Another often overlooked element of a golf swing is the rotation of your hips. As your body uncoils during your downswing, you will eventually be turning your upper body towards your target. However, many golfers turn their body too late after impact and this can result in a loss of power and accuracy. When the hips rotate toward the target, the body uncoils more quickly, which results in a
greater force being applied to the club when it impacts the ball.We will start from your body position when you are ready to begin your downswing. After you reach the ending position of your backswing, there is going to be a lateral shift of weight from your back foot to your front foot. This is the first action that sets your downswing in motion. As your club and arms drop back down towards the ball (often referred to as finding the SLOT), your hips are going to begin rotating towards the target. Do not wait until you hit the ball to shift your hips to the front. Rather, think of your hip movement as a necessary act to help bring your arms down towards the ball.
By rotating your hips aggressively on your downswing before impact you will maintain the built-up resistance between the lower and upper body from your backswing coil, thereby keeping the swing full of power. By the time the club impacts the ball, your hips should be completely open towards the target (with your eyes still locked on the ball, of course).
At impact, your belt buckle (or where your buckle would be if you don ’t wear one) should be facing just a little to the right of the target. This action is generally called clearing, because your hips are clearing the area and getting the lower body out of the way to make room for a good stroke by the upper body.
The golf swing has often been compared to a baseball swing, although this can be misleading as there are many aspects where they differ, such as the shifting of weight during the swing and the left elbow remaining straight in golf. However, the area where the golf swing is similar to a baseball swing is the turning of the hips.
Not only does the clearing of the hips open the upper body to have easier access to the ball, but the quick rotation of the hips BEFORE impact is a tremendous source of power. You can easily add 30+ yards on your driver, 20-30 yards on your hybrids, woods, and longer irons, and up to 15 yards further on your mid to short irons - all from a little hip movement.