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 intents and 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!
Andrew,
Your dialogues on the slide of the hip are excellent and serve to clear many issues on my swing..In the Philippines,I do not know of many pros who teach this method as they prefer to use hip or sholder rotation as the method of initiation……..
Many thanks Andrew,
John W Durkin
Makati City
Philippines
Many thanks John – I hope my thoughts can help you enjoy this game a little more!
Andrew
No correct way. Look at Tom Watson’s swing. Lateral hip movement to the right starts his full swing. This is less pronounced as clubs get shorter. Of course lateral movement to the left begins downswing. He does not mention this in his video but it is quite apparent if you watch his swing. He does not however move outside his feet, it is not a sway. George Knudson also advocates this same weight shift what Watson uses to get the club swinging, not levering.
Hi Larry,
I’d have to say there are few correct ways and many incorrect ones. The only great player I’ve seen who had any significant “sway” in the backswing was/is Colin Montgomerie.
I would agree that as the clubs get longer and the stance wider there is a more noticeable shift in the hips to start the swing, but almost no great players who do this with a 7 iron for example….
this is all incorrect. hogan had no lateral slide in the downswing – all of his lateral movement towards the target with his hips occurred during his backswing.
Are you for real? Do you know who Ben Hogan is? He moved forward about 8 inches!!
What an awesome tip, thanks Andrew! The first time I tried it on the course today, I added 25 yards to my driver. I’ve been playing only for 4 years but am in a phase where this tip is so timely and will be a big keeper for me. May I ask if this side move should apply to all clubs but in different degree (i.e. not so much with a 60-degree, and increasingly more pronounced as it comes to longer clubs?). Thanks again.