10 Most Common Mistakes - Keeping Your Hips Back

In this episode of the Athletic Motion Golf Podcast, Mike Granato and Shaun Webb take on one of golf’s most misunderstood instructions: stay down through the swing. While it might sound simple, most golfers are interpreting this cue in ways that hurt their motion, timing, and ball striking.Mike and Shaun break down what’s actually happening in the swings of great players—from subtle body lift to neck mobility—and why trying to force your head or body to “stay down” often backfires. They explain:Why trying to "keep your head down" is ruining your rotationWhat the body is really doing through impact (spoiler: it's not staying down)How your head can go down while your body moves upThe connection between poor shallow angles and early extensionWhy a steeper downswing shoulder plane is a good thingIf you've struggled with fat shots, thin shots, or inconsistent chipping, this episode connects the dots on how improper concepts are getting in your way—and gives you the right framework to fix it.Plus, they share a quick awareness drill that has fixed the short game yips for countless golfers.

In this episode, Mike Granato and Shaun Webb of Athletic Motion Golf unpack one of the most powerful concepts they’ve introduced - The Lazy Susan. It’s not just a kitchen throwback—it’s a game-changing way to understand rotation in the golf swing.They dive into how most golfers are stuck with the wrong mental model when it comes to separation, rotation, and what actually powers the downswing. From steep hand paths to stalled hips, Mike and Shaun break down the common faults that stem from flawed concepts—and show how thinking of your pelvis as a Lazy Susan can clean up your move and help you rotate like a Tour player.They cover:Why over-rotating your shoulders early ruins your swingThe real source of separation (hint: it’s not on the downswing)How to stop being over the top without “holding off” your swingWhy trying to “fire your hips” may be killing your rotation

In this episode of the Athletic Motion Golf Podcast, hosts Mike Granato and Shaun Webb dive into what they believe is the most misunderstood—and most difficult—part of the golf swing: the transition. Specifically, they explore the “middle part” of the swing, the split-second moment between backswing and downswing that separates pros from amateurs.Most amateur golfers finish their backswing and start everything down at once—hips, arms, and club all move together. In contrast, elite players like Xander Schauffele maintain just enough rotational reserve to create a dynamic, sequenced transition. That stretch and separation allow for more clubhead speed, better face control, and fewer injuries.Mike and Shaun make the case for thinking of the golf swing as a unified “windup” instead of two distinct motions—backswing and downswing. They share lessons from tour pros, insights from motion capture data, and drills like continuous motion swings to help you feel the right stretch and sequencing in your own game.

Welcome back to the Athletic Motion Golf Podcast, where Fact Meets Fairway! In this final installment of our Top 10 Most Common Swing Mistakes, Mike Granato and Shaun Webb tackle a major issue that sneaks into so many amateur swings—elbow lagging.Many golfers mistakenly believe that holding their trail arm bend deep into the downswing will create more lag and power. However, this move actually disrupts sequencing, steepens the downswing, and robs players of effortless speed. Mike and Shaun break down the true mechanics of right arm movement, why tour pros actually straighten their trail arm as they transition, and how misconceptions about "holding lag" lead to major swing faults.You’ll also hear insights from some of the world’s top coaches, including Scott Hamilton, and why understanding how the trail arm moves correctly can instantly improve your ball striking.Looking for expert feedback on your swing? Join The Matrix, Athletic Motion Golf’s premier online training platform, where you’ll get personalized coaching from Mike and Shaun. Visit athleticmotiongolf.com to get started!If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating and written review—it helps us reach more golfers like you. And don’t forget to share this episode with your golf buddies (unless you want to keep the advantage for yourself)!

Welcome back to the Athletic Motion Golf Podcast, where Fact Meets Fairway! In this episode, Mike Granato and Shaun Webb continue their deep dive into the 10 most common swing mistakes of 2024, and today’s topic is one that wrecks consistency—getting the club laid off at the top of the backswing.Many golfers unknowingly push their club into a laid-off position, leading to steep transitions, weak ball flights, and major compensations on the downswing. Mike and Shaun break down the most common causes—including shut clubfaces, overactive wrist movements, and the dreaded “elbow pinning” technique—and explain why it makes ball-striking harder, not easier.You’ll also hear why Xander Schauffele’s swing transformation proves how fixing a laid-off backswing can take your game to the next level.Looking for expert coaching tailored to your swing? Join The Matrix, Athletic Motion Golf’s premier online training platform, where you’ll get personalized feedback from Mike and Shaun. Visit athleticmotiongolf.com to get started!If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating and a written review—it helps us reach more golfers like you. And don’t forget to share this episode with your golf buddies (unless you want to keep the advantage for yourself)!

Welcome back to the Athletic Motion Golf Podcast, where Fact Meets Fairway! In this episode, Mike Granato and Shaun Webb break down one of the biggest swing misconceptions that holds golfers back—the hands-in, club-out takeaway. Many golfers attempt to correct an inside takeaway by forcing their hands inward while keeping the club out, but this often leads to major swing flaws that derail consistency.Mike and Shaun explain why this move creates a domino effect of compensations, making solid ball striking nearly impossible. They reveal the proper way to structure your takeaway, how to position your club relative to your hands, and the critical camera angles you need to accurately analyze your swing. Plus, they share simple yet effective fixes to help you build a repeatable and powerful motion.Looking for personalized feedback on your swing? Join The Matrix, Athletic Motion Golf’s premier online training platform, where you’ll get expert coaching to elevate your game. Visit athleticmotiongolf.com to learn more!If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating and written review—it helps us reach more golfers like you. Share this episode with your golf buddies (unless you want to keep the edge for yourself)!

You've been told that shaft lean is the key to a powerful golf swing—but what if you've been misled? In this episode of the Athletic Motion Golf Podcast, Mike Granato and Shaun Web break down the biggest myths about shaft lean and what REALLY happens in the swings of top golfers.👉 Key Takeaways:The role of the trail hip movement in creating effective shaft lean.Why forcing early extension is a common mistake.How measuring data from elite golfers debunks traditional golf myths.The real mechanics of a powerful downswing—and how to apply them to your own game.Most golfers believe they need to drive their hands forward to achieve shaft lean, but this actually shuts down good pelvis motion and reduces swing efficiency. Learn how proper hip movement can naturally create the right amount of shaft lean, improve ball flight, and optimize impact dynamics.📢 Want to take your golf swing to the next level? Join The Matrix, our premier online golf training platform, where you’ll get personalized feedback from AMG instructors to refine your swing. Click here to start improving today: AthleticMotionGolf.com

Welcome to the Athletic Motion Golf Podcast! In this episode, Mike Granato and Shaun Webb tackle one of golf's most misunderstood concepts: the rate of closure.Is there a connection between rate of closure and accuracy? Surprisingly, no. Mike and Shaun break down why these two factors don’t correlate and how focusing on the wrong elements can hold back your progress. With insights from tour pros and real-world swing data, they explain how your natural swing DNA plays a bigger role than you might think.If you’ve been struggling with the idea of keeping the clubface “square” or trying to manually control your swing, this episode will set the record straight. Discover practical tips to work with your natural tendencies and achieve more consistent results.For even more insights, check out their YouTube video on downswing myths. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, leave a five-star review to let Mike and Shaun know how they can help you play better golf!

Welcome to the Athletic Motion Golf Podcast! In this episode, Mike Granato and Shaun Webb dive into the top 10 most common setup mistakes—those sneaky "Set Up Killers" that derail your swing before you even take it back.Ever wonder why your shots feel inconsistent, even when your swing feels the same? Spoiler: it’s probably your setup. Mike and Shaun break down the small details pros obsess over, like alignment, grip, and posture, and why amateurs tend to overlook them. You’ll hear why even the best golfers in the world revisit their setup every week and how something as simple as a bad grip can send your swing into chaos.We’re keeping it practical and relatable, sharing tips you can try right now to tighten up your setup and hit more consistent shots. Plus, we chat about common myths like the so-called “athletic stance” and why some popular advice might be hurting your game more than helping.

Welcome to the Athletic Motion Golf Podcast, where co-founders Mike Granato and Shaun Webb help you play your best golf. Through a fact-based approach, they tackle the common challenges golfers face on the course, in practice, and in their quest to improve.In this episode, Mike and Shaun break down one of the top golf swing faults of 2024: early extension. They uncover why the popular advice to “keep the trail hip back” doesn’t align with what top players actually do. With insights from 3D data and examples, they provide solutions to improve your swing and timing for better performance.