March 11th, 2010 | 
Author: 
Hip Slide: Good or Bad?
Ben Hogan's Hip Slide (Ravielli)
The hip slide, weight shift, hip drive or whatever you want to call it is one of the most important, yet overlooked elements in the golf swing. Golfers have become so brainwashed against any form of lateral movement that I believe the vast majority of us are trying to stay as quiet and centered as we possibly can.
Here are a few interesting points about hip action:
- The downswing does not mirror the backswing. There should be no lateral hip motion in the back swing, while the downswing must have a good measure of shift towards the target.
- The weight shift to the front foot is entirely attributable to the hips gliding towards the target in the downswing. The head and upper body must remain over or slightly behind the ball as the hips shift, thus creating body curve.
- Remember that hip action incorporates either lateral motion or rotation (for all extensive purposes!). The downswing is intiated by lateral motion over to the front foot and then followed by rotation. This is very important sequencing here.
- Hip slide creates the room necessary in the downswing for the arms and club to drop to the inside. Too much spin or rotation from the top and you can only come over the top.
- Not only does the hip slide create room for the arms to get to the inside, but it also positions the weight so that the ball can be struck with a descending blow. The weight must be on the front foot for any golfer to consistently hit down on the ball.
This video from my YouTube channel presents an excellent case as to why the hip slide in the downswing is vital to a proper path and attack angle into the golf ball.
The Hip Slide
Particularly if you slice or fade the golf ball, drive the weight onto the front foot to initiate the downswing. This really is the best slide to have.
Related articles and drills on the Hip Slide:
Sandtrap.com - this is an excellent discussion on the hip slide and its importance to quality ball striking.
Hip Slide - an excellent presentation by Jim McLean as he explains Hogan’s lateral slide.
Posted in Long Game, Practice, Swing Philosophy | 
Tags: attack angle, ball striking, ben hogan's hip move, hip drive, hip shift, hip slide, hogan's lateral slide, Jim McLean, over the top, proper path, weight shift
I think this may be the most misunderstood part of Hogan’s swing. For years I was guilty of believing the old language of “bump and turn,” which put way too much emphasis on “turn” for me.
Great write-up. My first golf intructor always focussed on the lateral move. Since then, as you point out, I lost it along the way. After last weekend, after reading your article, it was like an a-ha moment. I went to the range, and played a round which just felt fantastic. Many thanks to you Andrew.
My pleasure Sunil – thanks for reading!