Athletic Motion Golf is a coaching channel known for analysing tour swings in detail, often using 3D motion capture. Their videos tend to challenge popular instruction, and they’re not shy about saying when they think a common tip is sending golfers the wrong way.
Their June 2026 video, “The Hip Move Every Tour Pro Makes To Avoid Early Extension!”, is a good example. It’s around eight minutes long, and it focuses on how the hips actually move through the swing.
DE-SHANK isn’t affiliated with Athletic Motion Golf, and nothing here suggests they endorse our app.
A quick reminder: what is early extension?
Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) defines early extension as forward movement of the lower body towards the ball during the downswing, which gets the arms stuck and makes the torso rise. It’s one of the most talked-about faults in golf.
The backswing: the trail hip should move back
In the video, the presenters track markers on each side of a tour player’s pelvis. Their first point is about the backswing: the trail hip needs to move back. They say most golfers who early extend have a trail hip that doesn’t move back, so the only way to turn is for the other side to move out towards the ball.
The downswing: the problem with pushing both hips back
This is where the video challenges popular advice. The presenters say many golfers, at every level, are trying to start the downswing by pushing both hips back at the same time and at the same rate. They describe this as a move that’s become popular online, but say it’s not how good players move.
Instead, they explain that the trail hip marker moves forward, towards the ball and towards the target, in the downswing, and that it moves forward more than it moved back. They use an alignment stick on the ground and the idea of a pane of glass to show how far it travels on their tour example.
Meanwhile, they say the lead hip moves much less forward, and back, so the pelvis rotates around rather than simply sliding or being pinned.
The revolving door
The image they use is a revolving door. The hips go around as they go forward. One side comes around and the other goes back behind you. They argue you don’t need to force this; you need to let the trail foot and hip release.
They also say “creating space is a myth”, and that golfers are often afraid to let the trail hip come off the “wall” because they think that’s early extension.
All credit for this analysis goes to Athletic Motion Golf.
What golfers can learn
Popular tips aren’t always right for you
The video is a reminder that a cue that looks right in a clip can lead to a lot of confusion. Check any change against what actually happens in your own swing.
Rotation beats restriction
Pinning both hips back can stop you rotating. The revolving-door image encourages a freer, more natural movement.
Look at both sides of the pelvis
Many golfers think about “the hips” as one thing. The presenters show that each side moves differently.
How to explore it
Please watch the original video for the full demonstrations before trying anything. Then:
- Film from down the line. The presenters suggest taping a marker to the side of your belt and filming yourself to see how it moves.
- Slow-motion rehearsals. Practise the revolving-door feeling without a ball.
- Half shots. Let the trail foot and hip release through impact.
DE-SHANK can help you check the effect on your posture. Our posture change score shows whether you stand up or dip through the shot, and our hip sway score shows whether your hips slide rather than turn. Rough hip and shoulder turn estimates are shown as guides. See all our features.
DE-SHANK gives estimates from one camera view. It’s designed for practice feedback, to help you spot habits and track trends.
Why we like this video
It’s evidence-led and willing to question popular advice, while still giving golfers a simple image to work with. Explore more on the Athletic Motion Golf channel.
Browse more profiles in our YouTube Coaches section.
Try DE-SHANK free
See what happens to your posture when you let your hips rotate. Try the free DE-SHANK beta. It’s free during the beta.
