The 5 Major Breakthroughs That Finally Fixed Charles Barkley's Infamous Golf Swing (2025 Update)

As of December 12, 2025, the golf world continues to track the incredible, years-long saga of Charles Barkley’s golf swing. For decades, the NBA Hall of Famer’s idiosyncratic, multi-pump "hitch" was one of the most famous—and arguably most painful—sights in celebrity golf. It was a swing that launched a thousand memes and became synonymous with the mental block known as the "yips."

However, the narrative has dramatically changed. Thanks to a dedicated effort and the intervention of a world-class coach, "Sir Charles" has achieved a genuine breakthrough. His improved action is not just a marginal gain; it has allowed him to compete respectably in high-profile events like the American Century Championship (ACC), proving that even the most stubborn golf struggles can be conquered. This is the definitive, updated analysis of the Charles Barkley golf swing transformation.

Charles Barkley: A Legendary Profile

Before diving into the mechanics of his golf struggles and subsequent triumph, it's essential to recognize the man behind the swing. Charles Wade Barkley is one of the most dominant and charismatic figures in sports history.

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• Full Name: Charles Wade Barkley
• Born: February 20, 1963, in Leeds, Alabama
• Nicknames: "Sir Charles," "Chuck," "The Round Mound of Rebound"
• College: Auburn University
• NBA Career: 16 seasons (1984–2000) with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets.
• Career Highlights: 11-time NBA All-Star, 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), 5-time All-NBA First Team, Olympic Gold Medalist (1992 Dream Team and 1996), and a member of the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
• NBA Records: One of only four players in NBA history to record more than 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists.
• Current Role: Highly popular and outspoken television analyst for TNT Sports' Inside the NBA and a commentator for CBS Sports' college basketball coverage.

The Anatomy of the Infamous "Hitch" and the Yips

For years, the Charles Barkley golf swing was characterized by one glaring, unforgettable flaw: the "hitch." This was a series of involuntary, full-body spasms or "pumps" that occurred at the top of his backswing, just before starting the downswing.

The Psychological and Mechanical Root of the Yips

The hitch was a classic case of the full-swing yips—a psychoneuromuscular condition where a golfer experiences a sudden, involuntary jerk or flinch during a swing. The condition is often psychological, triggered by anxiety or fear of failure, particularly in high-pressure situations or in front of an audience, which Barkley constantly faced at celebrity tournaments.

• The Backswing Stall: Barkley would take the club back to the top of his backswing relatively smoothly.
• The Freeze/Hitch: At the transition point, instead of starting the downswing, he would inexplicably stop, and his body would perform multiple small, upward, and downward jerks.
• The Downswing Result: This interruption destroyed his sequencing, forcing him to stand up out of the shot, which led to inconsistent contact, shanks, and a massive loss of power and accuracy.

Barkley’s struggles were public, painful, and persistent. He tried countless remedies and worked with numerous coaches over two decades, yet the hitch remained a fixture of his game.

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5 Major Breakthroughs That Cured Sir Charles’ Swing

The turning point for Barkley's swing transformation came through a series of dedicated efforts and, most importantly, the guidance of a specific coach. The breakthrough wasn't a single event but a methodical process that addressed the root cause of the yips.

1. The Intervention of Stan Utley

The most crucial entity in Barkley’s transformation was short game guru Stan Utley, a highly respected PGA TOUR veteran and instructor. Utley, known for his work with players like Sergio Garcia, took a simple, psychological approach to fixing the complex problem.

2. The Simple, Psychological Swing Key

Utley recognized that Barkley’s yips were a reaction to the fear of starting the downswing. The coach gave him one simple, counterintuitive thought: "Feel like your wrists were throwing the club head backward to start the downswing."

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This single instruction served a dual purpose:

• It gave Barkley a simple, actionable thought to focus on, overriding the anxiety that caused the hitch.
• It helped "unload" the tension built up at the top of the backswing, forcing a more fluid, connected transition to the downswing.

3. The New, Fluid Transition

The result of Utley’s key was the elimination of the violent stopping and starting. The new swing features a much smoother, more continuous motion from the backswing to the downswing. While not technically perfect by PGA TOUR standards, it is consistent, repeatable, and, most importantly, hitch-free.

4. The 2024 American Century Championship Proof

The ultimate proof of the swing’s success came at the 2024 American Century Championship (ACC) at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Barkley’s performance was his best in years, silencing critics and thrilling fans.

• Impressive Finish: Barkley finished the tournament with a score of -4 points, placing him tied for 58th (T58) in the celebrity-studded field.
• The Eagle Shot: The highlight of his tournament was an incredible eagle shot, a feat unthinkable during the height of his yips struggle. This moment was a massive confidence boost and a viral sensation, proving his new swing could produce truly great shots.
• Improved Handicap: Reports indicate that Barkley's handicap has dropped significantly, even reaching single digits at times, a remarkable achievement for someone who once struggled to make solid contact.

5. The Regions Tradition and Public Validation

The initial public reveal of the improved swing occurred earlier at the Regions Tradition Pro-Am at Greystone Golf & Country Club, part of the Champions Tour schedule. The video of his smooth swing went viral, with fans and golf analysts alike celebrating the end of the infamous hitch. This public validation provided the psychological reinforcement needed to cement the new mechanics.

The Topical Authority: Why Barkley’s Swing Matters to Golfers

The story of Charles Barkley’s golf swing is more than just a celebrity anecdote; it’s a powerful lesson in sports psychology and golf instruction, making it a critical entity in the conversation about the yips.

His journey offers a case study on how to overcome severe performance anxiety. The yips are not solely about mechanics; they are a mental block. Barkley’s success with Stan Utley highlights that sometimes the solution isn’t a complex mechanical overhaul (like changing grip or stance) but a simple, compelling mental cue that interrupts the negative thought pattern.

For amateur golfers who struggle with consistency or their own form of the yips—whether in putting, chipping, or the full swing—Barkley’s transformation provides hope. It demonstrates the power of a dedicated coach, the importance of a simple swing thought, and the perseverance required to break a long-standing, deeply ingrained bad habit.

From being the poster child for golf swing disasters to a respectable competitor who can now hit a clutch eagle in a major celebrity event, Charles Barkley’s golf journey is a testament to dedication. The hitch is gone, replaced by a consistent, repeatable action that allows "Chuck" to finally enjoy the game he loves.