Hip-To-Square - This Drill Will Help

Hip-to-square means the leading hip helps create a feeling of turning through the impact position on the downswing, so that the club face is square when the club makes contact with the ball. During my teaching and playing golf, I have seen golfers flipping their hands at impact to get the club face square. This is not a terrible move, but very inconsistent. 

It is important to have your lower body lead the downswing. This move will create a reduction of flipping of your hands, allowing you to compress the ball and hit straighter and consistent golf shots. 

I created a drill that you can do to help you feel the lower body lead the downswing. It feels like a small pitch shot. Turning your lead hip into the shot at impact will create a square club face with solid ball contact. 

Now, with your feet close together, the ball center of stance, and one hand, choke down to the bottom of the grip. Put your lead hand on the inside portion of your lead hip, swing the club to waist height with your back hand, and start the downswing by turning your lead hip first to the ball. 

Feel the clubface being squared at impact with your hip. Yes, your lead hip and club face should feel they are working together to hit the shot with a square club face. Leading with the lower body on the downswing will help make your weight go toward the target. The hands will lead the club face on a path from the inside of the ball, creating a square club face at impact.

Look at the drill photos to help understand the importance of this drill. Try it a few times and you will begin to feel a solid and compressed straight golf shot. Hip to be square can bring you great pleasure in your golf swing. 

John Nelson is the South Florida PGA Hall of Fame Class A Teaching Professional who is the Director of Instruction at the Golf Academy located at the County Club of Coral Springs, Coral Springs, Fl. 954-752-4500 x 204, email: jnelson@ccofcs.com, Web page: www.ccofcs.com.