A very frustrating aspect of the game, and every golfer has battled with clearing the hips at some point in their career. You can feel it when it happens, and once the incorrect hip turn begins you are in trouble for the rest of the swing. During this section, I will cover some of the causes of an incorrect hip turn, and how to correct them.

I know there are tons of sites and articles out there that claim that one they have a cure all to everything, but I will cover what actually works for me and has made me successful throughout my career. Each move can be performed by golfers at any level, and will provide a quick fix to any issue.

The biggest problem that incorrect hip turn can cause, is the flaw it brings to the rest of the swing. For example, if your hips are getting behind your upper body (not turning fast enough), then you have to try and save the swing with your arms and hands… and the results are all over the place. You will see a shot that varies from a hook to a block, and comes with very poor contact.

This motion also feels very odd, and I can almost bet you that you have felt this in your swing before. To be honest, it feels absolutely awful, but it is time to fix it and I do have a few remedies that have helped me for so many years.

The first thing I want you to do is grab a bag of balls and keep all of your focus on your lower body. Hit some shots, and focus on keeping your hips, ensuring that you are actually clearing them throughout the golf shot. If you have to swing at half speed to ensure you can focus on your hips, then that is fine – take your time and work your way up to full power if you need to.

Don’t rush this portion because we can’t move to the next fix until you are comfortable with your hip turn. If you are still having issues with your hip turn, then it is time to focus on your front knee. The ideal way to move your front knee throughout the swing is as follows: You want your front knee to move just as your swing moves.

When you take the club back, your knee should be pointing behind the ball, and when you reach follow through your knee should be pointing towards the intended target line. This movement will take some time to get used to, so don’t expect this to be the fastest fix in the world. It takes quite some time to get this motion down, because it is such an odd thing to focus on, if you are not doing it correctly you can cause more harm than good. Grab a bag of balls and take to the range.

While hitting your full shots, keep your focus on the front knee and its movement throughout the swing. You don’t want to over compensate and have your knee moving everywhere, because this will cause your hips to follow. Simply focus on moving the knee as you move your upper body. Wherever your waist is pointing, your front knee should be pointing in the same direction.

If you are having issues with your hip turn, most of it does come down to simply focusing on the correct movements in your swing. If you are looking to gain power, and become a more consistent ball-striker throughout your entire bag, then you really need to focus on these drills.

Improper hip turn will cause you to lose distance and lack control of your golf shot. If you are not clearing your hips through impact, then you are going to have flawed results. Really invest the time in learning the two drills I have provided, and don’t move to the second drill until you have committed enough time to really be comfortable with drill number one. If you can apply the tips I have provided, you will see an improvement in your swing.

I do advise that you go into these drills with the mindset that this will not be an immediate fix. This correction does take some time and practice, but the results are going to be exactly what you expect. I will leave you with a challenge: Allow yourself two full weeks for this correction, with one week allotted for each drill. At the end of the two weeks, you can take to the course. During your first round back, I want you to take note of how far you are hitting the golf ball as well as where your misses are going. If you have applied the two drills correctly, you will see added distance and misses that are landing much closer to your intended target area.

Update:

1. Proper Sequencing: The key to clearing the hips in the golf swing is proper sequencing. Start the downswing by initiating the movement from the ground up. Shift your weight onto your front foot and rotate your hips open before your upper body starts its downswing.
2. Rotate the Hips Fully: To achieve maximum power and clubhead speed, make sure to rotate your hips fully through the impact zone. Allow your trail hip to turn towards the target, promoting a full extension of the hips.
3. Engage Your Core: Strengthen your core muscles to support and control the rotation of your hips during the swing. A strong core will help maintain stability and allow you to generate more power with your lower body.

Q&A on Clearing the Hips in the Golf Swing:

Q1: Why is clearing the hips important in the golf swing? A1: Clearing the hips allows you to create space for the clubhead to approach the ball from the inside, promoting a proper swing path and generating power.

Q2: How can I practice clearing my hips? A2: Practice drills that focus on the lower body rotation and weight transfer. Use training aids or work with a golf instructor to improve your hip movement.

Q3: Should I feel like I'm sliding or turning my hips during the downswing? A3: You should feel a combination of both. The hips should turn towards the target while also shifting weight onto the front foot, creating a rotational movement with some lateral movement.

Q4: What are common mistakes golfers make when trying to clear their hips? A4: Common mistakes include initiating the downswing with the upper body, not fully rotating the hips, or swaying laterally instead of rotating.

Q5: How can I prevent early hip extension? A5: Strengthening your glutes and hamstrings can help prevent early hip extension. Focus on maintaining your posture and not standing up too early during the downswing.

Q6: Can clearing the hips lead to a slice or hook? A6: Clearing the hips correctly helps promote an inside-to-out swing path, which reduces the chances of slicing. However, excessive hip rotation without proper control can lead to a hook.

Q7: Should I use my hips to generate power in the golf swing? A7: Yes, the lower body plays a significant role in generating power. Clearing the hips helps transfer energy from the ground to the clubhead, increasing clubhead speed.

Q8: How can I feel the proper hip movement in my swing? A8: Focus on your lower body during practice swings, exaggerating the feeling of rotation and weight transfer to ingrain the proper hip movement.

Q9: Should I clear my hips on every shot, including short game shots? A9: Yes, clearing the hips is essential for generating power and maintaining consistency on all shots, including short game shots.

Q10: Can tight hip flexors affect my ability to clear my hips? A10: Yes, tight hip flexors can restrict hip rotation. Regular stretching and mobility exercises can help improve hip flexibility.

Q11: Is it possible to over-rotate the hips in the golf swing? A11: Yes, over-rotation of the hips can lead to loss of balance and control. Focus on maintaining a balance between rotation and stability.

Q12: How can I improve my hip flexibility for a better golf swing? A12: Incorporate hip stretching exercises into your fitness routine to improve flexibility and mobility.

Q13: Can hip mobility affect my backswing? A13: Yes, limited hip mobility can restrict your backswing and lead to compensations in your swing.

Q14: Should I clear my hips faster for more distance? A14: Clearing the hips faster can generate more power, but it should be done in sync with the rest of your swing for proper timing and balance.

Q15: How can I ensure my hips are properly clearing in the swing? A15: Work with a golf instructor or use video analysis to assess your hip movement during the swing. They can provide feedback and drills to improve your hip clearance.