The Sway/Slide swing fault is very common among a wide range of players and this excessive lateral movement makes it difficult to make solid contact with the ball. This swing fault is commonly caused by a lack of strength or flexibility in the hips and lower body. In this Golf Fitness Academy show, Dr. Greg Rose and Dave Phillips will show you how to test for any physical limitations of flexibility and strength in your hips or lower body that may be causing a sway/slide. They will also demonstrate flexibility and strength exercises to help you attack this swing fault in the gym.
Episode Details
One of the most common swing faults in golf is the Sway/Slide. This fault is commonly caused by a lack of strength or flexibility in the hips and lower body.
The sway portion of the fault occurs on the backswing. As a player transfers weight into their right side (for a right handed golfer), the player needs to have internal rotation of the right hip and a braced right leg in order to load into and drive through the ball. Without strength and flexibility, the hips move laterally and their weight rolls onto the outside of the right foot causing a breakdown in the synchronization of the swing.
The slide position of the fault occurs on the downswing. A weakness in the glutes, legs and pelvic area can cause the slide fault of moving or sliding toward the target. Strength and flexibility is required on the left side of the body to stabilize the left hip as a player rotates the body to deliver the club at impact.
Greg and Dave show you how to test yourself at home for:
Hip internal rotation
Glute strength
Many golfers will find they have both physical limitations in both areas and will benefit by doing the flexibility and strength exercises which are demonstrated in the show.
