How to Make a Centered Hip Turn

[Blackjack Don]

You must have been a ballplayer, too. I have a friend, a senior like me, who plays slow-pitch every week. He has a far worse problem than I do with turning his right shoulder at the start of the downswing. I still can get an inside out swing, but it is coming over the top of my backswing. Don't know how I can stop doing it.

[JonMA1]

3 minutes ago, Blackjack Don said:

You must have been a ballplayer, too. I have a friend, a senior like me, who plays slow-pitch every week. He has a far worse problem than I do with turning his right shoulder at the start of the downswing.

I did play a lot of baseball/softball. But still, there are plenty of ex-ball players who have gotten this.

It's maddening. Towards the end of the year, instead of just taking practice swings of what I wanted to do (as I had for the last few years), I would instead simulate the wrong move I was trying to eliminate. I know this sounds crazy, but by becoming more aware of the fault just before my swing, it seemed to help fight it. It's hard to explain. Plus, I'm completely insane so there's that.

15 minutes ago, Blackjack Don said:

I still can get an inside out swing, but it is coming over the top of my backswing. Don't know how I can stop doing it.

I always thought over-the-top was a downswing issue. Is your ball flight normally a draw on your good shots?

[Blackjack Don]

Always. I don't swing outside in unless I am hitting short irons and really trying to stop the ball. That I can do. I played tournament tennis for twenty years. I have an outside in swing. But the problem is turning my right shoulder toward the target. This changes my swing plane.

I have a Zepp device and it drives me crazy. 

[iacas]

On 12/25/2016 at 10:40 AM, JonMA1 said:

As I get to the top, I might be in ok position - initially. But then I make an unconscious adjustment to get aligned to the target line when or just before starting the downswing.

What do you mean "get aligned to the target line"? Do you mean you open your shoulders up?

[JonMA1]

2 minutes ago, iacas said:

What do you mean "get aligned to the target line"? Do you mean you open your shoulders up?

Yes.

[mvmac]

Not my pic but good example of another great player demonstrating a centered hip turn.

Quick note about the caption, yes even though is some space between the stick and his right leg/hip there is a weight/pressure shift right in a centered turn.

[SunkTheBirdie]

Look at the difference in the location on the belt loop in the middle.

See how it is on the line at address, and has travelled alot targetwards by the top of swing position !

 

 

 

Edited March 11, 2017 by SunkTheBirdie

[mvmac]

 

[Moxley]

Thank you for this thread & video , this has helped me out a lot . I've been struggling a lot with my iron play lately, which has always been wristy, and has recently got a lot worse. 

I've always known that rotating rather sliding is important, but visualising Rory actually moving very slightly towards target as he rotated was just what I needed. Really helped me strike the ball well today. 

[Vinsk]

29 minutes ago, Moxley said:

Thank you for this thread & video , this has helped me out a lot . I've been struggling a lot with my iron play lately, which has always been wristy, and has recently got a lot worse. 

I've always known that rotating rather sliding is important, but visualising Rory actually moving very slightly towards target as he rotated was just what I needed. Really helped me strike the ball well today. 

Yeah this is an awesome thread. The view on first post page 7...rear view....I just want to swing like him. 

[mvmac]

Always enjoy it when I hear a mechanics piece described in a new or different way. Good visual for the pivot from a great coach/instructor who happens to teach at my club.  

 

[Parpy]

Good drills. Thanks for sharing

[Fuddalan]

Great teaching. Excellent drills. Very informative thread. Although I'll confess I haven't read all of it, so I might be echoing others comments. My background is biomechanics and exercise prescription, so I appreciate the mechanics of a good golf swing.

I have dealt with a lot of golfers over the years that struggled with their hip turn (me included). What I found was it wasn't a lack of understanding of what they need to do, nor of implementing the instructuions and components of a good swing, and/or doing the drills. Rather it was a mobility issue with their body.

One, or more, of the mobile segments of their body relating to performing a swing was restricted. Glutes are commonly an issue with hip center and turn. And subsequent to that it's an issue with the sacroiliac joints. You can only turn your feet out so much to compensate otherwise you risk overloading the knee and injury.

It's probably wise to inform people that if they can't manage hip center and turn after a bit of practice then the probably have a mobility issue.

BTW the Lexi Thomson video that was somewhere in the thread is a rubbish example. Her hip turn is crap. Whoever put the angle markers overlay (overhead shot) got it wrong especially on her trail leg. Her hips at top of backswing aren't close to 56 degrees. I believe she has to get up on her toes to compensate. She sruggles to clear her hip on the lead leg too and so has get up on her toes to get it out of the way. My two cents worth.

 

[Carl3]

On 12/25/2016 at 11:49 AM, Blackjack Don said:

have a Zepp device and it drives me crazy

Just looked this up. Very interested in hearing more about it. How does it drive you crazy? Are you not recommending the product?

[Vinsk]

4 hours ago, Fuddalan said:

BTW the Lexi Thomson video that was somewhere in the thread is a rubbish example. Her hip turn is crap. Whoever put the angle markers overlay (overhead shot) got it wrong especially on her trail leg. Her hips at top of backswing aren't close to 56 degrees. I believe she has to get up on her toes to compensate. She sruggles to clear her hip on the lead leg too and so has get up on her toes to get it out of the way. My two cents worth.

I’m not sure how important the numbers are. But if you’re going to state this it would be helpful to reproduce the pic and show your measurements as to explain your position. It would bring much more value to your ‘two cents.’