Bracing against the right leg

[GlasgowsGreen]

During my backswing, as my weight transfers to my right side my right hip moves quite noticeably (on video) to the right.

Although I'm still able to brace against the right leg, I've heard it said that the right leg should be solid 'like a tree trunk' and not move at all.

And I've also noticed that the most consistent golfer in the world, Luke Donald, moves ever so slightly to the right during his backswing..

So what's the general consensus? Can the right hip slide a bit to the right during the backswing, or is the No.1 in the world doing it wrong?

[GlasgowsGreen]

Notwithstanding Luke's swing, any advice on how to prevent the hip moving to the right would be much appreciated!

I'm heard it said that the right hip and shoulder should feel as if they are moving back , however I'm worried that this would result in a 'reverse pivot'?

[BWChuck]

I'm pretty new to golf as well, and I used to hip sway a lot.  Here is what helped me eliminate the sway:

Don't feel like the right shoulder is going up.  Feel like the left shoulder is going down.

Feel the flex in the left knee.  If you don't feel it, take some slow swings or ghosts swings until you feel it.  When your hips slide to your right, its very hard to get any flex in the left side because all your weight is on the right.

Steady head.  If your head moves backwards (or any direction), chances are your weight will too.

Turn the hips.

These ideas helped me greatly.

[Motley01]

I had this problem once. You don't want the hip sway, keep your right leg braced, but still bent a little, and not straightened.

What I did to fix the hip sway, is at the range, I got an old shaft with no club. Stuck it into the ground next to your right foot, body, against the right hip. And just making your regular swing, making sure not to move the shaft.

[westcyderydin]

Read into some of the threads on hear a little more and you will find a lot of good stuff on this.

Don't try to move weight on to your back foot, try to keep your weight centered on your backswing.  And don't try to move your shoulders back either...think of turning them in a circle...that will also help to keep you centered...and make better contact.

[Limpinswinger]

Originally Posted by GlasgowsGreen

During my backswing, as my weight transfers to my right side my right hip moves quite noticeably (on video) to the right.

Although I'm still able to brace against the right leg, I've heard it said that the right leg should be solid 'like a tree trunk' and not move at all.

And I've also noticed that the most consistent golfer in the world, Luke Donald, moves ever so slightly to the right during his backswing..

So what's the general consensus? Can the right hip slide a bit to the right during the backswing, or is the No.1 in the world doing it wrong?

The #1 isn't doing it wrong per se .  But, you and I are not Luke Donald, and what he's doing is much harder for most amatures to do and still get their hip back in front of the ball before contact to hit a consistently clean ball.  If you can, then keep up the good work.

[Limpinswinger]

Originally Posted by GlasgowsGreen

Notwithstanding Luke's swing, any advice on how to prevent the hip moving to the right would be much appreciated!

I'm heard it said that the right hip and shoulder should feel as if they are moving back, however I'm worried that this would result in a 'reverse pivot'?

I've read the first 40 pages, or so, of "The S&T; Swing" (haven't had a chance to finish it yet), and suddenly I'm acutely aware that many on this board haven't.  Get the book.  It's well done.

As I understand it, on the backswing, the hips and shoulders rotate clockwise around the spine while you maintain the spine's inclination to the ground, the right leg straightens and the left leg bends (this helps to prevent you from swaying back with the hips or shoulders and promotes an inside takeback and a full hip turn).  At the top of the swing, the head, center of the shoulders and center of the hips remain "stacked" over the ball, while the left shoulder is "tilted" to the left (which is toward the ball since your shoulders and hips are rotated back away from the target).  From the top of the swing, you lead the downswing with a slide of the left hip toward the target while keeping your head and center of your shoulders over the ball.