Help with my swing - I can't turn my hips!

I would appreciate any feedback on my swing. Below are links to FO and DTL videos using my 8 iron from swingacademy.com. I drew a few lines and slowed them down a bit. My current handicap index is 11.6. My goal is to shoot par for 18 holes at least once within the next 3 years. Marriage then kids are in the near future so I'd like to do it before having kids.

My biggest problem seems to be hip turn - I can't do it! I'm trying to just turn but it's not going well. On my downswing I slide and turn my hips at the same time. You can see if in the FO video. In the DTL video my butt moves forward so I think that means I'm losing my spine angle. I think some smaller problems are early extension, I rotate my shoulders over 90 degrees, my head moves down and forward, and on my backswing my clubhead is a little below my swing plane line.

I have no experience in swing analysis so I'd appreciate any feedback/advice. I played golf when I was in high school then I took about 10 years off and this is my first "serious" year back.

FO - 8 iron: http://www.swingacademy.com/web/video/skillcast.aspx?id=4857

DTL - 8 iron: http://www.swingacademy.com/web/video/skillcast.aspx?id=4858

Thanks!

Mark

Have you tried practice swings with a follow through step? I have suggested that to several people who hang back or have a hard time rotating early. I use it myself from time to time. It helps me to keep from arching my back so severely.

Thanks for the input.

Lane - I see what you're saying. I compared my downswing to Adam Scott's and I can see how I'm really throwing the club. While at the range I've been focusing so much on trying not to slide but now I'll pay much more attention on maintaing the clubhead lag. Probably going to take a while, it's not an easy fix!

Thanks again for the help.

//mark

Laneholt, very good analisys if the downswing and lever system, it will help a lot.

Thanks,

Jm

Laneholt, very good analisys of the downswing and lever system, it will help a lot.

Thanks,

Jm

I dont turn my hip. And I am happy with my swing.

I struggled with the hip turn a few years back and a really great player told me to set up with my hips more open. It's a very simple thing to do and worth a try. Just swing like you are now, but open your hips a bit more when you take your stance. I still get a turn and plenty of resistance, but the flow of the turn of the lower body is much easier and the transfer of power much smoother. In my case, I was just too perfectly square to the target line with my body and for whatever reason, my hips just didn't like to rotate smoothly with that set-up.

The late Manuel de la Torre would have a field day with this topic and some of the responses. Perhaps you could view some of Manny’s principles on YouTube. He’ll talk about swinging the club and how the body simply reacts to the motion of the club. Manny will explain the proper motion. He was terrific!