Saturday, July 3, 2021

improve your hip power

 

Image

■ INSTRUCTION


From analyzing GOLFTEC data, we know that the best players move their hips toward the target at impact. Here's how you can, too.

JACK DEMPSEY

I’ve looked at swing data for GOLFTEC for the better part of two decades, giving us a great understanding of, among many things, what separates good players from those who constantly struggle with technique. One of the many data points we look at when analyzing swings is hip sway at the top of the backswing. It’s such a critical factor that often it’s the first thing we look at when diagnosing a new player’s improvement plan. 

Hip sway, in the most basic terms, is the difference between your hip position at the top of the backswing (closer or farther from the target) and its position at address. Trust me: Players hips always move one way or the other. 

justin thomas hits ball
This handy chart tells you when you should (and shouldn’t) go pin seeking
BY: NICK CLEARWATER, GOLFTEC VP OF INSTRUCTION

At GOLFTEC we’ve found that the best golfers move their hips slightly toward the target — roughly four inches — as they swing from address to the top. An easy way to work on this is to control how your lead knee flexes throughout your backswing. Tip: Don’t allow your lead knee to work away from the target. Instead, let it flex over your lead toe.

This drill should help. Place a golf bag just in front of your lead hip as you set up. Take the club to the top of your backswing while getting your lead hip to just graze the side of the bag (above). If you do this, you’ll produce just the right amount of hip sway and be a much more consistent ball striker. 

Nick Clearwater is the vice president of instruction at GOLFTEC in Denver, Colo.

All of our market picks are in





This drill will improve your hip power and make you a more consistent golfer

nick clearwater demonstrates drill

From analyzing GOLFTEC data, we know that the best players move their hips toward the target at impact. Here's how you can, too.

JACK DEMPSEY

I’ve looked at swing data for GOLFTEC for the better part of two decades, giving us a great understanding of, among many things, what separates good players from those who constantly struggle with technique. One of the many data points we look at when analyzing swings is hip sway at the top of the backswing. It’s such a critical factor that often it’s the first thing we look at when diagnosing a new player’s improvement plan. 

Hip sway, in the most basic terms, is the difference between your hip position at the top of the backswing (closer or farther from the target) and its position at address. Trust me: Players hips always move one way or the other. 

justin thomas hits ball
This handy chart tells you when you should (and shouldn’t) go pin seeking
BY: NICK CLEARWATER, GOLFTEC VP OF INSTRUCTION

At GOLFTEC we’ve found that the best golfers move their hips slightly toward the target — roughly four inches — as they swing from address to the top. An easy way to work on this is to control how your lead knee flexes throughout your backswing. Tip: Don’t allow your lead knee to work away from the target. Instead, let it flex over your lead toe.

This drill should help. Place a golf bag just in front of your lead hip as you set up. Take the club to the top of your backswing while getting your lead hip to just graze the side of the bag (above). If you do this, you’ll produce just the right amount of hip sway and be a much more consistent ball striker. 

Nick Clearwater is the vice president of instruction at GOLFTEC in Denver, Colo.

All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Swing Evaluation for GOLF.com Readers

Ready to jump in and start your GOLFTEC journey? Fill out this form to book a swing evaluation or club fitting! A local GOLFTEC coach will contact you to discuss your game and goals.
BOOK NOW
was uncovered showing. That the more a golfer's hips
Current Time 1:57
Duration 3:49
Loaded78.15%
 

Sponsored: GolfTEC SwingTRU Motion Study--Hip Sway (Through Impact)

Sponsored: GolfTEC SwingTRU Motion Study--Hip Sway (Through Impact)

key to putting

 




The biggest key to putting, according to a world-renowned short-game coach

inbee park putts

Inbee Park is among the many golfers Stan Utley has coached.

GETTY IMAGES

Stan Utley is known as one of the sharpest minds in golf when it comes to putting. He’s written a book on the skill — The Art of Putting — and he also owns the PGA Tour record for fewest putts over nine holes with six.

Now that his playing days are over, Utley’s career second act has been dedicated to teaching as he’s become a renowned coach in the game, particularly when it comes to putting. The list of pupils he’s coached includes Sergio GarciaInbee Park and, recently, Charles Barkley.

With Barkley playing in next week’s American Century Championship, Utley spoke with the media to field questions regarding his teaching philosophies and thoughts on the game. The most intriguing segment came when he shared some words on the keys to putting.


Current Time 0:20
Duration 0:58
Loaded100.00%
 

One of the best performance putting practice drills you need to start doing

Matt Killen talks through his 4 to 8 foot putting drill that will help improve your putting immediately

“The number one thing that I would share about hitting a putt is the stroke swing is on a pendulum that’s tilted,” Utley said. “You need to let the club swing freely from your arm joints. You don’t body move the 



Inbee Park is among the many golfers Stan Utley has coached.

GETTY IMAGES

Stan Utley is known as one of the sharpest minds in golf when it comes to putting. He’s written a book on the skill — The Art of Putting — and he also owns the PGA Tour record for fewest putts over nine holes with six.

Now that his playing days are over, Utley’s career second act has been dedicated to teaching as he’s become a renowned coach in the game, particularly when it comes to putting. The list of pupils he’s coached includes Sergio GarciaInbee Park and, recently, Charles Barkley.

With Barkley playing in next week’s American Century Championship, Utley spoke with the media to field questions regarding his teaching philosophies and thoughts on the game. The most intriguing segment came when he shared some words on the keys to putting.


“The number one thing that I would share about hitting a putt is the stroke swing is on a pendulum that’s tilted,” Utley said. “You need to let the club swing freely from your arm joints. You don’t body move the putter, in my opinion. You use your joints to swing the club in sequence.”


Current Time 0:58
Duration 0:58
Loaded100.00%
 

One of the best performance putting practice drills you need to start doing

Matt Killen talks through his 4 to 8 foot putting drill that will help improve your putting immediately



putter, in my opinion. You use your joints to swing the club in sequence.”

Utley continued saying that the putter needs the same amount of energy on the backswing and the follow through. However, because the ball is struck on the follow through, your stroke will be shorter than on the backswing.

“If you use the same energy back and through,” he said. “The ball will slow the club down and the follow through is going to be shorter.”

Another critical component to the stroke according to Utley is that your putter should never go on a straight line, because the club is hanging on a tilt. The only time the putterface should be square is at the moment of impact.

“It’s square to the arc and square to your intended line,” he said. “But that’s the only time it would be square.”

NEWSLETTER

Stay In Touch

Get your daily dose of news, instruction tips, and more.

GOLF.COM EDITOR

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF.com, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and is the staff’s self-appointed development tour “expert.”