Trevor Ng
Early extension is a common issue in golf that can affect consistency in ball striking. It refers to the forward movement of the lower body, particularly the pelvis, towards the golf ball during the backswing or downswing, resulting in the golfer's arms getting trapped behind them. This can lead to a two-way miss, with the ball either blocked to the right or hooked to the left. Early extension may be caused by physical limitations in the upper or lower body, such as limited mobility in the spine, hips, knees, or ankles, and can be addressed through drills, stretching, and strengthening the core.
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What You'll Learn
Early extension is a common swing killer
The early extension can lead to two main misses: the push block right and the hook left. This is because your hands and arms are left behind your body, causing the club path to push right or a last-minute correction, creating a nasty hook. This two-way miss brings both sides of the golf course into play, making the game much harder.
There are several reasons why early extension may occur. One reason could be a physical problem or limited mobility in the upper or lower body, such as the spine, knees, hips, or ankles. To test this, try a bodyweight squat; if you can't go below parallel, you're more likely to extend early. To fix this, focus on stretching, massages, yoga, and strengthening your core to improve mobility and stability.
Another reason for early extension could be incorrect weight transfer during the swing. Instead of keeping your weight centred or towards the inside of your feet, those who struggle with early extension tend to move their weight towards their toes on the downswing. This makes it difficult to square the clubface and results in a loss of power.
To fix early extension, it's important to teach your body the proper feels. One drill is to get into your golf posture with your backside against a push cart. As you swing, try to push the cart back with your butt, preventing you from thrusting forward. This simple drill can help improve your consistency and power.
In conclusion, early extension is a common swing killer that can affect many golfers. By understanding the causes and implementing the correct drills and techniques, golfers can improve their consistency and performance.
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It occurs when the pelvis moves towards the ball
Early extension in golf is a subtle shift that can happen during your backswing or downswing, causing havoc on your consistency. It occurs when there is a forward movement of your pelvis and hips towards the golf ball, instead of rotating around your lower body. This move makes your chest get further away from the ground, and your arms will straighten out and get stuck behind your body. You might hear golfers say, "I'm getting stuck", which is another term used to describe early extension.
When you extend early, the two main misses that occur are the push block right and the hook left. These are big misses that bring both sides of the golf course into play, making the game much harder. To avoid these misses, it is crucial to diagnose early extension and fix the issue as soon as possible.
One reason for early extension may be a physical problem in the upper or lower body, such as limited mobility in the spine, knees, hips, or ankles. To test your mobility, try doing a bodyweight squat; if you can't go below parallel, you're more likely to extend early. To fix this issue, focus on stretching, staying active, and doing lower body and core work.
To prevent early extension, you need to teach your body the proper feels. One drill is to get into your golf posture with your backside up against a push cart. Make a swing while trying to push the cart back with your butt during the transition. This will help you keep your pelvis from thrusting forward, improving your consistency.
Working with a coach or using tools like HackMotion can also help you identify and correct early extension in your swing. It's important to note that fixing early extension takes consistent practice and won't happen overnight.
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It can cause a two-way miss
Early extension is a common issue among amateur golfers, but it is rarely seen in professionals. It is characterised by the forward movement of the pelvis and hips towards the golf ball, instead of rotating around the body. This causes the chest to lift away from the ground, and the arms to straighten and get stuck behind the body. As a result, the golfer's body cannot rotate properly, and the hands and arms compensate with a flick of the wrists, which causes a two-way miss.
The two-way miss, or the "big miss", refers to the ball being blocked to the right or hooked to the left. In the first case, the arms stay stuck behind the body, causing the block. In the second case, the golfer tries to compensate by flipping the club at the last minute, resulting in a hook to the left. These misses bring both sides of the golf course into play, making the game much harder.
Early extension often occurs due to limited mobility in the golfer's body, such as the spine, knees, hips, or ankles. Golfers with inadequate mobility in their trail and lead hip may also tend to extend early. This stiffness forces the golfer to alter their spine angle and posture during the swing, making it harder to control the club and resulting in a loss of distance.
To fix early extension, golfers should focus on improving their flexibility and mobility, especially in the lower body and core. Stretching, massages, and yoga can help relax the muscles and improve overall mobility. Additionally, golfers can perform specific drills, such as the one suggested by Jonathan Yarwood, to improve their consistency and avoid early extension.
By addressing the underlying physical limitations and practising correct movement patterns, golfers can reduce the likelihood of early extension and improve their overall performance.
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It can be caused by poor flexibility
A golf swing requires a complex combination of movements, and any slight deviation from the ideal swing path can lead to errors and inconsistencies. Early extension is one such error, and it occurs when a golfer begins to extend their spine and straighten their body before impact with the golf ball. This premature extension can cause a host of issues, leading to inaccurate and inconsistent shots.
One of the primary causes of early extension is poor flexibility. Golfers who lack sufficient flexibility in their hips, spine, and shoulders may find it challenging to maintain their posture and make a full, fluid swing. As a result, they may compensate by extending their spine early to gain more room for movement. This often leads to a loss of power and control as the golfer is no longer swinging in a fluid, cohesive motion.
The hips and spine should work together in a golf swing, with the hips initiating the downswing and the spine angle maintained until after impact. Poor flexibility can disrupt this sequence, causing the upper body to move independently of the lower body. This separation leads to an early extension as the upper body attempts to 'catch up' with the hips, resulting in a premature straightening of the spine.
Additionally, tight shoulder muscles can contribute to early extension. If the shoulders lack the necessary flexibility to make a full turn, the golfer may compensate by lifting or extending the spine to create more room for the shoulders to turn. This again leads to a disruption in the swing sequence and a loss of power and accuracy.
To prevent early extension caused by poor flexibility, golfers should incorporate stretching and mobility exercises into their routine. Focus on exercises that target the hips, spine, and shoulders to improve overall flexibility and mobility. Improving flexibility in these areas will help golfers maintain their posture, make a full turn, and sequence their swing correctly, ultimately reducing the likelihood of early extension and improving their overall performance.
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It can be fixed with practice and drills
Early extension in golf occurs when a golfer stands up too early during the downswing, disrupting the ideal body alignment and distance from the ball. This can lead to a loss of power and inconsistent contact with the golf ball. While it is not necessarily a swing fault, it can be detrimental to a golfer's performance and is often misunderstood.
To fix early extension, it is important to understand that it is a symptom of another issue, rather than the cause. Simply focusing on maintaining posture and spine angle during the swing may not be effective and could even be detrimental. Instead, addressing the root cause of early extension is crucial. This may involve improving body rotation, weight transfer, and hip movement.
One way to fix early extension is to focus on maintaining proper posture and spine angle throughout the swing. This can be practiced through various drills, such as the "head-on-the-wall" drill, where the golfer stands as if to hit a golf ball and rests their forehead on a wall. The drill helps improve body rotation and awareness of early extension tendencies.
Another drill to fix early extension is to use an alignment stick or a push cart. The golfer sets up to hit a ball and ensures their backside remains connected to the stick or cart during the swing. This helps prevent the pelvis from thrusting forward, improving consistency and power.
Additionally, focusing on proper wrist angles and a square clubface can help reduce early extension. Drills that encourage a proper hip hinge and stability, such as the "split-grip" drill, can also be beneficial. Strengthening the core and glutes can also improve control and balance, contributing to fixing early extension.
While early extension may not be a quick fix, consistent practice with these drills can help groove new swing mechanics and improve overall performance. It is important to note that early extension may not always need to be fixed, and some golfers can still play well despite it. However, addressing early extension can lead to more consistent and controlled shots for most golfers.
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Frequently asked questions
Early extension is a subtle shift that happens during the backswing or downswing, causing inconsistency. It is when the pelvis moves towards the golf ball, instead of rotating around the lower body.
Early extension is caused by a lack of mobility in the golfer's body, especially in the spine, knees, hips, and ankles. This stiffness forces the golfer to alter their spine and posture during the swing.
When golfers extend early, they often experience a two-way miss, with the ball either pushed block right or hooked left. This is because the golfer's arms get trapped behind them, causing a right-handed player to either block the ball to the right or hook it to the left.
Golfers can fix early extension by improving their mobility through stretching, massages, and yoga. They can also focus on strengthening their core to help them stay back and rotate properly during the swing. Additionally, golfers can work with a coach or use drills to improve their swing technique and avoid early extension.
