Turning your hips is one of the most misunderstood swing fundamentals that you hear over and over.
“Turn your hips for more power,” or, “Turn your hips to square the club face.” This can be disastrous for the average golfer. Yes, the hips do help create club head speed, but only if they are properly sequenced with the hands and arms.
When you try to rotate your hips without a slight lateral shift to the left side on the downswing, your weight will hang back on the right side. This creates several problems, casting the club from the top, topping, slicing and loss of power. The correct movement on the downswing starts with a slight lateral bump with the left knee, not the hips. This allows the hands, arms and club to drop to the inside, creating the correct inside path to the ball. Having the club move from the inside on the downswing will create a more powerful approach to the ball with improved accuracy.
Try this drill: Tee a ball up with a mid iron. Place an alignment stick about three or four inches just ahead and parallel with the left knee, (see photo). Make a swing to the top and pause, then start the downswing with a bump of the left knee to the stick. As your weight shifts forward, feel the club drop to the inside, and then the hips will turn – but not before the weight shift.
Free clinic
Coyote Creek Golf Club is holding a free Faults and Cure Clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The clinic is designed to help you with some of the most common swing faults, such as slicing, topping and loss of distance. Bring your clubs and tell a friend.
To register, contact the Coyote Creek Golf Shop, (408) 463-1400.
Don Leone is PGA director of instruction at Coyote Creek Golf Club. He writes for the Morgan Hill Times and South Valley Newspapers, and can be reached for questions or help at 463-1800 ext. 118, dl****@co*************.com.
