Are the hips really what makes the pro's hit it as far as they do?

[DrawDriver]

I see many video's on the net talking about how you need to increase your hip speed to hit the ball farther. Is this true and are there any drills to do this.

[SavvySwede]

Speed in all parts of your body is necessary because you are only as fast as your weakest link. Most people have weak hips/poor mobility due to a lot of sitting and the modern lifestyle so it can often be a weak link for people(which may or may not apply to your case). Yoga is always a good option.

[mvmac]

Big part of it is how fast you can move your arms. Sadlowski can still hit over 300 on his knees.

[joekelly]

Yoga may be great to increase personal flexibility but will not necessarily increase clubhead speed.  Sure, stiff rigid bodies usually can't move too well but damn it, i've seen old men suffering from 'rigor mortis' smash the ball 235 yds, yet (and it hurts to say it) i can't despite my way better than average flexiness.

And i'd bet Sadlowski uses his torso and back muscles too, not just his arms, when driving the ball from off his knees.

My vote is: for normal folks the biggest and strongest muscles of the body are needed to generate mass in motion. This large mass in rotational motion extends through the torso, out the arms to the hands which connects to the club.

Check out RMcIlroy's swing mechanics on UTube, esp where someone hooked him up to a sensor belt to measure hip and torso rotation.  His forward moving and rotating hips are leading the way.