What is the hip turn?

The word " TURN" in the golf swing is misunderstood by most amateurs.

When an amateur hears the word "Turn" in reference to the golf swing, they automatically think about making the biggest hip turn as possible on the back swing to create power. This could not be further from the truth.

The hips and thighs are the largest group of muscles in the human body. When the hips turn fully on the takeaway, the back leg will have a tendency to straighten which then forces you to slide forward through the shot. This is a poor use of body mechanics, as you are hitting the shot with your back, and not with your legs.

On the takeaway, the shoulders TURN to create resistance into the flexed back leg creating a SHIFT to the back foot instead of a TURN of the hips. Once the weight has shifted into the braced back leg, the back hip is then able to TURN all the way through to the target with no resistance.

Pinch your right knee toward the ball at address, retain that position on the takeaway to promote resistance into the back thigh. This will encourage a powerful pivot toward the target by pushing up and off the back foot. For practice at a range, I recommend taking 3 steps after contact with the ball starting with your back foot. Then do it again with 1 step. Then after that, your thighs know how to “Pivot” through the shot instead of “slide”.

True power comes from the ground up. Using this method will take pressure OFF the lower back and promote a balanced finish through to the target.

A Simple Thought

Minimum hip turn on the takeaway, Maximum hip turn on the forward swing.

I have created a simple tool which you attach to the grip. This tool forces the player to use their coordinated side to deliver the club, by making a Natural Swing through the ball to the target, it is called the "Swing King".