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Body Rotation All clubs Beginner ⏱ 5 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

The "foot back" exercise to feel the rotation

Do you have trouble feeling your hips rotate? Simon Camirand suggests an exercise that couldn’t be simpler: step one foot back at address. This forces your hips to open—both on the takeoff and during the swing—and all you have to do is recreate that same feeling with both feet even.

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Simon Camirand
Simon Camirand · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

19 minNext Level UpGolf pivot stall: turn left until you reach the finishGreg Jones · Intermediate10 minNext Level UpGolf Swing Follow-Through: Translation, Rotation, ExtensionKevin Faivre · Intermediate5 minFrom the same proSeated Torso Rotation: Simon Camirand's StretchSimon Camirand · Beginner / Intermediate / Seniors

What the lesson shows

Simon Camirand starts with an observation: when there is a lack of rotation, the belt buckle faces the ball at the top of the backswing, instead of turning backward. To feel it, all you have to do is move the back foot back (the right foot for a right-hander) and then make your usual swing: your hips will rotate much more than usual. Hit a few balls this way, without worrying about the result, and then return to your normal stance while trying to recreate the same feeling, even if you rotate a little less.

The same principle applies to the follow-through, which is often harder to feel: upon impact, the lower body should never be facing the ball—let the arms do the work. This time, we move the front foot back and you hit the balls: your body ends up facing the target at the moment of impact. The exercise is meant to help you get a feel for it, You shouldn't play like that on the course: A back foot aids one side of the rotation and hinders the other.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Take your stance at the ball as usual.
  2. Move your back foot back slightly (your right foot if you're right-handed).
  3. Assemble the club as usual and feel the belt buckle turn backward.
  4. Hit a few balls in this position without looking at the result.
  5. Position your feet evenly apart and aim for exactly the same sensation of rotation.
  6. For the crossover, this time move your front foot back and hit some shots, making sure your body ends up facing the target.
  7. Return to your usual stance and get the same feel at impact.

Key Takeaways

Without rotation, the belt loop remains facing the ball at the top of the backswing.
Back foot set back: the pelvis opens wider during the upstroke.
Back foot set back: the body is facing the target at the moment of impact.
The outcome of the shots is irrelevant during the exercise.
When your feet are level, you turn a little less—that's normal.
This is not a playing position on the course.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Reach the top of the backswing with your belt buckle still facing the ball.
  • Approach the ball with your lower body facing it, and swing only with your arms.
  • Evaluate the drill based on the trajectory of the first few balls.
  • Keep your back foot on the course: you gain on one side of the rotation and lose on the other.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. A few shots with my back foot set back, then the same feeling with my feet even
  2. A few shots with the front foot back for the cross
  3. Alternate the two to connect the backswing and the finish
  4. Always finish the set in the usual stance

Your Questions

Which foot should you move back?

Use your back foot (the right foot for a right-hander) to feel the rotation as you swing up, and your front foot to feel the rotation through the ball. Simon Camirand recommends practicing on both sides.

Why do I spin less once my feet are back on the same level?

As expected, moving your foot back automatically opens your hips. The goal isn't to achieve the same range of motion, but to get the same feeling.

Can I keep my back foot in place while playing?

No. With your back foot set back, you turn more when going uphill but less when going forward: the exercise is meant to help you get a feel for it, not to change your technique.

How can I tell if my hips turn enough in the backswing?

Look at your belt buckle at the top of your backswing: it should be facing backward, not toward the ball.

Learn More

All “Body Rotation” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Bending Your Knees at the Address: Use the Shoelaces as a GuideBending your knees too much restricts rotation: two guidelines—the club held at the tip of your knee should fall in line with your shoelaces, and the grip should point toward your navel. Golf pivot stall: turn left until you reach the finishComplete the pivot by turning to the left: open your left foot 20 to 30°, continue turning after impact, and control the finish with your heels aligned. Golf Swing Follow-Through: Translation, Rotation, ExtensionSequential hip support recovery (lateral translation, rotation, extension): club on the shoulders; a stick is used to correct those who turn and stand up too early. Simon CamirandAll of his lessons

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