[phillygolf]

I have struggled to reconcile what I think I'm seeing in slow-mo videos/clips of pros and what I believe is good advice on hip movement.

In the vast majority of pro clips, down swing with club shaft parallel to target line, the trail elbow is at the trail hip or a hair in front. Coming into impact, the hips are open. Various Ben Hogan clips show this well. A favorite is Couples - by the time he reaches impact, his hips are very open.

Hi JP!
I agree - and also have noticed that pro's generally have their hips open or square at impact. Couples - open. Els - open. Tiger - open. Hogan - open. Not bad company!!!

On the other hand, I have read the posting here by Matt and VJ where they caution against hip spinning, use of the dowel-in-the-belt loops to stop the spinning, etc. I have seen Tom Tomasello's video on this site where he clearly shows keeping the trail hip back and swinging through and past the restrained hips (i.e. keeping them closed coming into impact).

Not sure about Tommy, but personally, I have never seen a pro with his hips closed at impact.

I can't believe 'open' or 'closed' hips - as a swing thought - into impact are both correct. What seems to work well for me is the Tomasello approach of keeping the hips closed and driving the trail elbow past the hips which then open up somewhat coming into impact - but the hips are 'following' the trail elbow, not leading or connected ala Hogan.

I've tried to decipher this and remain confused because (1) excellent pro level swings certainly appear as trail elbow riding the trail hip into impact with hips quite open at impact (2) Tomasello and others advise keeping the hips closed and swing 'past' them.

Thoughts appreciated.

Simply put - in my opinion, the hips have two functions - to power the shoulders and to shift the weight. I personally would not advocate having closed hips at impact - and certainly not as a goal.

Per 5-0, the hands should control the pivot. The hips need to clear to allow the hands to come down onplane - and I cannot see the hands coming down on plane while remaining closed - not to mention other potential issues (lack of pivot lag, potential shoulders leading downswing - over the top, and most of all - roundhousing).

I wouldnt get too caught up in what others do or advocate, unless its Homer.

Hips need to clear. Hips should lead shoulders. Hips need to move to shift weight. I cannot see how these 3 factors could lead to closed hips at impact.
Just my take.

-Patrick