Ben Hogan’s Hip Movement

[Fish Man]

Hogan's hip turn: Five Lessons gives the image of an elastic band attached to the left hip suggesting that the downswing begins with level turning of the hips. However in looking at Ben's downswing, it does begin with the hips, but his left hip actually elevates higher than his right as he turns. The video of him explaining how to use the lower body doesn't mention that, but if you watch him demonstrate his downswing, you can see it quite clearly. That suggests that he first elevates his left hip as he begins to turn to keep him from simply spinning around level. Have I analyzed this correctly? Would love the thoughts of a pro or scratch handicap. I'm 76 and a 12.--Fish Man

[iacas]

His left hip doesn't elevate immediately, either. It slides forward while staying "lower" in the early part, and transitions into a more rotational move later on.

[dennyjones]

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[DrDom]

On 1/19/2020 at 10:38 AM, Fish Man said:

Hogan's hip turn: Five Lessons gives the image of an elastic band attached to the left hip suggesting that the downswing begins with level turning of the hips. However in looking at Ben's downswing, it does begin with the hips, but his left hip actually elevates higher than his right as he turns. The video of him explaining how to use the lower body doesn't mention that, but if you watch him demonstrate his downswing, you can see it quite clearly. That suggests that he first elevates his left hip as he begins to turn to keep him from simply spinning around level. Have I analyzed this correctly? Would love the thoughts of a pro or scratch handicap. I'm 76 and a 12.--Fish Man

The Forward Swing actually begins with a "lateral shift" that starts the lead hips turning as it should. Mr. Hogan states this in his Five Lessons. ... In fact, he says that the lateral move is just enough to turn the hip. -- You will find that all of Mr. Hogan's positions at Address greatly enhance proper swing action "Start to Finish!" -- Best, DrDom 

[DrDom]

By the way, your observation about the Lead Hip elevating is correct. But this occurs as a natural response to  Mr. Hogan's "lateral shift".  

[iacas]

45 minutes ago, DrDom said:

By the way, your observation about the Lead Hip elevating is correct. But this occurs as a natural response to  Mr. Hogan's "lateral shift".  

Yeah, moreso it has to do with the inclination of the hips and their turning around that inclination. Even if the "circle" shifts laterally a little, it's still inclined.