Start the Downswing With Your Hips: Jean-Baptiste Gonnet
The pros don't seem to be exerting much effort, but do you tend to overdo it? Jean-Baptiste Gonnet answers a common question from his students: it's the hips that initiate the downswing. He demonstrates the initial movement of the knees from the front and side, then shows the exercise he does every day.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Above all, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet reminds us to constantly check Grip, Posture, and Alignment, which change from one day to the next. But the key difference between a pro—who seems to be playing effortlessly—and a player who doesn’t compress the ball properly lies between the top of the backswing (P4) and just before impact. The natural human reflex is to swing toward the ball with the arms: the club then passes over the top and you have to compensate. His answer is clear: mechanically, It's the hips that initiate the downswing. At the top of the movement, the knees point to the right of the target. The first movement: both knees back square to the target line, left knee opening up, left hip moving back, a little more flexion, without moving the torso. It’s neither a swing of the arms nor a sudden rotation of the hips that would send the club outward.
This small move sets the hands and the trail elbow. Then the body keeps rotating: at P6 the shaft is parallel to the ground with no manipulation of the face, then at P7 you hit the ball with power. If the knees haven’t moved at the top, you force the swing, stand up and manipulate the face: good shots become a matter of luck, whereasa face open by one degree sends the ball about 11 yards right. Under pressure, you rush from the top and lose your coordination. His favorite exercise: Work only on P4, P5, and P6, starting with short swings using wedges and then an 8-iron, before moving on to a full swing—ten to fifteen minutes at each practice session. He also recommends doing some mobility exercises, with your hands against a wall, to feel the separation between your hips and torso.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Check your grip, posture, and alignment.
- Reach the top of your backswing (P4) and make sure your knees are turned to the right.
- Bring both knees back square to the target line without moving your torso (P5).
- Keep turning until the shaft is parallel to the ground (P6).
- Turn through to the ball and hit a short wedge shot.
- Gradually lengthen your swing, then move on to other clubs.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting the downswing with your arms.
- Moving your upper body first, which sends the club over the top.
- Spinning your hips hard and throwing the club outward.
- Compensating at impact by standing up and manipulating the clubface.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Slow P4-P5-P6 drill, knees returning square to the target line
- Short shots with a wedge, then with an 8-iron; ten to fifteen minutes per session
- Hands-against-the-wall exercise to separate the hips from the torso
Your Questions
What triggers the downswing?
For Jean-Baptiste Gonnet, it's the hips: mechanically speaking, the first movement is that of the knees, which return to face the line of play.
Should you rotate your hips as fast as possible?
No. It's a small movement, with a little more bend in the knees and the upper body kept still. A sharp rotation sends the club outward.
Why do I come over the top?
This is often because the upper body moves first, or because the hips don't rotate. The club then moves off the plane, and you have to compensate at impact.
How can I work on it?
By practicing only the P4, P5, and P6 positions—using short wedge shots—for ten to fifteen minutes per session, before moving on to the full swing.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jean-Baptiste Gonnet). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.