Rory core strength golf swing

The Secret Core Move for a Powerful Golf Swing

Written by: Brian Doyle

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Published on

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Time to read 5 min

There's a difference between generating speed and power

“I think most people can create a little bit of speed, but what happens at impact is that a lot of people aren’t stable enough and can’t stabilize the right areas of their body to keep that speed going all the way through impact.”

- Rory Mcllroy

Rory hits it a mile, but he’s not a big guy and his swing seems effortless. His smash factor is 1.5, considered to be the gold standard for the swing. The reason? He has amazing core strength.


What Rory is talking about is transferring power from the ground, through your body, through the club to the ball. 


While the core is directly connected to every part of your swing sequence, there is one subtle core move you must understand and feel in order to begin to realize all of the benefits proper core strength will have on your swing (and body):

Rory Mcllroy
AXIUS Core Free 2-week trial

Understanding Pelvic Tilt

Take a look at at Rory's belt line. At the top of his backswing he has an anterior pelvic tilt meaning his hips are tilted forward and down towards the ball. As Rory gets to impact, his pelvis tilts back and up. 


This subtle move, is what allows for the ground forces to transfer from his legs through his core through his club and to the ball. 


This is why Rory can hit it a mile! 

Rory Mcllroy core strength pelvic tilt

Your abs control your ability to tilt your pelvis posteriorly and anteriorly (up and down). Most golfers have too much anterior tilt and struggle to posteriorly tilt their hips at impact which is a major power leak, that could be easily costing you 10-20 yards or more of distance. 

anterior and posterior pelvic tilt

Training Pelvic Tilt

You can start generating more power in your swing today with this simple exercise progression focused on mastering the Hip Arch and Tuck.


This core move is designed to help you properly activate your mid-core muscles and align your pelvis for optimal power transfer at impact. 

Here’s how to get started:
- Begin with Level 1 and work your way up to Levels 2 and 3.
- Perform 2-3 sets of 5-10 reps, every other day for best results.

Pro tip: Attention to detail is everything! Be sure to follow Coach Jackie’s cues closely to ensure you’re getting the most out of each movement.

LEVEL 1
Start with the Hip Arch and Tuck from Plane Position:

LEVEL 2
Once mastered, try performing the same Hip Arch and Tuck movement from Prime Position:

LEVEL 3
Now take this movement to your address posture with a golf club support:

Ready to take your game to the next level?

These exercises are just the start. If you’re serious about taking your game to the next level, the fastest way to see real results is with our free 2-week custom trial—and you’ll be guided by your own dedicated Titleist Performance Coach!


Here’s what your personal coach will provide:

  1. One-on-one Assessment: Your coach will analyze your swing mechanics to identify exactly where you need to focus for maximum improvement.
  2. Custom Workouts: Get 3 personalized workouts every week, designed just for you and completed on your own time.
  3. Actual Form Feedback: Your coach will review every workout and give you form corrections, so you’re building strength and precision with each session.

Start your free trial today and experience what a personal Titleist coach can do for your game!

"I've lowered my handicap by 2 strokes and eliminated lifelong back pain. This program works!"

Spencer Lunquist. 39, HC 5.8

"I've gained well over 20 yards. I've always struggled to stick with programs, but the expertise and accountability from the coaching is amazing!"

Frank Lesesne. 59, HC 7.3

"My swing speed is up, from 117 to 123mph thanks to AXIUS!"

Shane Battier, 2x NBA Champion

How AXIUS Works:

Brian Doyle speaking at startup conference

The Author: Brian Doyle

Brian is the Founder and CEO of AXIUS. A former USA National Rugby player, a career-threatening knee injury sparked his passion for biomechanics, leading him to create AXIUS—a platform trusted by athletes to optimize performance and prevent injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes AXIUS different?

Our approach is unique. We identify physical compensation patterns in your body, explain how they impact your golf swing, and then prescribe a custom program that evolves with you. Every workout is automatically video recorded by our mobile app and uploaded to your personal coach who provides you with corrective feedback. It’s not just about fitness—it’s about fixing root cause physical issues to improve your game and body for life!

Is this just a core workout?

No, AXIUS is a full-body workout. It combines elements of strength training, Pilates, and yoga. While we emphasize core - this probably means more to us than it does to the average person. You see we break the core into into upper, mid, and lower core, ensuring you engage all the right stabilizing muscles while training your whole body. Each workout includes stretching, mobility, stability, balance, and strength. As you progress, your workouts will evolve, incorporating dynamic plyometrics and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) if you and your coach decide this is appropriate to meet your goals. It’s a “hurts so good” experience—challenging yet joint-friendly!

Will AXIUS replace my current workout?

If you have a current workout routine, AXIUS will likely end up replacing a significant portion of it, if not the whole thing. Since AXIUS is progression-based, you’ll start with lower intensity levels, allowing you to initially supplement your existing routine. As you advance through the program, the workouts become more challenging, enabling you to push your body harder while maintaining safety. This natural progression allows AXIUS to evolve into your primary, or even sole, fitness regimen. The deeper you go, the more physically taxing the workouts become, ensuring continuous improvement in both your golf game and overall fitness.

Why can’t I just buy the equipment?

The AXIUS Core Unit is an incredible tool that challenges your balance, strength, and flexibility. However, precision is key, and it won’t deliver results on its own. Our membership ensures you know exactly how to train your body with the Core Unit, leading to faster, more effective results.

How does the coaching work?

Your coach is a Titleist Performance Institute Level 3 Certified professional who understands how your biomechanics impact your golf swing. To start you'll meet with your coach for a 30-minute video assessment call so your coach can begin to customize your program. You'll be issued three 30-minute workouts each week through our mobile app. As you complete your workouts you'll be automatically video recorded by our mobile app and your videos will be sent to your personal coach, who will review, grade, and provide corrective audio feedback. AXIUS is all about results, and our program works because of these small biomechanical coaching corrections. It’s not just about choosing the right exercises, while that's important—it’s about performing them correctly. Your coach provides feedback to ensure you’re engaging the right muscles, guaranteeing performance improvements for the time you invest.

What if I travel?

Your coach will provide you with non-equipment custom travel workouts so you can easily do your workout anywhere, ensuring you'll never miss a beat!