Lateral Shift
Also known as: hip slide, bump
A lateral shift is the small move of the hips toward the target at the start of the downswing. It moves the low point forward and sets up the lead-side post, working with hip rotation rather than replacing it.
Too much slide with too little rotation is a fault that leaves the face open and produces pushes and blocks. The ideal is a blend: a small, intentional forward shift to move pressure and the low point, followed immediately by full hip rotation and clearance. The shift is most visible when watching the trail hip bump toward the target line before the rotation fires. Many amateur players skip the shift entirely and spin the shoulders first, which causes the classic over-the-top pattern.
Example
A player's lead hip bumps slightly toward the target at the start of the downswing before rotating open — the bump-and-rotate pattern common on tour.
Related terms
- Hip ClearanceHip clearance is the rotation of the lead hip out of the way through impact, creating room for the arms and club to swing freely past the body.
- Pressure ShiftPressure shift is the movement of the center of pressure under the feet — measured by force plates — from trail to lead during the swing. Elite players shift pressure earlier and more decisively than amateurs.
- Early ExtensionEarly extension is thrusting the hips toward the ball during the downswing, which causes the golfer to stand up out of posture and forces compensations at impact.
- Weight TransferWeight transfer is the movement of the body's center of pressure from the trail side (backswing) to the lead side (downswing). A complete transfer through impact is a fundamental source of power and consistency.
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