Many golfers struggle with hip movement in the downswing, leading to inconsistent ball striking, weak shots, and even the dreaded slice. If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost power, or struggled to make solid contact, chances are your hips aren’t working correctly. Let’s break down the correct way to use your hips for a powerful, efficient, and repeatable golf swing.
The Most Common Hip Mistakes in the Downswing
Before we dive into the correct movement, let’s address what many golfers get wrong:
❌ Sliding Instead of Rotating – Moving your hips laterally without rotation prevents proper sequencing and leads to weak contact.
❌ Spinning Out Too Soon – If you open your hips too early without shifting weight properly, your upper body can fall behind, causing mishits.
❌ Hips Stalling at Impact – When your hips stop moving through the ball, your hands and arms take over, leading to a lack of control and power.
How to Move Your Hips Correctly in the Downswing
To generate effortless speed and improve ball striking, follow these key steps:
1. Start with a Proper Weight Shift
The downswing begins with a shift of pressure into your lead side. This isn’t a sway—your upper body stays centered while your lower body initiates the motion. Think of pushing into the ground with your lead foot to start the chain reaction of your swing.
2. Rotate, Don’t Slide
Instead of sliding your hips toward the target, focus on rotating your hips open. This allows your torso, arms, and club to follow naturally, preventing you from getting stuck or flipping the club at impact.
3. Keep Your Trail Hip Back
Many golfers push their trail hip toward the ball in the downswing, causing early extension and inconsistent contact. Instead, feel like you’re keeping your trail hip back while your lead hip clears out of the way. This move creates space for your arms and club to move freely through impact.
4. Feel the Ground for More Power
Engaging the ground properly is a game-changer for adding clubhead speed. As your downswing starts, feel like you’re using the ground to drive rotation—almost like you’re pushing the ground away with your lead foot. This allows for a powerful and controlled release through the ball.
Why Hip Rotation is a Game-Changer
Getting your hips to work properly in the downswing will help you:
✅ Increase Clubhead Speed – A well-sequenced downswing maximizes energy transfer.
✅ Improve Ball Striking – You’ll make more solid, center-face contact.
✅ Gain Consistency – Proper hip movement leads to better control and repeatability.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been struggling with your downswing, take a closer look at your hip movement. By focusing on weight shift, rotation, and ground engagement, you’ll unlock effortless power and consistency in your golf game. Try these tips on the range and see the difference in your ball striking!
For More Great Swing Advice From Mark Wood visit his personal golf community at https://www.markwood.golf/share/I0JXd_NM3t1dnpk-?utm_source=manual
For Online Lessons with Mark visit https://skillest.com/@MarkWoodGolf
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