Ava Romero
Clearing the hips in the downswing is a golf biomechanics technique that can improve accuracy when executed correctly. The hips initiate the downswing, and when the hips are not cleared, the body locks up, and the hands and arms have to compensate. This can cause inconsistencies in the swing and result in reduced power and accuracy. To clear the hips effectively, it is important to understand the correct sequence of body movements and practice this slowly, gradually increasing speed and precision. Additionally, observing professional golfers can provide guidance on hip rotation and clearance. However, it is noted that clearing the hips may not be suitable for all golfers, especially those who struggle with slicing or have an over-the-plane swing, as it can exacerbate existing issues.
Characteristics and Values for Clearing Hips in the Golf Downswing
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hip Rotation | Should be full and open-faced towards the target when striking the ball |
| Body Posture | Should be low to the ground to allow for more hip opening |
| Swing Speed | Should be slow and fluid, gradually increasing speed and precision |
| Swing Initiation | The hips initiate the downswing |
| Leg Movement | Legs should be bent to allow for hip opening |
| Hands and Arms | Should be ahead of the clubhead at impact |
| Drill | Imagine a clock on the ground, with your hips at 3 and 9, and pull your left cheek back to 7 o'clock during the downswing |
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What You'll Learn
- Learn from the pros: Study Dustin Johnson and Matthew Wolfe's hip rotations
- Practice a slower swing: Focus on the sequence of body movements
- Avoid certain techniques: Don't clear hips if you struggle with a slice or have an over-the-plane swing
- Bend your knees: This helps to open your hips and prevent locking
- Focus on your left side: During the downswing, pull your left ass cheek towards 7 o'clock
Learn from the pros: Study Dustin Johnson and Matthew Wolfe's hip rotations
When it comes to improving your golf swing, studying the techniques of professional golfers can be extremely beneficial. Two such professionals with exceptional hip rotation techniques are Dustin Johnson and Matthew Wolfe.
Dustin Johnson is known for his powerful and fluid swing, which he achieves through a technique called the "coiled spring". This technique involves loading, turning, and creating tension in the backswing, allowing for a more powerful release. Johnson focuses on a big hip turn and a major shoulder turn, which helps him generate significant power and distance. He also ensures that his hips initiate the downswing, leading to improved accuracy.
Matthew Wolfe is also renowned for his impressive hip rotation, which he believes is developed through exaggeration drills. He emphasizes the importance of teaching your body to move in new ways, even if it feels unnatural at first. One of his notable drills involves a front heel lift during the backswing, which allows for increased rotation. Additionally, Wolfe focuses on the sequencing of his body rotation, starting from the ground up. This results in a smooth and powerful swing with no tension in his arms.
By studying Dustin Johnson and Matthew Wolfe's hip rotations, golfers can learn the importance of full hip turns, tension creation, and the sequencing of body movements. These techniques can lead to improved power, distance, and accuracy in the golf swing.
It is worth noting that while studying these professionals can provide valuable insights, each golfer's body is unique, and techniques may need to be adapted to suit individual capabilities and styles.
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Practice a slower swing: Focus on the sequence of body movements
When it comes to improving your golf swing, one key area to focus on is hip clearance, or hip rotation, during the downswing. This is a mechanism that not many golfers understand, but it can significantly improve your shot accuracy and consistency when done correctly.
One way to improve your hip clearance is to slow down your swing and focus on the sequence of body movements. Start by practicing your backswing without a club. Ensure your hips are fully turned away from the target, keeping your weight balanced on the balls of your feet. Keep your hips level throughout the swing—avoid dipping or rising, as this can affect your balance.
Next, initiate the downswing with your hips, pulling your left buttock back and clearing it behind you, towards 7 o'clock. This will help you generate power and maintain your posture. As you continue the downswing, your hips should be fully open towards the target by the time your clubface strikes the ball.
Once you have mastered this sequence of movements without a club, start practicing with a club, gradually increasing your speed and precision. This will help you develop a fluid and efficient swing, generating maximum power.
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Avoid certain techniques: Don't clear hips if you struggle with a slice or have an over-the-plane swing
Clearing your hips during a golf downswing can increase power and accuracy. However, golfers who struggle with slicing or have an over-the-plane swing should avoid this technique.
When golfers clear their hips, they increase hip rotation, which can open up the club face at impact. This is beneficial for many golfers, but for those who already struggle with slicing, it can negatively impact their performance. Slicers should aim for quieter hips, which encourages more hand activity throughout the swing, making it more likely that the hands will turn over through impact and square the club face.
Additionally, clearing the hips can encourage the club face to move forward and the swing path out-to-in, which can make the swing more over-the-plane. This can be an issue for golfers who already have an over-the-plane swing, as it will exaggerate the problem.
Instead of focusing on clearing the hips, golfers who struggle with slicing or have an over-the-plane swing should strive for a more fluid movement. They should practice the correct kinematic sequence, which involves keeping the hips closed initially, letting the arms swing down, and then allowing the hips to clear as the arms swing through. This can help improve timing and consistency.
Furthermore, golfers can benefit from practising a slower swing, both with and without a club. By focusing on the proper body movement sequence, they can improve their technique and make it more instinctive. This involves the hips finishing the backswing and initiating the downswing, which should eventually become a natural movement pattern.
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Bend your knees: This helps to open your hips and prevent locking
Bending your knees is an important aspect of a proper golf setup. While some golfers bend their knees too much, others barely bend their knees at all. However, the ideal setup is found in between these two extremes in what can be described as an athletic position.
At address, you should have your knees flexed a little, which, in combination with your spine angle, will have the bulk of your weight residing in the middle of your feet. Your hands will be hanging loose down your arms, which will be perpendicular to the ground, providing plenty of room between your knees and your hands. This position is quite stable, enabling you to maintain perfect balance as you perform your golf swing.
Bending your knees helps to open your hips and prevent locking. Locked hips can occur when they don't have the capacity for rotation, resulting in a restricted and blocky swing. By bending your knees and adopting an athletic position, you encourage hip mobility and the ability to rotate your hips fully by the end of the follow-through.
Additionally, bending your knees can help you feel what it means to have open hips. Professional golfer Matthew Wolfe is known for a drill where he turns his hips and opens his toes about thirty degrees. This helps him feel what it's like to have open hips at the moment of striking the ball. By bending your knees and adopting an athletic stance, you create the necessary conditions to explore this feeling of openness in your hips and improve your swing.
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Focus on your left side: During the downswing, pull your left ass cheek towards 7 o'clock
When it comes to the golf downswing, there are several techniques that can be employed to improve your form and technique. One such technique involves focusing on your left side, specifically the movement of your left buttock or hip during the downswing.
Visualise a large clock face on the ground as you stand over the ball. Your eyes are at 12 o'clock, your left buttock is at 6 o'clock, and your hips are at 3 and 9 o'clock, respectively. As you begin to shift your weight back to your front side during the transition, you want to focus on pulling your left buttock back towards 7 o'clock. This movement should continue throughout the entirety of the downswing.
By pulling your left buttock back in this manner, you create a more effective clearing motion for your hips. This technique helps prevent the common issue of trying to clear the hips by simply sliding forward and pushing the left hip towards 9 o'clock. Instead, by pulling back towards 7 o'clock, you create a more powerful and accurate swing.
It is important to note that the hips play a crucial role in the golf swing. They initiate the downswing and provide stability to the entire body during the swing. By understanding how to properly clear your hips, you can improve your shot accuracy and generate more power. Additionally, engaging the correct muscles, such as the glutes, can help stabilise the pelvis and torso, leading to a more controlled and efficient swing.
To improve your hip clearance, it is recommended to slow down your swing and practice the sequence of movements, gradually increasing speed and precision. Additionally, focusing on your hip rotation and ensuring a fluid motion can help improve your swing. By incorporating these techniques and focusing on pulling your left buttock towards 7 o'clock during the downswing, you can achieve a more powerful and accurate golf swing.
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Frequently asked questions
Clearing your hips in a golf downswing can give you more clubhead speed, consistency, power generation, and accuracy in your shots.
One tip is to focus on your knees and legs. Lock your knees straight and try to jump up and twist—you won't be able to do it. To get your hips open, you need to bend your legs. Another tip is to slow your swing down and practice moving your body in the correct sequence: your hips should finish the backswing and initiate the downswing.
Some golfers have hips that look and feel locked up throughout their swing. This could be due to a lack of hip rotation capacity, low back pain, or a blocky technique.
Dustin Johnson has tremendous hip rotation that flows loosely through his swing, resulting in a full, open-faced hip angle towards his target when striking the ball.
Golfers who struggle with slicing should avoid clearing their hips. Clearing the hips delays the club in the downswing and opens up the club face at impact, which will negatively affect those who already slice the ball.
