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DrivingBody RotationSpeed, Power, and Distance Driver Beginner ⏱ 6 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Hip Rotation During the Backswing with Fabien Gabarre

According to a study cited at the beginning of this article, professional golfers rotate their shoulders twice as much and their hips four times as much as amateurs during the backswing. Fabien Gabarre, from Idée Golf, demonstrates how to unlock the back hip without moving the body, and suggests a simple exercise to help you feel this opening.

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Fabien Gabarre
Fabien Gabarre · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

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What the lesson shows

Jérôme Deramaix presents the video and refers to the study: on average, Pros rotate their shoulders twice as much and their hips four times as much Just like recreational amateurs on the backswing, there’s just as much power to transfer upon impact. Fabien Gabarre starts with the question of the downswing: what happens first? For him, when you finish with good weight on your right side, around your right buttock, The hips return to their natural position. The problem stems from a forced rotation, with active shoulders instead of a passive upper body. The club then loosens up, regains its path and face, while the upper body lags behind and the club crosses over.

He reviews the steps covered in the series: stance, axis, swing, and wrist flexion. All that’s left to do is Open the back hip without shifting your weight or moving, shifting your weight onto your right hip and buttock. Point of reference: your left shoulder remains centered between your feet, with the axis of rotation in the middle. You can lift your heel slightly, but not too much. The sensation to aim for: The hip unlocks, but the support remains locked. The exercise consists of Move your right foot back slightly, turning it outward, which helps open up the hips; you can hit balls this way, being careful not to lose your balance.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Take your stance and move up the axis, with your wrists bent, until you reach the half-swing position.
  2. Open your back hip by shifting your weight onto your right buttock, without moving.
  3. Make sure your left shoulder stays centered between your feet.
  4. If it's hard to open, lift your back heel slightly—but not too much.
  5. For this exercise, step your right foot back slightly while turning it outward, then step up in the same way.
  6. Let your hips return to their natural position and let the club fall toward the ball.
  7. Hit some balls in this position, making sure you don't shift your stance.

Key Takeaways

Pros rotate their hips much more than amateurs do during the backswing.
With good support around the right buttock, the hips naturally return to their original position during the downswing.
Passive upper body: Active shoulders interfere with rotation.
Open the back hip without shifting your weight or moving.
The left shoulder remains centered between the feet, with the axis in the middle.
The hip unlocks, but the support remains locked.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Force the rotation instead of letting it happen naturally from the push-off.
  • Start the downswing with active shoulders.
  • Move or shift laterally by opening your hips.
  • Lifting the back heel too high, which could cause you to lose your balance.
  • Try to hit the ball hard with your body rather than letting the club generate the speed.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Half-swing lifts with the left shoulder centered between the feet
  2. Exercise: Right foot back and open, first without a ball, then with balls
  3. Full swings while keeping the right foot planted

Your Questions

What should trigger the downswing?

According to Fabien Gabarre, if you end up with your weight properly shifted onto your right buttock, your hips will naturally follow. The challenge is to force this rotation using active shoulders, rather than keeping the upper body passive.

How can you open your back hip without shifting your weight?

By shifting your weight onto your right hip and buttock, without transferring or shifting your weight. Your left shoulder should remain centered between your feet: this is the indicator that the axis of rotation has not moved.

Can you lift your back heel?

Yes, just a little, if you're having trouble opening your hips. Not too much, though, because you might lose your balance.

What does the proposed exercise involve?

Move your right foot back slightly while opening it up: this makes it easier to open your hips. Keep the same club path, and you can hit balls this way, making sure you don't shift your stance.

Learn More

All “Driving” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Body Rotation” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Speed, Power, and Distance” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Tommy Fleetwood's Precision Drive: The Safe TeeTo find the fairway, Fleetwood maintains his tee height, holds the club in the air, widens his stance, and hits over a tee placed behind the ball. 5 Pro Tips from Tommy Fleetwood: From the Drive to the GreenFive habits from the Tour: placing the tee in front of the ball when using a driver, no calling out shots with irons, planning chip shots in advance, keeping a distance log, and reviewing the round afterward. Collin Morikawa and Dustin Johnson's fade with the driverAim to the left, don't force the spin, a clubface that doesn't rotate on the upswing, and a single starting line at the top: Morikawa and DJ's fade. Fabien GabarreAll of his lessons

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