Doubts about how to start the downswing pivot

[TeddyIrons]

Is it possible to hit pure golf shots while having the hips square to the target at impact? My guess is no, the hips must be open and the shoulders more square, otherwise it's flip city. However, getting my hips open is something that is alien to me. If I were to throw a ball I would first open my hips naturally before letting the arm unwind, but in a golf swing it's something that I have to work on. So this is what I've been working on - my first move on transition is to step on my left heel to open and clear my left hip before doing anything with my arms. This automatically seems to create the necessary axis tilt but I also have to be careful to not come OTT with this hip move, so I'm grooving a move where I clear my left hip but also send my right shoulder down towards the ball. With this single combined move I already find my hands/arms in a position to deliver the blow.

Am I on the right track? It doesn't feel like I'm rotating my hips, it feels like I'm opening them - not sure if that makes sense. The pivot on the downswing is a bit of a mystery to me, but I feel like it's the big factor in my next improvement in hitting better and more consistent shots.

 

[holeout]

Hey if it's working, then...

But seriously, try the drill Brian does in his 8th "Brian Manzella Show" on Youtube. The throwing the ball drill should help you, I would think.

 

[ej20]

Is it possible to hit pure golf shots while having the hips square to the target at impact? My guess is no, the hips must be open and the shoulders more square, otherwise it's flip city. However, getting my hips open is something that is alien to me. If I were to throw a ball I would first open my hips naturally before letting the arm unwind, but in a golf swing it's something that I have to work on. So this is what I've been working on - my first move on transition is to step on my left heel to open and clear my left hip before doing anything with my arms. This automatically seems to create the necessary axis tilt but I also have to be careful to not come OTT with this hip move, so I'm grooving a move where I clear my left hip but also send my right shoulder down towards the ball. With this single combined move I already find my hands/arms in a position to deliver the blow.

Am I on the right track? It doesn't feel like I'm rotating my hips, it feels like I'm opening them - not sure if that makes sense. The pivot on the downswing is a bit of a mystery to me, but I feel like it's the big factor in my next improvement in hitting better and more consistent shots.

I would say you are on the right track but you had better confirm that on video.

You want to get the hips open while maintaining the tushline.A very tricky move.This would be called clearing the hips as it would allow the right shoulder room to work down and through.

You don't want to open the hips with the right hip spinning forward.This would be spinning the hips and you would block the right shoulder from working down the correct path and you will end up OTT.

Almost every great player has got their hips significantly open at impact while maintaining the tushline or at least very close to the tushline.

However,it is still possible to play with little rotation and play very well.Brian Gay is an example.

 

[needham]

I like to spread my knees apart to start my downswing. which lets my hips do thier thing
Ben Doyle, used "pretend you have a small dog between your legs. As you go back, you squeeze the dog. When you start down, you "drop" the dog from between your legs, and through impact you catch the dog by it's tail"

 

[TeddyIrons]

Hey if it's working, then...
But seriously, try the drill Brian does in his 8th "Brian Manzella Show" on Youtube. The throwing the ball drill should help you, I would think.

Wow I'd forgotten about those videos! Great stuff - I've now got 1 hour to go back through all of them! Thanks for the video hint - in fact what Brian is showing there is exactly what I'm trying to do, and I do feel that kinetic chain effect by doing it.

I would say you are on the right track but you had better confirm that on video.

You want to get the hips open while maintaining the tushline.A very tricky move.This would be called clearing the hips as it would allow the right shoulder room to work down and through.

You don't want to open the hips with the right hip spinning forward.This would be spinning the hips and you would block the right shoulder from working down the correct path and you will end up OTT.

Almost every great player has got their hips significantly open at impact while maintaining the tushline or at least very close to the tushline.

However,it is still possible to play with little rotation and play very well.Brian Gay is an example.

You're right about the tushline - this is why I'm stepping on the left heel because it ensures I keep that tushline back and so prevents me thrusting at the ball with my hips. I'm going to have to video myself as you say to see how it looks.

I like to spread my knees apart to start my downswing. which lets my hips do thier thing
Ben Doyle, used "pretend you have a small dog between your legs. As you go back, you squeeze the dog. When you start down, you "drop" the dog from between your legs, and through impact you catch the dog by it's tail"

That's a great analogy thanks, and very useful. The move I'm making includes moving the left knee towards the target like this.

Thanks for all your replies guys.

 

[fronesis]

I like to spread my knees apart to start my downswing. which lets my hips do thier thing
Ben Doyle, used "pretend you have a small dog between your legs. As you go back, you squeeze the dog. When you start down, you "drop" the dog from between your legs, and through impact you catch the dog by it's tail"

Never heard the thing about the dog before - great stuff!

Although, I'm afraid if I was thinking this in my swing I'd completely miss the ball - I might be worried about harming the dog!