Lateral Hip Movement

Swinging Looney

Hi there!

Just wanted to get some opinions on how much lateral hip movement is too much during the backswing. I have been working on my swing for the past couple of months and have been trying to correct the fairly major flaws. The first was a low strongly inside sweep of the club during the backsiwng which was leading to a over the top, outside-in path at impact. Hence my slice! I've solved that now and I am hitting the ball dead straight, although I still can't quite get the sought after draw!

The second flaw (IMO anyway) is quite a lot of lateral hip movement at the beginning of my backswing. My hips move a good 4 or 5 inches to the right a split second before I take the club back. I have tried to reduce the motion, but I instantly lose all consistency in my shots. Mostly, I end up slicing horribly with little power. Most of my power seems to come from the transfer of weight as I drive my hips into the ball at impact and towards the target, so it may be that the error is too ingrained to correct. For the moment then I will stick to what I know best.

So, is 4 or 5 inches too much movement? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

For info, with my hip sway, I can consistently achieve about 200 yards with my 5 iron which is quite respectable I think. So I wonder should I really be trying to correct something that seems to work so well!?

Adiaga 2

Swinging Looney wrote:

Hi there!

Just wanted to get some opinions on how much lateral hip movement is too much during the backswing. I have been working on my swing for the past couple of months and have been trying to correct the fairly major flaws. The first was a low strongly inside sweep of the club during the backsiwng which was leading to a over the top, outside-in path at impact. Hence my slice! I've solved that now and I am hitting the ball dead straight, although I still can't quite get the sought after draw!

The second flaw (IMO anyway) is quite a lot of lateral hip movement at the beginning of my backswing. My hips move a good 4 or 5 inches to the left a split second before I take the club back. I have tried to reduce the motion, but I instantly lose all consistency in my shots. Mostly, I end up slicing horribly with little power. Most of my power seems to come from the transfer of weight as I drive my hips into the ball at impact and towards the target, so it may be that the error is too ingrained to correct. For the moment then I will stick to what I know best.

So, is 4 or 5 inches too much movement? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

For info, with my hip sway, I can consistently achieve about 200 yards with my 5 iron which is quite respectable I think. So I wonder should I really be trying to correct something that seems to work so well!?

I think most people would say if you're hitting it dead straight and 200yds with your 5iron then leave it alone!!!

The hip movement thing before your takeaway sounds like it's your way of "triggering" the golf swing. You'll often see some players make a slight forward press with the hands - that's the same thing. Maybe you should try the forward press as a way of replacing the hip movement? Just a thought..

The way I achieve a draw is to close the clubface slightly, aim a little right and make my normal swing. This "usually" creates a nice right to left ball flight.

Swinging Looney

Thanks Adiaga,

I should clarify by saying the ball flight is predominantly straight albeit not necessarily at the target! That makes me feel that my alignment in a little inconsistent but at least the ball rarely slices or hooks.

Just to be sure my hips move to the right just before my backswing. I originally posted left but meant right!

I never really thought of the 'trigger' before. It's funny you mention it because when I tried to reduce the movement, my swing felt uncomfortable. Almost as though I was swinging but wasn't really prepared for it! Perhaps I should keep the trigger then...

madds

I also "sway" a little when my rhythm is out. I've found that if I pinch my knees together at address, with my weight favouring my right side, it helps to counteract the swaying motion.

Then my next thought is "big muscles", i.e. a wide shoulder movement which stops me from being too "handsy" in the back swing.

MisterAnarchy

Swinging Looney wrote:

I can consistently achieve about 200 yards with my 5 iron which is quite respectable I think. So I wonder should I really be trying to correct something that seems to work so well!?

Most pros dont hit a 5 iron that far.
Almost all amateur golfers overestimate their distances with all clubs.
In general, golfers overestimate the distance they drive the ball by 30 to 40 yards.

Swinging Looney

MisterAnarchy wrote:

Most pros dont hit a 5 iron that far.

Beg to differ.

wrote:

Almost all amateur golfers overestimate their distances with all clubs.
In general, golfers overestimate the distance they drive the ball by 30 to 40 yards.

Ah now there's no need to be like that. I've had my distances confirmed during club fittings, on the range and on the course. Unfortunately my scores aren't any good - my short game is nothing short of diabolical - but I have quite a high clubhead speed (5 iron average about 100-104 mph). My benchmarks for club selection are 8 iron - 150 yards, 5 iron - 195 yards, 3 iron - 220 yards. Those numbers are total distance including carry.

Other than that, thanks for your helpful input.

copacetic

MisterAnarchy wrote:

Most pros dont hit a 5 iron that far.
Almost all amateur golfers overestimate their distances with all clubs.
In general, golfers overestimate the distance they drive the ball by 30 to 40 yards.

yes they do, most pros hit it further and looneys distances aren't unusual, most people I play with hit it about the same distance as him. In fact he hits it pretty much exactly as far as I do..

Most people who are reasonably serious players know within a couple of yards how far they hit each club. When I stand up on a 200 yard par 3 on a still day I don't pick a 5 iron to look cool, I pick it because it will get there.

MisterAnarchy

Swinging Looney wrote:

Ah now there's no need to be like that. I've had my distances confirmed during club fittings, on the range and on the course. Unfortunately my scores aren't any good - my short game is nothing short of diabolical - but I have quite a high clubhead speed (5 iron average about 100-104 mph). My benchmarks for club selection are 8 iron - 150 yards, 5 iron - 195 yards, 3 iron - 220 yards. Those numbers are total distance including carry.

Other than that, thanks for your helpful input.

Fair enough you seem to be a long hitter but the fact still remains most amateur golfers overestimate how far they hit the ball .
Alot of the newer models of irons are delofted so that the player will hit an x iron further than his old x iron.
Its a marketing ploy.
Youd be surprised how much of a difference there is between some manufacturers.
This results in a large gap at the top of the iron range,i.e pw .
The average distance one hits a club is with an average shot,not a full out 100% effort.
Did you know that the average MALE golfer's drive is 192 yards ?
I'm not doubting your length.
I'm just sick of hearing about people who drive the ball miles >>300 yds and then when I play with them I easily outdrive them and I am not a long hitter by any means.
Sorry to digress .
Best of luck with your hip sway issue.

BillyBoy

If I feel I have too much movement in my swing I use a little drill to steady every thing. Take a few practice swing with your feet together (I usually use a 7 iron because the length of the shaft is just right). Too much movement in any direction will make it hard to keep your balance. It als makes me slow down my swing. I'm not sure if this will help you with your problem but it has helped me on the course many a time when I am moving too much with my swing, or trying to hit to hard. Best of luck the golf whatever you do!