Setting The Stage In The Perfect Backswing (Video) - by Pete Styles
Setting The Stage In The Perfect Backswing (Video) - by Pete Styles

So we’ve now established how important the hip rotation is in the golf swing. But it's important we now understand how the backswing can help us get the hips in the right position to unload into the downswing. So in the address position we've got the hips pretty square with the knees and the shoulders pointing at target. Then in the backswing as with turning to the right, the upper body turns to the right. The hips are going to turn to the right to some degree as well. But it's very important at this point that we load the power into the right leg for the right handed golfer.

Then we've got the power to use on the downswing. What we wouldn't want to have is a turn to the right and then feel actually, I'm no better off here. I've got no power. So one of the key elements here is going to be maintaining some flex in the right knee. So as we turn back, we’d want to retain some flex. A small straightening of the knee is going to be acceptable depending on the level of flexibility. But if that right knee was to lock out fully straight, I would have some problems with that. Because I think from this position, it's very difficult really to shift yourself forwards. It's like if you had a running race, you wouldn't lock your right knee out and then try and run. There would be nothing to give. You’ll have a flexed right knee and you would push off. So consider during the backswing that you maintain some flex and pressure in that right knee. The next issue to consider in that backswing setting the stage if you like for your downswing is that from the good address position this way around is that we don't drift to the right hand side too much. If I sway to my right hand side as a right handed golfer, I get to here. My body weight becomes very much on my little toe. And again it's difficult to push off and get going forwards from here. So I’ll generally feel that I’ve swayed and I’ve topped the ball or hit the ground before the ball. I'd like to keep pressure on the inside of my rear leg, then I can drive forwards a lot more. And one other area for you to focus on during that backswing phase is just making sure you take your time. You’ll generally find that winding your hips up and creating a lot of power to then unleash the power takes a little bit more time. And in fact if you were to just swing with your hands and your arms, that might be a very quick swing. So hitting with the hands and arms is quite quick, but you really don't establish a good enough rotational force from your hips. So let's go ahead and take plenty of time to load up to the top, pressure on the instep, no swaying. Then we can start to drive forwards in the downswing. So that's how you set the stage for perfect hip rotation in your backswing. 2016-07-15

So we’ve now established how important the hip rotation is in the golf swing. But it's important we now understand how the backswing can help us get the hips in the right position to unload into the downswing. So in the address position we've got the hips pretty square with the knees and the shoulders pointing at target. Then in the backswing as with turning to the right, the upper body turns to the right. The hips are going to turn to the right to some degree as well. But it's very important at this point that we load the power into the right leg for the right handed golfer.

Then we've got the power to use on the downswing. What we wouldn't want to have is a turn to the right and then feel actually, I'm no better off here. I've got no power. So one of the key elements here is going to be maintaining some flex in the right knee. So as we turn back, we’d want to retain some flex. A small straightening of the knee is going to be acceptable depending on the level of flexibility. But if that right knee was to lock out fully straight, I would have some problems with that. Because I think from this position, it's very difficult really to shift yourself forwards.

It's like if you had a running race, you wouldn't lock your right knee out and then try and run. There would be nothing to give. You’ll have a flexed right knee and you would push off. So consider during the backswing that you maintain some flex and pressure in that right knee. The next issue to consider in that backswing setting the stage if you like for your downswing is that from the good address position this way around is that we don't drift to the right hand side too much. If I sway to my right hand side as a right handed golfer, I get to here. My body weight becomes very much on my little toe.

And again it's difficult to push off and get going forwards from here. So I’ll generally feel that I’ve swayed and I’ve topped the ball or hit the ground before the ball. I'd like to keep pressure on the inside of my rear leg, then I can drive forwards a lot more. And one other area for you to focus on during that backswing phase is just making sure you take your time. You’ll generally find that winding your hips up and creating a lot of power to then unleash the power takes a little bit more time. And in fact if you were to just swing with your hands and your arms, that might be a very quick swing.

So hitting with the hands and arms is quite quick, but you really don't establish a good enough rotational force from your hips. So let's go ahead and take plenty of time to load up to the top, pressure on the instep, no swaying. Then we can start to drive forwards in the downswing. So that's how you set the stage for perfect hip rotation in your backswing.