News: Instruction
January 31 2012
10:12 am
Tip from Travis: How the hips work
Brandt Snedeker did it again, overcoming a big deficit to win another tournament on the PGA TOUR with his come-from-behind win in the Farmers Insurance Open. I must admit, I was cheering for my fellow Northwest native, Kyle Stanley. His triple-bogey on the 72nd hole was very difficult to watch.
Snedeker, on the other hand, has to be ecstatic in how his right hip has responded since his surgery towards the end of last year. The trail hip seems to be healthy where he is able to move it properly during the golf swing.
What’s important to understand about the trail hip is its movement during the backswing. The trail hip needs to allow for internal rotation so the golf club can work around the right leg during the backswing. With the golf swing moving in arc around the body, both the right and left hip need to have adequate rotation to keep the golf club moving on a good plane.
TRAVIS’ TIP
To get a feeling how the trail hip should work during the backswing, lay the pinky of the trail hand (supported by the hand) across the line of the hip joint located in the front portion of the leg. From here, turn your shoulders and hips and feel how your finger/hand will fall into the crease of the hip joint. This pinching sensation in the hip is how the trail hip should feel, producing the right amount of up and back. This sensation will feel as if the right hip is sitting back a bit with the glute muscle engaged.
Two of the most common errors during the backswing are where the trail hip will either sway away from the target or (for some) spin towards the target. To help manage this, place a shaft in the ground right next to the hip and focus on the correct movement as described above and notice how the hip stays right next to the shaft. At the TOUR Academies, we call this “hugging the post” and can serve as a great foundation to work from, resulting in more power and consistency.
Travis Fulton is the Director of Instruction at the TOUR Academies at TPC Sawgrass and the World Golf Village. For more information on the TOUR Academy, click here.
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I am hitting my wedges FAT. What is the probable cause of that vice?
Bob, you need to spend 30 mins with the PGA Pro at your club. Its a easy fix.
Will Borowski, PGA
The Club at Cimarron
956-739-0714
Are there any exercises to make the hips more flexible?
Bob, your left wrist is probably breaking down (cupping) at or before impact. When that happens the arc of the swing gets too wide, and so you hit the big ball before the little ball.
That’s the single biggest mistake in the swing; if you watch pros at impact their left wrist is straight or even bowed, with amateurs it’s the opposite.
Some tips I’ve heard to prevent it:
- hit into an impact bag
- aim to the target, but pretend you’re hitting a shot about 30 degrees to the right of the target
- take half swings and keep the wrist firm; try to keep the divot after where the ball would be.
- pull the handle toward the ball on the downswing to prevent “casting” the club at the top
- take a light swing and try to “stop” the ball into the ground rather than following through
- type “flying wedge drill” into google to see some videos.
Good Luck!
brandon , there are quite a few flexibility and mobility exercises at http://www.mypti.com Also know as titeleist performance institute.Best of luck!
Thanks Matt I appreciate the link.