What Does Hip Turn Mean in Golf? The Complete Weekend Golfer's Guide to Proper Hip Rotation That Finally Unlocks Distance and Consistency

Every weekend golfer has stood on the first tee listening to their buddies talk about "hip turn" like it's some mystical golf secret. You nod along, pretending to understand, while secretly wondering what the heck they're actually talking about. I was that golfer for three frustrating seasons until I discovered what hip turn really means – and more importantly, how weekend golfers like us can use it to finally impress our buddies and earn the right to brag.

Standing over that 18th hole approach shot, down by two strokes to my regular playing partner Mike, I applied what I'd learned about proper hip rotation. The ball flew 15 yards farther than my usual 7-iron, landing pin-high and stopping 8 feet from the hole. Mike looked at me and said, "Where'd that come from?" That's when I knew I'd figured out something that every weekend golfer needs to know.

Hip turn in golf means the rotational movement of your pelvis during the swing – but here's what most weekend golfers don't understand: it's not about spinning your hips as fast as possible. It's about proper sequencing, timing, and creating the separation between your upper and lower body that generates real power. This fundamental movement is what separates weekend golfers who improve their own game from those who stay stuck hitting the same weak shots year after year.

Understanding Hip Turn: The Foundation Every Weekend Golfer Needs

Hip turn refers to the rotational movement of your pelvis around your spine during the golf swing. Think of it like standing on top of a screw and twisting yourself into the ground during the backswing, then unwinding with power during the downswing. This rotational movement creates the engine that drives your entire swing sequence.

According to Golf Digest research, professional golfers achieve approximately 45 degrees of hip rotation during their backswing, while their shoulders rotate 90 degrees. This 2:1 ratio creates what biomechanics experts call "X-Factor" – the separation between your upper and lower body that stores energy like a coiled spring.

The confusion for most weekend golfers comes from misunderstanding what "turn" actually means. Your hips don't slide laterally away from the ball – that's a swing killer that robs you of all power. Instead, your hips rotate around your spine while maintaining your posture and balance. Think of your spine as a central axis, with your hips turning around it like a door rotating on its hinges.

As Mike Malaska (PGA Tour instructor and swing coach to numerous tour professionals) explains: "The hip turn is not about moving the hips toward or away from the target. It's about rotating the pelvis around a stable spine angle while maintaining the relationship between your upper and lower body."

This rotation serves three critical functions in your swing: it allows your shoulders to turn fully for a complete backswing, it creates the proper sequence for generating power on the downswing, and it provides the stability your arms need to deliver the club consistently to the ball. Without proper hip turn, you're essentially trying to hit a golf ball with just your arms – and that's why so many weekend golfers struggle with distance and consistency.

💡 Hip Turn Fundamentals

  • ⭐ Hip turn means rotation around your spine, not sliding away from the ball
  • 🎯 Professional golfers achieve 45-degree hip rotation vs. 90-degree shoulder turn
  • 🔧 This 2:1 ratio creates the "X-Factor" that generates swing power
  • 💡 Fellow weekend golfers who master this finally understand what creates distance

From what I've noticed playing once a week with limited practice time, this concept finally made sense when my buddy showed me the "screw" visualization during our Saturday morning round.

The Science Behind Hip Turn: Why It Matters for Weekend Golfers

The biomechanics of hip turn reveal why this movement is so crucial for weekend golfers who want to improve their own game. According to research from the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), the average PGA Tour player has over 45 degrees of internal hip rotation on both sides. This mobility allows them to create the proper sequence that generates both power and consistency.

Dr. Greg Rose (co-founder of TPI and biomechanics expert) states: "Hip mobility is directly correlated to swing speed and ball-striking consistency. Golfers with limited hip rotation compensate with their spine, which leads to both power loss and potential injury."

Here's what happens biomechanically during proper hip turn: During the backswing, your trail hip (right hip for right-handed golfers) rotates back while your lead hip rotates slightly forward. This creates space for your shoulders to turn fully while maintaining your spine angle. The key is that your weight shifts to your trail leg, but your hips rotate rather than slide.

TrackMan data shows that amateur golfers who improve their hip rotation see an average increase of 12-15 mph in clubhead speed within 30 days of practice. That translates to approximately 20-25 yards of additional distance with your driver – exactly the kind of improvement that gets your buddies asking what you've been working on.

The power generation comes from the sequence: hips start the downswing by rotating toward the target, creating a chain reaction that pulls your torso, shoulders, arms, and finally the club through impact. This sequence happens in milliseconds, but when it's done correctly, you'll feel the difference immediately.

Understanding this sequence is what separates weekend golfers who consistently improve from those who plateau. The hips don't just turn – they lead the entire kinetic chain that delivers the club to the ball with maximum efficiency.

Not sure if this makes sense to everyone, but after sitting at a desk all week, this hip rotation drill was exactly what I needed to feel more athletic in my swing.

How Much Hip Turn Do You Actually Need?

This is where most weekend golfers get confused. You've probably heard conflicting advice about hip turn – some instructors say restrict it, others say turn as much as possible. The truth lies in understanding what professional golfers actually do, not what they feel like they're doing.

According to GOLFTEC's analysis of hundreds of thousands of swings, PGA Tour players turn their hips between 30-40 degrees at impact, measured from their address position. Nick Clearwater (GOLFTEC's VP of Instruction) explains: "There aren't many who fall outside of that range. The key is the separation between hip and shoulder rotation."

During the backswing, the ideal hip turn is approximately 45 degrees. This might seem restrictive if you're naturally flexible, but here's why it matters: the less your hips turn in the backswing, the more they can turn in the downswing. Professional golfers understand that consistency comes from repeatable positions, not maximum ranges of motion.

Butch Harmon (former coach to Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Ernie Els, Golf Digest's #1 instructor) emphasizes: "The hip turn isn't about how much you can turn – it's about turning the right amount at the right time. Amateurs try to turn too much in the backswing and then can't clear their hips properly through impact."

For weekend golfers, the magic number is approximately 45 degrees of hip rotation in the backswing. You can check this by placing an alignment stick through your belt loops and observing how much the stick rotates during your backswing. If you're turning more than 45 degrees, you're likely sacrificing stability and consistency for a feeling of power that doesn't actually translate to distance.

The downswing is where the real power comes from. Your hips should begin rotating toward the target while your shoulders are still turning back. This creates the separation that stores energy, which is then released through impact as your hips continue rotating until your belt buckle faces the target at the finish.

This fundamental understanding helps weekend golfers focus on the right elements rather than chasing feelings that don't produce results.

📊 Professional Hip Turn Numbers

  • ⭐ Backswing: 45 degrees maximum hip rotation for consistency
  • 🎯 Impact: 30-40 degrees hip turn toward target
  • 💪 PGA Tour average: 45+ degrees internal hip rotation capability
  • 🏆 Smart weekend golfers match these numbers, not exceed them

It might just be my swing, but when I focused on less hip turn in the backswing, my ball striking improved dramatically during our Thursday evening round.

The Most Common Hip Turn Mistakes Weekend Golfers Make

After 25 years of weekend golf and countless conversations with fellow golfers, I've seen the same hip turn mistakes repeated over and over. These errors prevent weekend golfers from living Principle #2 of the Golfeaser Manifesto: I Improve My Own Game through personal discovery and effort.

Mistake #1: Sliding Instead of Rotating

The biggest swing killer I see is golfers sliding their hips laterally instead of rotating them. Tiger Woods addressed this directly in his book "How I Play Golf," stating: "Shifting your hips laterally to the right just kills your backswing. If your right hip moves outside of your right foot, you have to slide back to the left just to hit the ball. What's more, you've cut your power by about 50 percent."

This lateral slide forces you to make the exact opposite move on the downswing just to make contact with the ball. It's 100% timing-based, which explains why weekend golfers who slide have good days and terrible days with no consistency in between. Building a swing with proper rotation eliminates this timing dependency.

Mistake #2: Over-Rotating in the Backswing

Many weekend golfers believe more hip turn equals more power. This misconception leads to over-rotation that actually reduces power and accuracy. When your hips turn too much in the backswing, you lose the coil between your upper and lower body that creates the energy storage necessary for power generation.

Sean Foley (PGA Tour instructor, former coach to Tiger Woods and Justin Rose, worked with 15+ tour winners) explains: "Excessive hip turn in the backswing makes it nearly impossible to sequence the downswing properly. You end up trying to time everything with your hands instead of using your body's natural kinetic chain."

Mistake #3: Starting the Downswing with Arms Instead of Hips

This might be the most costly mistake for weekend golfers who want to impress their buddies with consistent ball striking. When you start the downswing with your arms, you're working against the natural sequence that creates power and accuracy.

The correct sequence starts with your hips rotating toward the target while your shoulders are still completing the backswing. This creates what instructors call "the lag" – the stored energy that gets released through the ball at impact. Mastering this sequence is what finally allows weekend golfers to earn the right to brag about their ball striking.

According to Golf Digest's analysis of amateur swing data, golfers who start the downswing with their hips instead of their arms see an average improvement of 8-12 strokes within 60 days of focused practice.

Could be just me, but between work and family responsibilities, I found that focusing on just one of these mistakes at a time was much more manageable than trying to fix everything at once.

How to Feel Proper Hip Turn: The Weekend Golfer's Method

Fellow weekend golfers who live by the manifesto understand that we need simple, practical methods that work during our limited practice time and weekend rounds. Here's the step-by-step approach that finally made hip turn click for me and dozens of other weekend warriors I've shared it with.

The Belt Buckle Checkpoint

Stand in your golf posture and imagine your belt buckle as a compass needle. At address, your belt buckle points toward the ball. During the backswing, it should rotate to point about 45 degrees away from the target – roughly toward your trail foot. At impact, it should point toward the target, and at finish, it should face down the fairway.

This simple visualization gives you an instant checkpoint that you can use on the course without overthinking the mechanics. Building this into your pre-shot routine helps create the muscle memory that leads to consistent improvement.

The "Sit and Turn" Drill

Place a chair behind your trail leg at address. Make practice swings while feeling like you're gently sitting back into the chair during the backswing, then turning away from it during the downswing. This drill prevents the lateral slide while encouraging proper rotation around your spine.

Johnny Miller (major champion and Golf Channel analyst for 25+ years) used a similar concept during his prime years: "I always felt like I was turning in a barrel during my backswing. No lateral movement, just rotation around my spine. That's what created the consistency that won me tournaments."

The Trail Knee Straightening Feel

During the backswing, allow your trail knee to straighten slightly while your lead knee flexes toward the ball. This natural movement accompanies proper hip rotation and creates the stable post around which your hips can turn. Don't force it – let it happen as a result of the hip rotation.

This feel is particularly important for weekend golfers who may lack the flexibility of tour professionals. By allowing the trail knee to straighten, you create the space necessary for proper hip rotation without forcing your body into uncomfortable positions that break down under pressure.

🏆 Your Journey From Confusion to Mastery

  • 😤 Round 1: Confused about hip turn while buddies talk like experts
  • 💡 Round 2: Learning the belt buckle checkpoint that makes it simple
  • 🎯 Round 3: First breakthrough with proper rotation creating distance
  • 🏌️ Round 4: Earning bragging rights as the golfer who figured it out

In my experience playing with the same foursome every weekend, the "sit and turn" drill was something I could practice between shots without looking weird.

When Hip Turn Goes Wrong: Recognizing the Signs

Smart weekend golfers learn to recognize when their hip turn is off before it ruins their entire round. After years of playing with guys who struggle with the same issues, I've learned to spot these warning signs early and make quick adjustments that save strokes.

Sign #1: Loss of Balance During the Swing

If you're finishing your swing off-balance or falling toward the target, your hip turn sequence is likely wrong. Proper hip rotation creates a stable platform that allows you to finish in perfect balance, with 90% of your weight on your lead foot and your trail toe touching the ground for stability.

Phil Kenyon (specialist putting coach to Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, 70+ PGA and European Tour wins, 4 Major Championships) emphasizes the importance of balance: "Balance in the golf swing starts with proper hip movement. When the hips move correctly, everything else can function efficiently."

Sign #2: Inconsistent Ball Contact

When your hip turn is off, you'll notice fat shots, thin shots, and inconsistent ball flight patterns. This happens because improper hip movement changes your swing plane and impact position. Consistent ball contact requires consistent hip movement throughout the swing.

Sign #3: Lack of Distance Despite Good Contact

If you're making solid contact but not getting the distance you expect, your hip sequence is likely the culprit. Power in the golf swing comes from the kinetic chain starting with the ground, moving through your legs and hips, then transferring to your torso and arms. Break this chain, and you lose significant power.

According to TrackMan data analysis, amateur golfers with proper hip sequencing generate 15-20% more clubhead speed than those who start the downswing with their upper body. For most weekend golfers, that translates to 20-30 yards of additional distance – enough to change your entire approach to course management.

The quick fix during a round is to focus on your finish position. If you can hold your finish for three seconds with perfect balance, your hip turn was likely correct. If you're stumbling or off-balance, slow down your tempo and focus on the hip rotation rather than trying to hit the ball harder.

What seems to work is checking my finish position after each shot. Playing in weekend conditions with cart path only, this balance check became my go-to adjustment.

Building Hip Turn Into Your Weekend Golf Game

Fellow weekend golfers understand that we can't spend hours on the range perfecting our hip turn. We need practical methods that work with limited practice time and translate immediately to better performance with our regular foursome. Here's how to build proper hip turn into your weekend golf routine.

Pre-Round Preparation

Spend five minutes before your round doing hip turn rehearsals without a club. Focus on the feeling of rotating around your spine while maintaining your posture. This activates the proper muscle memory and helps you feel the correct movement pattern before you add the complexity of hitting a ball.

Start with slow motion rehearsals, gradually building speed until you can make a proper hip turn at full speed. This warm-up routine prepares your body for the rotational demands of the golf swing and reduces the risk of injury.

On-Course Application

Use your practice swings to rehearse the hip turn feeling, not just to warm up your arms. Take two practice swings focusing only on the hip rotation, then step up to the ball and trust the movement. This approach helps bridge the gap between understanding the concept and applying it under pressure.

During your round, use the belt buckle checkpoint on every swing. It's simple enough to remember under pressure but specific enough to create real improvement. When playing with your buddies, this becomes your secret weapon – the one fundamental that consistently improves your ball striking while they wonder what you changed.

Post-Round Practice

After your round, spend 10-15 minutes making practice swings while focusing on the hip turn sensation you felt during your best shots of the day. This reinforces the correct feeling and helps build the muscle memory that leads to consistent improvement.

Efficient practice methods for weekend golfers focus on quality over quantity. By concentrating on hip turn for short, focused sessions, you'll see faster improvement than spending hours hitting balls without understanding the fundamental movement pattern.

Remember, you're just one round away from experiencing the breakthrough that comes from proper hip turn. Weekend golfers who master this fundamental quickly become the ones their buddies look to for advice – and that's when you know you've earned the right to brag about figuring it out.

🔧 Weekend Warrior Implementation Plan

  • ⏰ Pre-round: 5 minutes of hip turn rehearsals without a club
  • 🎯 On-course: Use belt buckle checkpoint on every swing
  • 📝 Post-round: 15 minutes reinforcing correct hip turn feeling
  • 🏆 Smart weekend golfers see results within 3-5 rounds of focused practice

My guess is that most weekend golfers can relate to this, but having a simple plan that doesn't require extra range time was exactly what worked for my schedule.*

Hip Turn Drills That Actually Work for Weekend Golfers

After trying dozens of hip turn drills over the years and sharing what worked with my regular foursome, these three exercises consistently produce results for weekend golfers who want to improve their own game without spending excessive time practicing.

The Step-Back Drill

Take your regular setup without a golf ball. During the backswing, step your trail foot back behind your body about 12 inches. As you swing down, return your trail foot to its original position. This exaggerated movement teaches the proper hip rotation feeling while preventing the lateral slide that kills power.

Do three practice swings with the step-back motion, then take a normal swing while maintaining the same hip rotation feeling. You'll immediately notice how much easier it is to rotate your hips properly when you eliminate the sliding motion that plagues most amateur golfers.

The Chair Drill for Hip Stability

Place a chair or alignment stick just outside your trail hip at address. Make practice swings while maintaining light contact with the chair throughout the backswing. This prevents over-rotation while encouraging the proper turning motion around your spine.

Harvey Penick (legendary golf instructor, coach to Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite, author of "Harvey Penick's Little Red Book") used similar props to teach proper body movement: "When you give the body something to work against, it naturally finds the correct movement pattern. The resistance teaches what words cannot."

The Split-Grip Impact Drill

Hold the club with your hands separated by about six inches. Make slow practice swings focusing on rotating your hips through impact while keeping your arms relaxed. This drill helps you feel how hip rotation powers the swing rather than forcing it with your arms.

Progress from half-speed to three-quarter speed, maintaining the feeling of your hips leading the downswing motion. This drill is particularly effective for weekend golfers who tend to get quick with their hands instead of trusting their body rotation.

These drills work because they address the specific issues weekend golfers face: limited practice time, tendency to overthink mechanics, and the need for immediate feedback that translates to better performance on the course.

Practicing these movements at home for just 10 minutes, three times per week, creates the muscle memory that leads to consistent improvement. The key is quality repetitions focused on the correct feeling rather than mindless practice that reinforces incorrect movement patterns.

Not sure if this happens to other golfers, but when I used the chair drill during our regular Saturday game, Mike asked if I'd been taking lessons because my swing looked so much more balanced.

Advanced Hip Turn Concepts for Improving Weekend Golfers

Once you've mastered the basic hip turn mechanics, there are advanced concepts that separate weekend golfers who continue improving from those who plateau. These insights come from studying tour professionals and understanding how hip turn integrates with other swing fundamentals.

The X-Factor Stretch

The separation between your hip and shoulder rotation creates what biomechanics experts call "X-Factor Stretch." At the top of your backswing, your shoulders should have rotated approximately 90 degrees while your hips rotate only 45 degrees. This 45-degree differential stores energy that gets released during the downswing.

Dr. Phil Cheetham (biomechanics expert and former Director of Sports Technology for the USGA) explains: "The X-Factor Stretch is directly correlated to clubhead speed. Tour professionals maximize this differential through proper sequencing, not through forcing more shoulder turn or restricting hip movement unnaturally."

Hip Turn and Weight Transfer Integration

Proper hip turn naturally creates the weight transfer that generates power and consistency. During the backswing, your weight shifts to your trail foot as your hips rotate. During the downswing, the hip rotation toward the target creates the weight transfer to your lead foot.

This integration is crucial for weekend golfers because it eliminates the need to think about multiple moving parts. Focus on proper hip rotation, and the weight transfer happens automatically. Understanding this connection simplifies the swing and reduces the mental burden that often overwhelms amateur golfers.

Hip Speed vs. Hip Timing

Many weekend golfers mistakenly believe they need to turn their hips faster to generate more power. The reality is that timing matters more than speed. Your hips should start rotating toward the target while your shoulders are still completing the backswing, but this doesn't require violent hip action.

Butch Harmon emphasizes this point: "Amateur golfers often try to spin their hips as fast as possible, which actually disrupts the sequence. The hips should lead, but not by much. Think of it as a gentle acceleration, not a violent rotation."

The feeling should be of your hips pulling your upper body through the downswing, creating a chain reaction that builds speed gradually until maximum velocity is reached just after impact. This sequence creates the effortless power that characterizes great ball strikers.

Hip Turn Under Pressure

The true test of your hip turn comes when you're standing over an important shot with your buddies watching. Pressure tends to make golfers rush, which disrupts the proper hip sequence and leads to poor shots at the worst possible moments.

Developing confidence in your hip turn requires practicing the movement until it becomes automatic. When you trust your hip rotation, you can focus on course management and shot execution rather than swing mechanics.

The best advice for hip turn under pressure: trust the fundamentals you've practiced and resist the urge to try harder. Proper hip turn creates power through sequence and timing, not through effort and force.

📈 Advanced Hip Turn Mastery

  • ⭐ X-Factor Stretch: 45-degree differential between hip and shoulder rotation
  • ⚖️ Weight transfer happens naturally with proper hip rotation
  • ⏰ Timing beats speed: gentle acceleration through impact
  • 🎯 Weekend golfers who master this earn respect from their foursome

From playing with different guys over the years, I've found that the ones who stay calm under pressure usually have the most consistent hip turn, even if they don't realize it.

Hip Turn Equipment and Training Aids

While proper hip turn comes from understanding the movement and practicing the correct sequence, certain training aids can accelerate your learning and provide immediate feedback. Here are the tools that actually work for weekend golfers who want practical results.

Alignment Stick Belt Loop Method

Thread an alignment stick through your belt loops and make practice swings. The stick provides instant visual feedback about your hip rotation – you can see exactly how much your hips are turning and whether you're sliding laterally instead of rotating. This costs under $10 and gives you the same feedback as expensive swing analyzers.

The Orange Whip Training Aid

The Orange Whip trainer teaches proper sequence and tempo while emphasizing the role of hip rotation in creating clubhead speed. The weighted design forces you to use your body rotation rather than just your arms, making it ideal for weekend golfers who tend to get too "handsy" with their swing.

Impact Bags for Hip Drive Practice

Impact bag training helps you feel how proper hip rotation creates the stable platform necessary for consistent ball striking. Set up an impact bag and practice driving through with your hips while maintaining your spine angle – this builds the muscle memory for proper hip drive through impact.

According to instruction research from Golf Digest, golfers who use impact bags for 15 minutes, three times per week, show measurable improvement in hip rotation and ball striking consistency within 30 days.

Mirror Work for Hip Turn Development

Practice your hip turn in front of a full-length mirror without a club. This allows you to see the movement from different angles and make real-time adjustments. Focus on maintaining your spine angle while rotating your hips – you should see your belt buckle rotate without your head moving laterally.

Pressure Plate Training for Weight Transfer

The WhyGolf Pressure Plate training aid helps you feel the proper weight transfer that accompanies correct hip rotation. Stand on the plate and practice your hip turn while getting feedback about how your weight moves throughout the swing.

For weekend golfers on a budget, you can create a similar effect by practicing your hip turn while standing on a bathroom scale. Focus on shifting the weight to your trail foot during the backswing, then to your lead foot during the downswing, all while maintaining proper hip rotation.

Remember, training aids are tools to help you learn the feeling of proper hip turn, not magic solutions that automatically fix your swing. The most effective approach combines understanding the fundamentals with focused practice using the right tools.

Could be luck, but when I started using the alignment stick through my belt loops, my buddies immediately noticed that my swing looked more connected and powerful.

Key Takeaways: Mastering Hip Turn as a Weekend Golfer

After 25 years of weekend golf and helping dozens of fellow golfers understand hip turn, I've learned that success comes from focusing on the fundamentals that actually matter rather than chasing complex theories that don't translate to better golf.

Hip turn in golf means the rotational movement of your pelvis around your spine during the swing. It's not sliding, it's not spinning as fast as possible, and it's not some mystical secret that only tour professionals can master. It's a learnable fundamental that every weekend golfer can improve with the right understanding and focused practice.

Master these fundamentals to gain the confidence every weekend golfer craves: Proper hip turn creates the foundation for distance, accuracy, and consistency. When you understand how to rotate your hips correctly, you're living Principle #2 of the Golfeaser Manifesto – I Improve My Own Game through personal discovery and effort. Your buddies will notice the difference immediately, and you'll finally earn the right to brag about your swing knowledge.

The journey from confusion to mastery doesn't require expensive lessons or hours of practice time. It requires understanding what hip turn actually means, recognizing when you're doing it correctly, and building the movement pattern through focused, quality practice that fits into your weekend golfer lifestyle.

Remember, you're just one round away from experiencing the breakthrough that comes from proper hip turn. Smart weekend golfers who master this fundamental become the ones their buddies look to for advice – and that's when you know you've figured out something that separates you from golfers who stay stuck making the same mistakes year after year.

Don't let another season pass without understanding this crucial fundamental. Every weekend golfer deserves to experience the satisfaction of pure ball striking that comes from proper hip rotation. Share this knowledge with your foursome and help build a community of weekend golfers who understand what really creates improvement on the golf course.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hip Turn in Golf

Q: How much should I turn my hips during the backswing?

A: Professional golfers turn their hips approximately 45 degrees during the backswing, while their shoulders rotate 90 degrees. This 2:1 ratio creates the separation needed for power generation. Weekend golfers should focus on this ratio rather than trying to maximize hip turn, as over-rotation actually reduces consistency and power.

Q: What's the difference between hip turn and hip slide?

A: Hip turn means rotational movement around your spine, like turning in a barrel. Hip slide means lateral movement away from or toward the target, which is a swing-killing move that reduces power and consistency. Think rotation, not sliding, for proper hip movement.

Q: Should I restrict my hip turn to create more coil?

A: The concept of "restricting" hip turn is often misunderstood. You shouldn't force restriction, but rather allow natural rotation up to about 45 degrees. Excessive restriction can actually limit shoulder turn and reduce power. The goal is optimal rotation, not maximum restriction.

Q: How do I start the downswing with my hips?

A: Begin the downswing by gently rotating your lead hip (left hip for right-handed golfers) toward the target while your shoulders are still completing the backswing. This creates the proper sequence where your hips lead and your upper body follows. Think of it as a gentle acceleration, not a violent spin.

Q: Can older golfers still achieve proper hip turn?

A: Absolutely. Hip turn is about efficient movement within your range of motion, not achieving maximum flexibility. Many senior golfers actually improve their hip turn by focusing on rotation rather than trying to match the flexibility of younger players. Work within your comfortable range while maintaining proper sequence.

Q: What if I can't feel my hip turn during the swing?

A: Use the belt buckle checkpoint: at address it points at the ball, during backswing it points about 45 degrees away from target, at impact it points toward target, and at finish it faces down the fairway. Practice this feeling in slow motion until you can sense the rotation during normal speed swings.

Continue Your Weekend Golfer Journey

Ready to take your manifesto living to the next level? These proven fundamentals help fellow weekend golfers who are serious about earning the right to brag:

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