THE RIGHT KNEE'S EFFECT ON HIP ROTATION

I would say of all the students that I have taught over the years improper control of the lower body has caused more swing problems than anything else! When your lower body or foundation is out of control so goes everything above it. . .you shoulders start to make an un-level turn, the clubshaft leaks off plane, the torso can reverse and start to tilt etc. All these flaws are reactions of an out of control lower body, but the next question is why is the lower body out of control?
We know that the hips are controlled by the actions of your right knee- it must hold its position relative to where it started to the top (to stop swaying,) and it must also hold the flex you established at address all the way to the top (to stop overturning.) If you fail to utilize these fundamentals during your backswing then your foundation will be shifting like the sands in an hourglass. Now, I want to discuss further the aspect of the three degree values of right knee flex and how they all influence the motion of the hips on their way to the top.

We know that the actual “normal” amount of knee flex is around 20 to 25 degrees. A simple test to ascertain just how much flex your knees posses is to look down from your address position, and when the tips of your knees hit the bow knot of your shoe you have this “normal” amount (20 to 25 degrees) of knee flex. This position will allow your hips to move into the Tour value of hip rotation of 46 to 53 degrees if it is held constant to the top. People with normal flexibility should maintain this type of knee flex at address to make sure their hips reach the proper position to the top. Too much or too little flex will cause major problems on the way to the top.

For the more flexible player exaggerated hip rotation on the backswing is always a problem, so it is here that we must use a different right knee flex at address. By using the physiology of your body, we can control your hip values, thus if you are over-flexible you need to try the 33-46 degree right knee position. As you look down again you should see your knees about mid way down your shoelaces- this position will curtail your hips actions and tighten your rotation to the top. Remember, hold whatever knee flex you establish at address all the way to the top or your foundation will be out of control. This position is vital for players of above average flexibility or even the players with a problem of straightening the right knee to the top. Please remember to add knee flex if your over-flexibility is a problem. If you remember this key you will finally be able to control your hips and overall backswing to the top.

Since we have covered the normal and over flexible player, what about the non-flexible golfer? This type of golfer must do two things in order to allow their hip rotations to be conducive to good swings. . .1) assume only 15 to 20 degrees of knee flex (place the tips of the knees over the tongues of your shoes,) and 2) flare out your right foot one to two inches. These two simple solutions will cause the hips to turn as much as possible, even above the Tour Averages. Please be careful when doing this to make SURE your right knee maintains its FLEX AND POSITION all the way to the top- if it looses either you will be in trouble!!!! Due to this type of player’s flexibility he needs all the rotation of the hips he can get and this will only be achieved by the above two aspects, so do so with a grain of salt.
In closing, remember that the flex you establish in your knees at address must agree with the amount of flexibility you have and these two factors together will determine your overall hip rotational value to the top!