Fix Your Knee Movement & Pivot in the Golf Swing

Every golfer knows that the back swing and downswing are critical for generating power and control. But subtle mistakes in golf knee movement or improper pivot in golf swing can drastically affect your performance.

Adam Bazalgette, founder of Scratch Golf Academy, highlights that most amateur golfers either over-rotate their knees or don’t pivot enough, leading to instability, poor contact, and inconsistent distance.

By focusing on two key principles proper knee movement and pivot mechanics you can:

• Increase swing power
• Maintain golf swing stability
• Achieve a consistent low point for better ball striking
  

This guide will break down Adam’s expert advice, step-by-step golf swing drills, and practical tips to correct these common swing flaws.

Principle 1: Symmetrical Knee Movement

What it is:

 At the top of the backswing, a symmetrical look of the knees is ideal. For right-handed golfers:

• Left knee is slightly poked out
• Right knee moves back, following hip rotation
  

Why it matters:

• Provides balance and stability
• Ensures proper hip rotation and coil
• Prepares the lower body for a smooth transition into the downswing

Pro Examples:

• Bobby Jones: Shows more pronounced knee movement but still symmetrical
• Scotty Scheffler: Very little knee movement but maintains symmetry
  

Tiger Woods (Driver): Noticeable pivot and slight knee rotation, adding power while staying centered

Common Mistakes:

• Over-rotating or collapsing the knees
• Allowing the belt line to topple forward

Drill:

• Practice in front of a mirror to see knee alignment
• Keep thighs stable and belt line level
• Allow a small, natural rotation of the right knee for flexibility

Start of the Downswing: Knee and Pivot Mechanics

When initiating the downswing:

• Left knee: Slight push forward, but controlled
• Right knee: Passive, lengthening slightly
• Hips: Shift forward, putting pressure into the ground
• Core: Engaged to load the club without excessive arm swing
  

Why it works:

• Loads the golf club like a spring for maximum energy
• Maintains swing slot and trajectory
• Provides stability for clean, powerful contact
  

Pro Tips:

• Avoid “kicking” the legs or over-rotating the knees
• Keep the belt line level for balance
• Combine controlled pivot with weight shift for maximum efficiency

Drills to Fix Knee Movement & Pivot

1. Mirror Check Drill:

• Stand in front of a mirror
• Practice knee symmetry and spine rotation
• Watch belt line and hip movement
  

2. Slow Motion Drill:

• Take slow swings focusing on pivot
• Ensure right knee rotates and lengthens without collapsing
• Feel left knee pushing slightly toward the target
  

3. Club Loading Drill:

• Place a club along your shoulder line
• Pivot into the backswing while loading the club
• Return smoothly into the downswing, maintaining leg controler arm positioning, wrist firmness, and core engagement without risk of injury.

Watch the Full Video for a Visual Guide

See Adam Bazalgette demonstrate knee movement and pivot corrections:

Key Takeaways

1. Knee Symmetry: Maintain balanced knee movement at the top of the backswing.
2. Proper Pivot: Rotate your spine and hips while keeping your torso centered.
3. Controlled Downswing: Left knee moves slightly, right knee passive, hips and core engaged.
4. Practice Drills: Mirror checks, slow motion swings, and club-loading drills improve mechanics.
   

Next Steps 

• Practice these drills away from the course until you feel stable and natural
• Film your swing to check knee alignment, pivot, and belt line
• Join Scratch Golf Academy for step-by-step courses, drills, and video tutorials
  
• Start your free 14-day trial, no credit card required
  

By mastering these principles, you’ll improve your swing power, stability, and consistency making your golf game more precise and repeatable.ng such mastery shows that with practice, you can develop the same control.