What is Hip Rotation in Golf?

Hip rotation is the single biggest source of speed and consistency in the swing. The pelvis is the largest segment in the kinematic sequence, and it has to start the downswing, lead the torso, and clear out of the way to give the trail side room to release the club. Players who rotate well typically have effortless-looking swings because the engine is doing the work and the arms are along for the ride.

On the backswing, the goal is roughly 45 degrees of pelvis rotation while the shoulders turn close to 90 degrees. That gap creates the X-factor — the coil between upper and lower body that stores elastic energy. On the downswing the pelvis fires first, opens to roughly 35 to 45 degrees by impact, and continues opening into the finish.

Hip rotation is not the same as hip slide. The hips rotate around a vertical axis, not slide laterally. Players who confuse the two end up swaying off the ball and never get the rotational speed that powers the swing. The cue 'turn into the trail glute, then into the lead glute' helps separate rotation from translation.