Golf Myths – Myth #1 Turning Your Hips

In this series of articles we take a look at common myths in golf. There are a couple of topics that are being seen by some people as common knowledge but which are in fact not really seen the same way by everyone.

I want to make clear that most things in golf and golf swing technique are actually relative.

The first aspect we take a look at is the hip turn. If you hear some people talk about their swing you get the feeling there isn’t anything more important in a golf swing than turning your hips as far and as fast as possible. [clearboth]

Myth #1 – You have to turn your hips more?

There are several reasons why we hear so much about turning the hips. One of the reasons is that most professional golfers are fighting a hook.

For them it’s essential to turn their hips as early and as fast as possible to keep their hands and club back during their down swing.

If you take a look at Ben Hogan for example. He was one of the players who (not only in his book) preached all the time the importance of the hip turn.

Well, the hip turn itself is a good thing. It’s just the question how you do it and if you do it the right way for your swing. E.g. a fast hip turn in the down swing won’t help fixing a slice.

Another thing many people think is that if they turn their hips more they come more from the inside.

That’s most often not the case because most people turn their shoulders with their hips which usually leads to a steeper swing from the top.

So before you try to turn you hips like the professional players do, you have to think if this does your own swing any good.

Most players who are struggling with accuracy benefit from less hip turn and a swing that comes more from the arms.

That may not look as good as a professional swing but hits more fairways in the end.