Restricted turn/bad hips

[timd77]

I’ve got arthritis in my hips, currently awaiting a visit to the hospital for cortisones, hopefully they help to alleviate the pain. In the meantime, I’m starting to really struggle with getting much turn due to the pain, had to walk off after 12 tonight. It’s mainly on the downswing that I struggle.

Does anyone else have similar issues or know of any good swing tips to get around it? Or online coaches who specialise in it?

 

[Oddsocks]

The tip I was given was ensure the feet are splayed outward to release the tension, standing with parallel feet restricts the hip movement.

I broke the fractured the balls in the top of both femurs when I was 15 in a motocross accident, unfortunately it wasn’t diagnosed for until 8 months of chronic pain which by then has caused slipped bio lateral hypethisis(sp) (post term for cartilage) in both hip sockets. The top definitely made turning the hips easier.

 

[Doh]

I would think about pre-setting your hips more open when you take your stance. My wife has arthritis almost in every joint in her body her hands and spine are particularly affected.
Hope you find something that works for you.

 

[Swango1980]

Whether it works for you, I don't know. But, for me, I start with an open stance (feet and hips). It means they are already in a good position to turn through the ball. Previously, my stance was actually a little closed. I really struggled to turn my hips through the ball, due to limited flexibility. They stopped turning before the ball, resulting in my either fatting it, or throwing my arms and flipping my wrists to try and get the club head to the ball.

I then saw some guys who hit it miles, and they actually have an open stance. Some significantly so. Then saw pro's on youTube like Lee Trevino, great ball strikers and an open stance.

Took a driving session or two to get used to, as muscle memory means I still had the same downswing flaws to account for the old set up, even though my new set up was in force. But, once you get used to setting up your club face, ball position and then swinging more freely, it became so much easier to get through the ball.

It may be worth a try anyway. But, we are all built differently. So, a good pro would probably be able to give any good tips specific to your swing.

 

[timd77]

Thanks for the info, I’ll try and give these a go. The open stance is an interesting one, does it result in a big fade or not necessarily?

 

[bobmac]

I'd ask a doctor/sports physio

 

[timd77]

I'd ask a doctor/sports physio

Cheers Bob, i did ask a few years ago when first diagnosed, they said to play as much as I felt was possible but nothing specific about how to swing. Mind you, it wasn’t so bad then.

Is it something you see regularly with your lessons?

 

[bobmac]

Cheers Bob, i did ask a few years ago when first diagnosed, they said to play as much as I felt was possible but nothing specific about how to swing. Mind you, it wasn’t so bad then.

Is it something you see regularly with your lessons?

I used to see it occasionally and my advice was always the same....get professional advice.
And get a buggy

 

[Swango1980]

Thanks for the info, I’ll try and give these a go. The open stance is an interesting one, does it result in a big fade or not necessarily?

This will be very dependent on your swing path tendency.

To be fair, for me I dropped my hands massively to the inside in the downswing when I had my more normal / slightly closed stance. It resulted in a horrible draw / hook that I'd struggle with anyway. When I practiced opening my stance, I really opened it up so it felt like a was massively open to target with my lower body. However, as I swing, my shoulders are probably more square to target anyway, so I still can draw the ball with a very open stance.

Found the following clip from Dan Whittaker, who describes the pros and cons of open and closed stances. He goes to the extreme level, so they are only really meant to be drills. But, for me, I think having an open stance is far better unless you have great flexibility. Better to have a short backswing and really turn well through the ball, than have a longer backswing and really struggle to get through it. Many good players still hit it miles with short backswings anyway.

 

[timd77]

This will be very dependent on your swing path tendency.

To be fair, for me I dropped my hands massively to the inside in the downswing when I had my more normal / slightly closed stance. It resulted in a horrible draw / hook that I'd struggle with anyway. When I practiced opening my stance, I really opened it up so it felt like a was massively open to target with my lower body. However, as I swing, my shoulders are probably more square to target anyway, so I still can draw the ball with a very open stance.

Found the following clip from Dan Whittaker, who describes the pros and cons of open and closed stances. He goes to the extreme level, so they are only really meant to be drills. But, for me, I think having an open stance is far better unless you have great flexibility. Better to have a short backswing and really turn well through the ball, than have a longer backswing and really struggle to get through it. Many good players still hit it miles with short backswings anyway.

Interesting vid that, thanks ??

 

[Deleted member 1147]

A good sports physio should be able to give advice on exercises to help, maybe to strengthen & loosen up the hip flexors and posterior chain.