“My hips always sit open”: Charley Hull details her biggest physical setback after injury at age 17

Charley Hull, one of the world’s top golfers, has had to overcome a significant physical setback since suffering a hip injury at age 17. Hull recalls falling down a wet step, leading to a long-standing issue where her hips remain open during her golf swing. This limitation affects her rotation, particularly in her backswing.

To mitigate the impact on her performance, Hull undergoes regular physiotherapy and focuses on specific exercises, such as Bulgarian split squats, which help stabilize her hips. While she admits she still dislikes these workouts, they are crucial in ensuring she remains competitive at the highest level of the sport.

Despite these challenges, Hull continues to excel, currently ranking 12th in the world and boasting two LPGA Tour victories. Her trainer emphasizes that the exercises “level her hips off at impact,” a critical adjustment for her swing. Even though she lacks the full hip rotation compared to other golfers, Hull’s resilience and commitment to improvement are evident.

Her performance at the 2024 Solheim Cup, where she defeated World No. 1 Nelly Korda, further solidified her standing as one of golf’s elite, earning praise from golfing legend Dame Laura Davies, who believes Hull is on the verge of breaking through to win a major championship.