Stop Firing Your Hips in the Downswing and You Will Rip The Cover Off the Ball

Are you struggling with controlling your downswing and getting the proper power in your shots? A common misconception many golfers have is that firing the hips aggressively at the start of the downswing is the key to more distance. However, this approach often leads to issues with sequencing and results in weak, off-target shots. In this post, we’ll explore why over-firing your hips could be harming your game and offer tips on how to fix your downswing for more consistent power and control.

The Importance of Proper Hip Movement

When it comes to generating power in your downswing, understanding how the body, arms, and club should work together is crucial. For many golfers, the instinct is to fire the hips as quickly as possible to open up the body and create speed. However, this approach often causes the arms to get stuck behind the body, leading to poor contact and a lack of control over the shot.

Top players, on the other hand, create their power by utilizing proper sequencing. They focus on a smooth, controlled transition rather than rushing the hips. This allows their arms to load properly and get in sync with the body, resulting in a powerful strike at the ball. The key takeaway here is that the hips don’t need to "fire" aggressively at the beginning of the downswing. It’s about creating a sequence where everything moves in harmony.

The Right Way to Move Your Hips in the Downswing

To improve your downswing and avoid over-firing the hips, let’s break down the sequence of movements that lead to a more effective and powerful strike.

Maintain Proper Rotation in the Backswing

At the top of the swing, make sure you’ve achieved a proper rotation of the upper and lower body. Aim for about 90 degrees of rotation in the upper body and 45 degrees in the lower body. This rotation sets the stage for the downswing.

Lower Your Arms Before Firing the Hips

As you transition into the downswing, focus on allowing your arms to lower first, rather than immediately firing the hips. This creates space for the arms to move in front of your body, preventing them from getting stuck behind you. The goal is to allow the arms to “unload” naturally as the pressure shifts onto your front foot.

Avoid Over-Spinning the Hips

Many players believe that to generate power, they need to spin their hips aggressively. However, spinning the hips too quickly can cause you to lose control of your sequencing. Instead, focus on turning your body smoothly while keeping your hips square as you approach impact. Once your arms have lowered and you’ve shifted your weight correctly, the hips will open up naturally, without needing to fire aggressively.

Drills to Improve Your Downswing and Hip Sequence

If you’re struggling with over-firing your hips, these drills can help you build a better sequence and create more power in your shots.

1. Alignment Stick Drill

Setup: Take an alignment stick and place it through your belt loops, with the stick sticking out behind you. Hold your golf club as you would during a normal swing.

Execution: Perform your backswing, and as you reach the top, pay attention to how your hips and body move. Focus on ensuring that your arms lower naturally as you transition into the downswing. The alignment stick will give you a visual cue to keep your hips from spinning too quickly.

Tip: This drill helps create awareness of the proper sequencing and the importance of allowing the arms to move in front of the body. It also emphasizes the need for a smooth transition into the downswing.

2. Club Shaft Parallel Drill

Setup: Take a few practice swings and stop when your club shaft is parallel to the ground on the downswing.

Execution: As you reach this position, focus on ensuring that your hands are in front of your right thigh (for right-handed golfers). From this position, rotate your hips and torso through the ball, allowing your arms to extend naturally.

Tip: This drill is a great checkpoint to make sure your hands aren’t too high during the downswing. If your hands are too high, you’ll likely scoop at the ball instead of creating the proper strike. By focusing on getting the hands in front and then rotating, you can generate more consistent power.

The Right Sequence for More Power and Control

At the heart of the perfect downswing is proper sequencing. When you watch professional golfers, you’ll notice that they don’t fire their hips at full speed immediately. Instead, they create pressure in the ground, which allows their body to rotate naturally and smoothly.

One crucial concept is the point of application, which refers to where your weight is shifted during the downswing. Most amateurs make the mistake of shifting their weight to their heel, causing the backside to spin out of control. To fix this, focus on shifting the pressure to the ball of your front foot. This ensures a better sequence, allowing your arms to unload naturally and your body to rotate through the ball with power and precision.

Conclusion

If you’re over-firing your hips in the downswing, it’s time to rethink your approach. The key to more distance and consistency lies in mastering the sequencing of your body, arms, and club. By focusing on a smooth, controlled transition, you’ll allow your arms to move in front of your body, generating more power without sacrificing control. Remember, it’s not about firing the hips—it’s about the right timing and sequence that leads to a more efficient, powerful swing.

Start practicing these drills today, and you’ll see improvements in your ball striking and overall performance on the course.