Best Fix For Early Extension

This lesson is all about removing that early extension from your golf swing, both in the backswing (for those of you who get closer to the ball), and also in the downswing (for those of you who jump up onto your toes).

What is early extension?
Early extension is when your pelvis moves towards the ball, either in the backswing, downswing, follow-through, or at any point in the swing. A major difference between pro and amateur golfers is the depth to their hip turn, in both the backswing and the downswing. Professional golfers display a nice full rotation of the hips

The problem
The problem with early extension is that it causes you to straighten up in the backswing. Many players who make a good backswing then suck their pelvis towards the ball on the way through. This causes many errors and inconsistencies with your ball striking.
In the backswing, recreational golfers tend to lock their right hip in place and turn around the hip. As they turn around the right hip, the left hip pulls them off the original starting line. This gets to a stage in which the body has extended up before they’ve even got to the downswing.
In the downswing, many recreational golfers begin to rotate around their left hip, forcing their right hip to kick out giving a “disco Dave” look, where the right knee pops out, causing many errors.

The solution
Here’s a simple drill to help you prevent early extension, using an alignment stick as a reference point for where your hips should be throughout the swing:

1.  With the alignment stick behind you as you make your backswing, your right glute should push the stick back. You should feel your weight and pressure going into the inside of your trail heel. That’s going to create a lot of coil and pressure into the ground which you can then use to store up and release into the follow-through.
2. At the top of the swing, the right glute should be sitting back into the alignment stick. You will notice a slight straightening of that right leg. You’re not locking it out by any means but it does straighten slightly, providing you with a lot of depth to your swing.
3. Going from transition into the downswing, you’re left glute should push the stick back and your left leg straightens. Stay down in your posture; do not stand up and straighten your body. Not staying down will lead to inconsistencies with where the bottom of your swing lands, and also with clubface control. The more you stay in your posture the more the right glute goes back in the backswing and the left glute goes back in the downswing, and you will hit better shots.

 Summary: Ensure that the right hip goes back when you make your backswing and the left hip goes back in the downswing, displaying a nice full rotation of the hips. A combination of these two things will help you stay in your posture a lot better.

 
Watch the full video here: