Is Your Hip Getting Around?

By Dr Callaway, DC ATC CSCS CGFI MP2, as seen on bigforegolf.com

When working on improving your swing good hip stability and mobility is crucial.
According to the Titleist performance institute the average touring professional has at least 45 degrees of hip internal rotation and external rotation. Inability to rotate your hips can lead to a number of swing faults as well as various biomechanical and musculature deficiencies.
How do you test to see if you hips are rotating? It is simple! Take two clubs and put them at right angles to one another, stand with one foot next to a shaft and the other rested on the toe. Have a club held along your shoulders, held with your arms crossed, turn your entire body towards the club…did the club in your arms cross the club on the floor?
If no then you need to work on your hip rotation…repeat with the other leg.
Increase your Mobility

1. Lay on your side, squeeze your knees together while lifting your foot towards the ceiling…repeat this 10 to 12 times and then switch sides.*
2. Sit on a chair with your knees together (looks like and M or W), until you feel a stretch in your hips. Hold that for 8 to 12 seconds, relax and repeat two more times.*
   

As your hips become more mobile you can add exercise to strengthen the hip musculature…

*If you have had a hip replacement or pain during these exercise contact your health care professional, prior to doing these exercises.