Hips during the swing?

[iacas]

Thanks for looking at the swing. Since then I have worked on posture and a wider stance. More specifically I have moved my back foot right in my stance. By doing this it gives me a more stable base, and it limits the lateral movement back. Also, it prevents me from over rotating on the follow through.

I'd be careful there. It may feel like less lateral movement, but may in fact be more.

For example, suppose your feet are a foot apart and you move back three inches. That's 25% of the distance. Now put your feet two feet apart and move back four inches. It might feel like less because it's only 16%, but it's still four inches versus three. Pros tend to have narrower stances than amateurs.

[mc0388]

No problem. One more thing I wanted to add and I'll keep it quick as it sounds like you've changed your swing quite a bit since those vids and I don't want to keep adding on thoughts. But where do you feel your weight at in your backswing? This was something that I had no clue about for probably 20 years. I would try to transfer my weight by swaying and my weight would get to the outside of my right foot (which is wrong). When you weight goes there, it's hard to make the proper pivot and turn of the hips and shoulders. Your weight should be moving to your right heel in your backswing. Getting your weight in your right heel should give you the feeling of being able to turn correctly without the slide/sway.

I try to focus my weight between the ball of my right foot and my heel (arch), as I like the feeling of being balanced -VS- weight on my heel (although my thoughts may be wrong). I feel 'pressure' (lack of better word) on the inside of my right thigh at the top of my backswing. Currently I try never to let my right hip get outside of my right foot...

I really think Im very close to having a simple effective swing...

[deronsizemore]

Pros tend to have narrower stances than amateurs.

One that comes to mind is Sergio Garcia. I've watched him at a couple tournaments now (one of which was inside the ropes) and especially with irons, he's got a very narrow stance. It's hard to tell watching on TV a lot of times with the different camera angles.

I try to focus my weight between the ball of my right foot and my heel (arch), as I like the feeling of being balanced -VS- weight on my heel (although my thoughts may be wrong). I feel 'pressure' (lack of better word) on the inside of my right thigh at the top of my backswing. Currently I try never to let my right hip get outside of my right foot...

Every great instructor that I've read about advocates the weight in the right heel on the backswing. Here's my understanding of it from what I've read, been taught and feel in my own swing.

Start with your weight centered between the balls of your feel and your heels. As you swing back and your hips rotate and your left knee bends inward slightly (for a righty) this should feel like it pushes weight out to your big toe area on your left foot. The only way to counter balance that is to move the weight in your right foot to your heel. Then on the downswing, the weight moves from your left foot toes and gradually makes its way to your left heel as your rotate your hips through to the finish your right knee bends and the weight comes off of your right heel and moves onto your right toe to counter act the weight movement in you left foot. Basically, every action in the swing gets an opposite reaction. So, if you start your weight on your toes at address, as you swing your weight will likely move back in your heels to counter balance the fact that it started on your toes (or else you'll fall over). But as we all know with golf, there's more that one way to get it done.

[mc0388]

I'd be careful there. It may feel like less lateral movement, but may in fact be more.

Funny you comment on my stance.

I quickly went back to the narrower stance (as in vid), as I was hitting everything thin with a small push with the wider stance (my hips were getting stuck open). I've been allowing my hips to come in more (prob to 45*) on my take away instead of restricting them. And I would have to admit it feels diferent, but not in a bad way. My yardage is back up to where it should be. Since the newer version of my old swing (vid) allows my hips to rotate, I still have some kinks to work out, which are: 1. Hitting the ball thin (I still get my yardage and high spin rate, but feel (slight rattle) and ball flight is low. 2. Still searching for head position (On the ball or behind and steady) So far this week I shot a 91 and a 90. Putting has been no fun since the greens were over seeded and they aren't cut. Swing has been a tad all over the place, but this is expected. Tomorrow, Ill play and keep track of FIR, GIR, and putts.

[mc0388]

Every great instructor that I've read about advocates the weight in the right heel on the backswing. Here's my understanding of it from what I've read, been taught and feel in my own swing.

So far I like the hip 'action' in the swing. With all the added swing thoughts lately, Im gonna have to wait until Im comfortable with my stance and hips, before I throw in a different rotation point. Ill try a litl tomorrow with my practice ball. We've been fortunate enough to be the 1st players out in the morning 7:15 tee times, to play slow with 1 or 2 balls

Thanks again

[deronsizemore]

So far I like the hip 'action' in the swing. With all the added swing thoughts lately, Im gonna have to wait until Im comfortable with my stance and hips, before I throw in a different rotation point. Ill try a litl tomorrow with my practice ball. We've been fortunate enough to be the 1st players out in the morning 7:15 tee times, to play slow with 1 or 2 balls

Oh yeah, you can definitely get information overload. One thing at a time is best in golf (or at least it is for me). Once I finally had the proverbial light bulb moment with how to properly rotate my hips, and transfer my weight correctly I started striking the ball MUCH better; like night and day better. Hopefully it will have the same effect for you. :)

[mc0388]

Oh yeah, you can definitely get information overload. One thing at a time is best in golf (or at least it is for me). Once I finally had the proverbial light bulb moment with how to properly rotate my hips, and transfer my weight correctly I started striking the ball MUCH better; like night and day better. Hopefully it will have the same effect for you. :)

My last round this week was horrible. What I learned is: -My stance has to be closer to shoulder width apart, this helps with me getting through the ball and getting my weight forward. -My shoulder turn is the most important aspect of 'my' swing. When I focus on my hips, stance, weight shift (trying to eliminate): My arms lift instead of my shoulders rotate. This was my only swing thought (which I have to get back to) -I need to ingrain where to stop my hips on the backswing. I was getting a little greedy with my turn which lead to my weight back, hitting thin, and a push fade on my follow through. All in all, I think I have the info i need to practice during the off season. Thanks Matt C