitting a ball. I'm in the same boat you're in (got the dreaded flip too, but, working on re-training my brain with my instructor). IMO, don't waste your time filming practice swings, they don't matter because they tend provide nothing more than a false sense of security and often times, they just create more frustration because you're comparing apples (your practice swing) to oranges (your swing when you hit a ball). Save yourself the grief and just record the only swing that matters; the one that is used while hitting a ball.

Film yourself hitting chips to ensure that you're maintaining the flying wedge throughout your swing. From there, work up to partial swings and, eventually, full swings. If you haven't already done so, I would strongly suggest that you read the thread on sliding your hips as well since you should be proficient at both to maximize your ballstriking ability.

[upah]

Practice swing mentality: swing the club. Actual swing mentality: hit the ball. Try making "practice" swings (with a ball) focusing on the swing, not the contact.

[KaiL]

Its a mind game all right!

I have a conjecture after working on this for quite some time.... It has to do with our mind association of the club head in relation with the golf ball. When the ball is not there, our mind will pay attention to the hand and shaft relationship and maintain it through out the swing. As soon as the ball is there, our mind start to associate the club head with the ball and when we swing, we will try to get the club head to the ball and stalled the hand at impact causing the flip.

This has work for me to train my brain and it may help you too: ... During your down swing, try to move your attention to your hands and swing your hands pass the ball while maintaining your wrist cock. A little chipping drill will help you to get the feel.... Set up as usual, cock your wrist before you start your backswing, while maintaining the wrist cock swing your hands forward pass the ball. During the whole swing, make sure your mind,s attention is on swinging your hands pass the ball and not on thinking about the club head. You will be surprised how well you can hit the ball.