Should we turn the hips in the backswing or just let them turn on their own?

[chspeed]

Hi,

I've been working on 5SK (especially #1 and #2) following videos and advice on this forum. I've actually experienced some solid improvement in ball striking just focusing on these so far. I do plan on taking videos of my swing and signing up for Evolvr this winter.

In the meantime, one (of a few) things I struggle with is the hip turn. To really get a solid turn of 90+ degrees on the backswing (while keeping feet flared and knees nicely out), I feel the need to turn my hips back early -  just as the shoulders are beginning to turn back. These frees up the shoulders to turn, but my hips sometimes end up quite a bit more than 45 degrees "closed". This, I think, leads to inconsistency. When they're turned that far back, I think it's hard for me to get to a good impact position with my hips. It's just a lot of movement to get them back in place.

I've tried focusing on just turning the shoulders, and letting the hips turn instead of "preturning" them, but I'm concerned that I'm not getting a good enough shoulder turn that way.

I know this is probably useless without video, but any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

[Ernest Jones]

Hips should go 45* and shoulders should be around 90*.

I don't think anyone can give you a definitive answer to your question, you're kinda into feel territory here. Some guys will need to focus on their hips some guys will need to focus on their left shoulder, for some it will be right shoulder, or trail knee, or lead knee...some guys will need to feel a sensation of restriction, some guys will need to feel a hugely exaggerated turn and so on and so forth. Best bet is to try a variety of different feels and video it all so you can see what it translates to. Personally my current focus in the backswing is in my hands and forearms, but feels can migrate so that could change in a week or a month...

Why don't you start a My Swing thread?

[mvmac]

Hi,

I've been working on 5SK (especially #1 and #2) following videos and advice on this forum. I've actually experienced some solid improvement in ball striking just focusing on these so far. I do plan on taking videos of my swing and signing up for Evolvr this winter.

In the meantime, one (of a few) things I struggle with is the hip turn. To really get a solid turn of 90+ degrees on the backswing (while keeping feet flared and knees nicely out), I feel the need to turn my hips back early -  just as the shoulders are beginning to turn back. These frees up the shoulders to turn, but my hips sometimes end up quite a bit more than 45 degrees "closed". This, I think, leads to inconsistency. When they're turned that far back, I think it's hard for me to get to a good impact position with my hips. It's just a lot of movement to get them back in place.

I've tried focusing on just turning the shoulders, and letting the hips turn instead of "preturning" them, but I'm concerned that I'm not getting a good enough shoulder turn that way.

If you're turning your hips 45 degrees then you're on the right track. To get 90 degrees of torso turn or more, the hips are going to have to turn about 45 degrees.

This might be a helpful thread.

[chspeed]

If you're turning your hips 45 degrees then you're on the right track. To get 90 degrees of torso turn or more, the hips are going to have to turn about 45 degrees.

This might be a helpful thread.

Thanks @mvmac , extremely helpful. Will work on this over the weekend - hopefully we won't get much snow here!

[mmoan2]

Hi,

I've been working on 5SK (especially #1 and #2) following videos and advice on this forum. I've actually experienced some solid improvement in ball striking just focusing on these so far. I do plan on taking videos of my swing and signing up for Evolvr this winter.

In the meantime, one (of a few) things I struggle with is the hip turn. To really get a solid turn of 90+ degrees on the backswing (while keeping feet flared and knees nicely out), I feel the need to turn my hips back early -  just as the shoulders are beginning to turn back. These frees up the shoulders to turn, but my hips sometimes end up quite a bit more than 45 degrees "closed". This, I think, leads to inconsistency. When they're turned that far back, I think it's hard for me to get to a good impact position with my hips. It's just a lot of movement to get them back in place.

I've tried focusing on just turning the shoulders, and letting the hips turn instead of "preturning" them, but I'm concerned that I'm not getting a good enough shoulder turn that way.

I know this is probably useless without video, but any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

You may have a different feel than me, but one of my major issues is not turning my hips enough. I can say for me that turning 45 degrees feels like I'm turning 135 degrees! The guys here preach that turning your hips too much is a very uncommon problem, and lack of hip turn is more prevalent. I totally agree, and didn't really notice how little I turn until I filmed it. I now practice in  my garage turning until it feels like my core muscles are about to explode. Long story short - you may need to exaggerate your hip turn for a while to make it be what it really should be, and it will be an arduous process, especially if you are tired.

[arturo28mx]

If you try to get your back to face the target (90 degree shoulder rotation) your hips will turn on their own. Let your shoulders turn your hips.

[golfrocks]

I tried flaring my feet out and turning my hips 45 degrees and when I do this i over turn so be careful to not overturn cause u might get arcoss the line

[mvmac]

I tried flaring my feet out and turning my hips 45 degrees and when I do this i over turn so be careful to not overturn cause u might get arcoss the line

I disagree

http://thesandtrap.com/t/78424/my-swing-golfrocks/36#post_1082814

Arm swing may be too long but you aren't over-turning.

[jclark]

I tried flaring my feet out and turning my hips 45 degrees and when I do this i over turn so be careful to not overturn cause u might get arcoss the line

If this is really the case then you must be the most flexible human being alive.

[chspeed]

I disagree

http://thesandtrap.com/t/78424/my-swing-golfrocks/36#post_1082814

Arm swing may be too long but you aren't over-turning.

So hard to stop the arms once shoulders stop turning. So easy to overswing!

[jclark]

So hard to stop the arms once shoulders stop turning. So easy to overswing!

Maybe have the thought of not swinging your arms at all in the backswing. Use your turn to swing the club back, and use your arms to lift the club. If you do this with a proper coil I don't think you could overswing ever.

[mvmac]

Maybe have the thought of not swinging your arms at all in the backswing. Use your turn to swing the club back, and use your arms to lift the club. If you do this with a proper coil I don't think you could overswing ever.

Yeah I gave him a drill and a few feels. Can check out the link I included.

[golfrocks]

@mvmac so if I am over swinging does that mean I'm not turning my hips enough? Or am my hips turning enough but I need to shorten my backswing

[billchao]

@mvmac so if I am over swinging does that mean I'm not turning my hips enough? Or am my hips turning enough but I need to shorten my backswing

Your personal swing issues should be (and have been) addressed in your swing thread. The Instructions and Playing Tips forum is typically for general information. Just go with what @mvmac told you there.

[jclark]

Yeah I gave him a drill and a few feels. Can check out the link I included.

My bad @mvmac . I don't want to confuse anyone or give conflicting informantion, especially if you guys already covered it. :-)