The Secret To Leading With Your Hips in the Golf Swing

Forbes-featured instructor Eric Cogorno is joined by "Golf's Best Young Coach" JT Thomas...
To show you how to lead with your hips in the downswing.
It's the key to more consistency and pain-free power.
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[@TheBaseballSwing]

As a baseball hitting instructor, I mention this sequencing in virtually every video and lesson. It really is a key to building stretch and slotting the bat without a ton of tilt. Great work.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Yes! Thank you!!

[@golfpunk22]

Pros/Teachers are terrible at making bad shots. Hence, all their drills look like they work 100% of the time. They didn't talk about spinning out which brings the arms out in an over the top fashion. These videos are best done with an amateur being taught by a pro, to see if they work/improve. Food for thought.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Haha good points!

[@JonathanPajakLensCulture]

was thinking the same. if you open those hip wihtout the hands in the slot you wont be in to out yourll be over the top

[@russquick7899]

Wonderful message to get left without thinking about it Eric. Could watch you and JT make this move continuously to imprint the lesson. As an OLD -time baseball player that comparison to throwing to ball helps make it simple. As always, thanks for the good stuff. Be well-Russ

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Love it Russ--appreciate your continued support! Always fun working with JT :)

[@robertacierno2803]

JT, long time, no see! Staten Island misses you, brother. I finally got this sequencing thing down, and staying connected with my right elbow, and boom! Magic! I’m so much more consistent now. Finally loving my golf. Thanks for all the lessons we’ve done in the past, man! Hope all is well with you.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hell yeah---love it!!JT is the best!!

[@yallaretrippin8604]

i used to do this drill inadvertently when i was working on my takeaway, pausing for a quick second to make sure the clubhead was in the right position but never thought about the transition part. makes sense why i was hitting it soooo much cleaner than my regular swing, i need to start doing this again

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Love it! Stumbled on to something really good :)

[@jerrythegolfer]

This is great video thank you very much

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Appreciate it Jerry!

[@JohnLeyMystikmusic]

this is a great video, good explanations

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Thanks John!

[@abuhamza1970]

This is really useful. Thanks

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Our pleasure!!

[@Tui1Hit]

I believe the key is in your weight distribution at set up to allow the natural initial leaning of the leading hip. You shouldn't try to manufacture the hip lean otherwise you will never be consistent as your timing won't be consistent . With a 60% (leading foot):40% (trailing foot) weight ratio at set-up, your hip will naturally lean forward at full pivot when the backswing gets to the top. There is a reason why better ball strikers (good golfers & pros) lean their irons grips slightly forward at address. It should happen naturally when you put more weight (60%) on your leading foot and 40% on the trailing foot, the club should naturally lean slightly forward because your weight ratio favors the leading foot.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey! Thanks for watching and the feedback/thoughts!

[@OnyxCVO]

Great videos. SUBSCRIBED! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Thank you! Appreciate you being here with us!!

[@jimpalmer4916]

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. It makes sense that as the hands are traveling back, the hips would balance this in the opposite direction. Looking forward to developing this feel.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Yes!!

[@ballzmckracken7919]

Where people get lost in this is that they are considering hip rotation and lateral movement as one thing. It’s possible to rotate back while laterally moving the hips forward. You can clearly see the hips moving laterally toward the target while also rotating back to complete the backswing in the final split screen slowmo.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Thanks for the feedback!!

[@Bilsurf]

Great content Eric and JT, I'm returning to the game after 5+ years away. Ive gone out and played a couple 9's. My swing feels very disconnected, super inconsistent. Question is, would you recommend starting with this drill to reconnect my swing? Cheers

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey Bill! I would say for that issue best to start here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6O1aJ2kjdKWock&pp=ygUecGVyZm9ybWFuY2UgZ29sZiBhcm1zIHN0cmFpZ2h0

[@waynewalters4730]

Eric and JT, when I feel like I move my hips while arms are going back between P2-P3, I feel like I don't get a full turn. I feel like I get half the shoulder turn I would get if I let my arms go back all the way before starting forward with my hips. What is your take on that situation, without seeing video of course. And love your videos. Like seeing you two guys sharing your concepts together.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Yeah totally get that....I would just say there to make sure you get your full turn FIRST........then still use the hips/pressure into lead foot to start down. Also remember as youre feeling the hips starting down youre still feeling the hands/arms going UP AND BACK......that should also help keep you turning back more

[@arisandrews5672]

I feel this is more of feel vs real. When I watch tour swings the separation is so minimal it’s hard to visualize without good camera work. Everyone has seen the Harmon Woods GC where he had him pause then start down. Fine line to time this without the club getting stuck. JT mentioned 75% , I think it’s closer to 90% before an amateur can do this move.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

For sure FEEL vs REAL!! Agreed

[@rogerh4073]

This video is well timed because I've been working on this. My main question is, when does the weight shift to the lead foot? Should you be on the front foot before, after or during transition of the hips starting forward?

[@JuanGarcia-me6vn]

I also want to know the answer to this!

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey Roger! We have a video on that coming up soon!

[@reedrh]

I think it is the exact same time as the hips starting to open towards the target. If your weight starts to shift towards the target at this time, this will open the hips. IMO this is the true trigger.

[@CNW21]

i would say right before. The weight shifting forward leads the hips

[@user-dc5zk1yk7w]

you use the terms, hip and pelvic movements/rotation interchangeably! do they have they same 'job' in the swing?

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey! Yeah good question.....to keep things simple I would say YES

[@Dadplaysgolf]

Great great lesson, Eric and JT. But man, Eric really drags this along a little much :). JT is ready and Eric is holding the suspense.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Thanks for the feedback!!

[@geneelliott5666]

I struggle to lead with hips. It seems to help if I concentrate on starting the downswing with the left knee moving toward the target.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

I like that Gene!

[@arnoldcohen5872]

I feel a hesitation at the top and start my hips moving then before I start the club down. What do you think about this?

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

I like it!

[@williamdonovan2432]

At the point of moving hips forward and arms back, I tend to tighten my grip realy hard and swing like crazy! How do you keep arms relaxed?

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey William! Great question----you definitely want to FEEL like your GRIP pressure STAYS THE SAME throughout and doesnt tighten......so if you start at a 5 STAY There.....requires conscious thought for sure I talk more about grip pressure here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIKVl4mFrZulm5o&pp=ygUaRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIGdyaXAgcHJlc3N1cmU%3D Overall thoughts on tempo/tension/etc that may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6DNnaKklLGDesk&pp=ygUSRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIHRlbXBv

[@samhotstick13.28]

Are we talking about the hips leading or the weight shifting direction?

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey Sam! Some of both! As the hips GO (move forward and rotate).....the weight will also be shifting forward along with that.

[@sirdoggo]

Is there something different you would recommend for someone who's hips are outracing their arms causing the shoulders to spin out and just having a horrible sequence?

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey! Haha yes absolutely.....the opposite of this :) Try this one for that issue: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5upd5iEmrqpeqM&pp=ygUeZXJpYyBjb2dvcm5vIGdvbGYgYXJtcyBpbiBmb250

[@philwilliams1870]

I try to feel like my left hip goes down/sinks/gets heavy to start with hips. JT looks like he does that too. Is that the right transition move or is that a feel versus real?

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Yep!

[@user-yj2zj3tg7o]

Do you do the same with the driver as well?

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

You CAN but I would stick with short irons first!

[@vilhelm_sweden2438]

Light bulb moment. Have big problems being static in the lower body.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hell yeah---hope this helps!

[@kolte_breck]

I think it would be helpful if you had someone who struggles with the concept on the video try to implement what you are trying to teach. It would help the audience relate and connect.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Totally agreed! Good idea for a future video!

[@tomb4060]

Issue I have with all these instructors is one swing for every person and that's not the way it works. Alot of things need to be taken into consideration. Just like a baseball swing. Point is getting the bat or club into the slot. I actually started using the swing of the female on here. I believe her name is Erica. It has completely changed my game where the club does all the work. I don't worry about angles and when you let the gravity take over using the body swing about 20 different things are taken care of without having to think about them just based on the way you swing the club using the body

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey Tom --thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@tomsanders2533]

If right handed 1st move is left knee hips start moving then let gravity and relaxed soft arms drop right elbow to hip ,this helps create lag ,keep turning left your weight will shift to front foot automatically automatically if you just allow it to happen .

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

I like it Tom!

[@jimvanbelkum7912]

"Start your hips moving at the 75% mark in your backswing. Here - let me demonstrate." Starts his hips at about the 95% mark. "Hey, who you gonna believe? Me, or your lyin' eyes?"

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

:) FEELS vs REALS. I've found this..... Anytime we FEEL something......it shows up on video......later. Key point there---good observation!

[@yung-kanglee4681]

What if your hip starts moving forward earlier than the 75% mark of your swing, or even slightly before the down swing starts???

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

You would rather that than the opposite.....but if thats causing issues then of course you need to feel the opposite of this video and wait a touch longer for hips to so to get it in sequence

[@BHunter1088]

They make it look so easy. This is so hard for me smh

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Its a process for sure :)

[@thomasprejean2107]

I will never forget about 60 years our local pro told me that Hogan did just that. I should have listened. As a youth ,I heard but I didn’t listen

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

:) Better late than never maybe?

[@DamianPM67]

So does this mean your hips are 45 degrees by the time your arms are parallel to the ground and your shoulders would never be 90 degrees at the same time you hips are at 45 degrees?

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey Damian! Not quite In a normal swing lets say the shoulders are 90* turned at top and hips 45* at top They are getting their progressively throughout the whole backswing So during the takeaway lets say the shoulders are 30* turned and hips 15* At left arm parallel the shoulders are 60* and hips are 30* So depending where you stop they will be somewhere between 60-90* with shoulders and 30-45* with hips Hope that helps

[@dyson3509]

This doesnt make sense to me. They are saying move the hips forward halfway through the backswing. But as I watch the drill, they are literally moving forward as he does the downswing.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey dyson! I hear ya.....talking FEELs vs REALS here

[@softjones3128]

95% of people watching this literally can’t use their hips correctly. Took me 6 months of physical therapy and training to even start opening them up.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

thanks for the feedback!

[@bigballsdance2426]

95% pulled from your ass, maybe you just untalented

[@stephenmonash821]

Hale Irwin had it right.. just say to yourself inside right.. and outside left.. it works

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

I like it Stephen!

[@french0076]

Mo body, mo money!

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Yes! :)

[@mikewelch5576]

When you make a swing to demonstrate the hips leading it looks like you are moving everything together.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey Mike! The drill is an exaggerated drill to help. The hips will lead for sure in normal swing....but only by a bit!

[@miket.3248]

Hip don't lie!

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

:)

[@Shadow-zq7dq]

Golf is not one size fits all. There are a lot of ways to swing.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Agreed!!

[@davidquinn7144]

If you don’t have natural abilities you can’t learn this move .

[@crispyduck1706]

Anyone else get annoyed by Eric’s talking slowly to empathise a point like we are thickos

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Lol thanks for the feedback!

[@wayneriley7367]

I’m sorry, I know I’m not a PGA authorized teacher, but my 50 years of study and playing tells me that your advice of starting the down swing with your hips or weight transfer is not sound. I think this is where you screw up amateurs. There is one pro, Stan Utley, who said the club first starts coming back on the circle to start the downswing. This action is then countered by the body in a weight transfer to the left side allowing the left foot to counter the movement. Nicklaus also said he wanted the club in front of the buttons on his shirt and said he couldn’t release fast enough.. I recently found out that if you start the club back on its circle the hips automatically clear. Tell me where I’m mistaken.

[@michaeldodd6864]

Chris ryan has some excellent videos about moving the arms first at the top of your backswing! These guys are talking about half way down. Hard for me to time the hips at the half way down point. I agree with the Nicklaus approach. Also Justin Rose has an old video out there about keeping your back to the target and then moving the arms first.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey Wayne! All good---appreciate the feedback! OF course if you watch any good ball striker......in slow motion......from face on......youll see the swing ACTUALLY starts from the ground up. Pressure in the feet, then the pelvis (hips), then the ribcage/torso, then the arms/club last. So players may FEEL arms down first.....and that can be good for some.....but of course......thats not REALLY happening. This is easy to see in any slow motion video on KZbin or any 3D measuring systems. Hope that helps!

[@tomsanders2533]

Wayne it's a sequence thing and Jack said golf from the ground up time for a review of his book will be time well spent

[@michaeldodd6864]

I also think a lot of these moves happen naturally and flow a lot easier when we only have a swing thought or two rather than 10 swing thoughts.

[@wayneriley7367]

@@PerformanceGolfZone again, I disagree. Think of throwing a long stick, as Jackie Burke Jr. said the golf swing is like. You don’t push your feet onto the ground, your feet get pushed because you are starting to uncock the wrists and move the arms around, it is this forward force that must create an opposite force from the ground. So the force from the ground up is a result of the arms, connected to the torso pushing the legs down. Yes, the hips and legs create a force but after the club starts back down. Ok, I’m not a pro, but I think getting things out of sequence is why amateurs get screwed up.

[@33grise33]

I have no idea of what you are talking about, based on your movements.

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey---thanks for the feedback! Sorry we weren't able to make this more clear!

[@beniteztheconman]

This should never ever be a conscious move. If it is a natural movement..why would you need to think about it?

[@amfohr]

Because the brain does not recognize the golf swing as a natural movement

[@melhooker520]

The problem is he is not doing in his swing what he is telling us to do he doesn't start his hips until his hands are all the way to the top

[@PerformanceGolfZone]

Hey Mel! A big thing we've noticed is when you FEEL something in your swing......it SHOWS UP.......a little later. It takes time for our THOUGHT to turn into physical movement....thats the key here.

[@johnconaty7405]

Agreed so many yt pros preach this but as you say when you watch them they’re not doing it..lots of players pause at the top personally only think about getting the left hip back