In a good swing, the powerful coiling of the upper body blends effortlessly with the supportive action of the legs. The harmony of this overall motion is pretty much dependent on the movement of the hips. If the hips fail to move correctly, the player is often forced to lean his upper body heavily to the right in order to get his weight onto his right side. When that happens his left hip and left buttock shift precariously toward the target as his body rotates to complete the backswing.

Ideally, at the top of the backswing your upper body should have turned on top of your lower body. That's what creates dynamic tension and a powerful coil. Here's how you achieve it: from the address position, you need to introduce a tiny amount of lateral movement before your hips begin to rotate. That's the key. You must learn to ease your hips to the right just a fraction before you start to turn.

To measure this, you need a point of reference. Stick and umbrella in the ground just outside your right foot, and angle it toward you just a little. Now, as you start your swing, shift your weight across so that you bump the umbrella with your right hip; (1) it's exactly that - a 'bump', not a sway to the right. Now complete your turn. (2) At the top you should find that you have moved away from the umbrella again. In the correct position you should feel more 'center' at the top of the backswing - both the upper and lower halves of your body now more closely in line, the spine closer to vertical.

This simple exercise will give you the proper feel: making sure that your left knee resists a little, hold your left hip with your right hand and pull it in across. You'll feel your hips more underneath you.