The Proper Hip Movement for Power and Consistency

Many of you prescribe to a popular myth and don’t even know it!  This myth involves your hips in the golf swing and it can rob you of power and consistency.  The wrong thought to have regarding your hips is to “turn my hips level” in both the backswing and downswing.  No, no, no, no no!!

Your hips do not turn level to the ground in either direction.  Instead, they work a few degrees down and up in your swing. Specifically, in the backswing, your right hip works upwardly a few degrees.  It will feel like your right leg is getting longer as you pivot your body in the backswing.  In the downswing, your left hip will work upwardly a few degrees.  A good image for this is to think of your belt buckle rising some as you swing through impact.  It will feel like a pelvic-thrusting motion.

Photo by Clare Bell

For your simplicity, I suggest swinging without a golf ball for a few minutes and figure out what you feel and sense.  Some golfers relate to thinking of the right hip, some relate to the left hip.  Find your preference and then add the ball into the equation.  You’ll know you have it right if your ball flies longer and straighter, especially with the driver.

(Cover Photo Credit)