First Move Down for Swingers

[EdZ]

Sorry for the newbie type post but where I get into trouble is the movement of the hips. How does one get the feel for the proper amount of hip slide and pivot action so as not to over or under do it?

A good place to begin is with a heavy club and your eyes closed. That will show you if your hip motion (or lack of it) is causing you to fall off balance. Hold your finish, with your eyes closed, and picture the shot you want in your mind.

When you can swing with your eyes closed, holding your finish until 'the ball lands' - chances are your pivot will be in a decent condition.


Beyond a balance issue, I'd have to see your motion.

[Vandal]

It seems for that my hips have no idea what they are supposed to do. Either that or my hands are too stubborn to let the hip do its job first.

I think my hips are turning before any slide or bump, which causes my right shoulder to never go down, only out. Hence, it's a big fat OTT move. Good news is that I never slice it. Just pulls and hooks. My left leg is turning. My back is hurting. In sum, I'm a mess.

[EdZ]

It seems for that my hips have no idea what they are supposed to do. Either that or my hands are too stubborn to let the hip do its job first.

I think my hips are turning before any slide or bump, which causes my right shoulder to never go down, only out. Hence, it's a big fat OTT move. Good news is that I never slice it. Just pulls and hooks. My left leg is turning. My back is hurting. In sum, I'm a mess.

The job of your hips is to respond to the hands. Just like throwing a ball.

Imagine skipping a rock, or throwing a stick for a dog (but from golf posture - one of Snead's great images).

As you do this, pay attention to the right forearm and shoulder.

There is a key difference between skipping a rock, and the same motion in golf - the plane. When you skip a rock, the water is horizontal, and your throw is therefore going to account for that. In golf - imagine the "lake is tilted" at 45 degrees to the horizon, and adjust your throw accordingly.

This will get your right shoulder 'down plane' properly, and will make the throw feel 'out to right field' a bit. More of an 'upper cut' motion.

Your hips and pivot will respond in the golf swing, the same way they respond to throwing the stick or stone.