Early Extension in Golf: Causes and Fixes

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Early Extension in Golf: What It Is and Why It’s Bad

One of the most common swing flaws in golf is early extension. This occurs when the golfer’s hips extend too early in the downswing, causing the club to come from behind the body and across the target line. This can lead to a number of problems, including:

  • Loss of power: When the hips extend early, the golfer’s body is no longer in a position to generate maximum clubhead speed. This can lead to shots that are short and/or topped.
  • Shaft lean: As the hips extend early, the shaft of the club will tend to lean forward. This can make it difficult to square the clubface at impact, leading to shots that are pulled or sliced.
  • Loss of control: When the hips extend early, the golfer’s body is no longer in a position to control the clubhead. This can lead to shots that are erratic and unpredictable.

If you’re struggling with early extension, there are a number of things you can do to correct the problem. Here are a few tips:

  • Slow down your swing: One of the best ways to correct early extension is to simply slow down your swing. This will give you more time to let the clubhead lag behind your body and will help you to avoid extending your hips too early.
  • Focus on keeping your lower body in place: As you swing down, focus on keeping your hips and knees from extending too early. This will help you to maintain a good balance and will keep the clubhead from coming from behind the body.
  • Practice with a mirror: One of the best ways to learn how to correct early extension is to practice with a mirror. This will allow you to see what your body is doing and make adjustments accordingly.

Early extension is a common problem, but it can be corrected with practice and patience. By following these tips, you can improve your swing and hit more consistent, accurate shots.

Early Extension Causes Solutions
The early extension is a golf swing fault in which the golfer’s hips extend too early in the downswing.
  • Over-the-top swing
  • Reverse pivot
  • Weak grip
  • Lack of flexibility
  • Take a wider stance
  • Keep your weight on your front foot
  • Turn your hips and shoulders together
  • Strengthen your core muscles

Early extension is a swing fault in golf that occurs when the golfer’s hips extend too early in the downswing. This causes the club to come from behind the body and across the line of play, resulting in a variety of problems, including:

  • A slice or hook shot
  • A loss of power
  • A topped or thin shot

Early extension can be caused by a number of factors, including:

  • A weak core
  • A lack of flexibility
  • A poor swing plane

What is Early Extension?

Early extension is a swing fault that occurs when the golfer’s hips extend too early in the downswing. This means that the golfer’s hips move forward before the clubhead reaches the ball. This causes the club to come from behind the body and across the line of play, resulting in a variety of problems.

What Causes Early Extension?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to early extension, including:

  • A weak core: The core muscles are responsible for stabilizing the body during the golf swing. If the core is weak, it will be difficult to maintain a proper posture and swing plane, which can lead to early extension.
  • A lack of flexibility: Flexibility is important for allowing the golfer to make a full turn during the backswing and downswing. If the golfer is not flexible enough, they may be forced to extend their hips early in order to make contact with the ball.
  • A poor swing plane: The swing plane is the path that the clubhead travels during the swing. If the swing plane is too flat, it will be difficult to maintain a proper posture and swing path, which can lead to early extension.

How Does Early Extension Affect the Golf Swing?

Early extension can have a number of negative effects on the golf swing, including:

  • A slice or hook shot: When the hips extend too early, the clubhead comes from behind the body and across the line of play. This can cause the clubhead to swing out to the right for a right-handed golfer (a slice) or to the left for a left-handed golfer (a hook).
  • A loss of power: When the hips extend too early, the clubhead is not able to build up as much speed as it would if the hips extended later in the downswing. This can result in a loss of power and distance on the golf shot.
  • A topped or thin shot: When the hips extend too early, the clubhead is not able to make contact with the ball squarely. This can result in a topped shot (the ball is hit too high on the clubface) or a thin shot (the ball is hit too low on the clubface).

How to Correct Early Extension

There are a number of things that golfers can do to correct early extension, including:

  • Strengthening the core: The core muscles are essential for stabilizing the body during the golf swing. Golfers can strengthen their core by doing exercises such as sit-ups, crunches, and planks.
  • Improving flexibility: Flexibility is important for allowing the golfer to make a full turn during the backswing and downswing. Golfers can improve their flexibility by doing exercises such as stretching and yoga.
  • Adjusting the swing plane: The swing plane is the path that the clubhead travels during the swing. Golfers can adjust their swing plane by taking lessons from a qualified instructor.

Early extension is a common swing fault that can cause a variety of problems, including slices, hooks, a loss of power, and topped or thin shots. Golfers can correct early extension by strengthening their core, improving their flexibility, and adjusting their swing plane.

Additional Resources

  • [Golf Tips: How to Correct Early Extension](https://www.golf.com/instruction/tips/how-to-correct-early-extension)
  • [Early Extension: What It Is and How to Fix It](https://www.pga.com/tips/early-extension-what-it-and-how-fix-it)
  • [Early Extension Drills to Improve Your Golf Swing](https://www.golfdigest.com/story/early-extension-drills-to-improve-your-golf-swing)

What Does Early Extension Cause In Golf?

Early extension is a common swing fault that can lead to a number of problems, including a decrease in clubhead speed, a loss of accuracy, and an increase in injuries.

A Decrease in Clubhead Speed

When you extend your body too early in the downswing, you are essentially “taking the club out of the slot.” This means that the club is no longer in a position to generate maximum clubhead speed. As a result, your swing will be slower and you will not be able to hit the ball as far.

A Loss of Accuracy

Early extension can also lead to a loss of accuracy. When you extend your body too early, you are not in control of the clubhead. This can cause the clubhead to swing out of control and to miss the ball.

An Increase in Injuries

Finally, early extension can also lead to an increase in injuries. When you extend your body too early, you are putting a lot of stress on your back and your knees. This can lead to pain and injuries.

How to Correct Early Extension

If you are struggling with early extension, there are a few things you can do to correct the problem.

  • Take a lesson from a qualified golf instructor. A golf instructor can help you identify the cause of your early extension and develop a plan to correct the problem.
  • Strengthen your core muscles. A strong core is essential for a good golf swing. When your core muscles are strong, you are better able to control your body and to keep your spine in a neutral position during the swing.
  • Improve your flexibility. Good flexibility is also important for a good golf swing. When you are flexible, you are able to make a full turn backswing and to swing the club through impact without any restrictions.
  • Practice your swing with a mirror. Watching yourself swing in a mirror can help you to identify any flaws in your swing. You can also use a mirror to practice making corrections to your swing.

Early extension is a common swing fault that can lead to a number of problems. However, it is a problem that can be corrected with the right instruction and practice. By following the tips in this article, you can improve your swing and your golf game.

The Effects of Early Extension

Early extension can have a number of negative effects on a golfer’s swing, including:

  • A decrease in clubhead speed
  • A loss of accuracy
  • An increase in injuries

A Decrease in Clubhead Speed

When you extend your body too early in the downswing, you are essentially “taking the club out of the slot.” This means that the club is no longer in a position to generate maximum clubhead speed. As a result, your swing will be slower and you will not be able to hit the ball as far.

A Loss of Accuracy

Early extension can also lead to a loss of accuracy. When you extend your body too early, you are not in control of the clubhead. This can cause the clubhead to swing out of control and to miss the ball.

An Increase in Injuries

Finally, early extension can also lead to an increase in injuries. When you extend your body too early, you are putting a lot of stress on your back and your knees. This can lead to pain and injuries.

How to Correct Early Extension

If you are struggling with early extension, there are a few things you can do to correct the problem.

  • Take a lesson from a qualified golf instructor. A golf instructor can help you identify the cause of your early extension and develop a plan to correct the problem.
  • Strengthen your core muscles. A strong core is essential for a good golf swing. When your core muscles are strong, you are better able to control your body and to keep your spine in a neutral position during the swing.
  • Improve your flexibility. Good flexibility is also important for a good golf swing. When you are flexible, you are able to make a full turn backswing and to swing the club through impact without any restrictions.
  • Practice your swing with a mirror. Watching yourself swing in a mirror can help you to identify any flaws in your swing. You can also use a mirror to practice making corrections to your swing.

Early extension is a common swing fault that can lead to a number of problems. However, it is a problem that can be corrected with the right instruction and practice. By following the tips in this article, you can improve your swing and your golf game.

Prevention

The best way

What is early extension in golf?

Early extension is a common swing fault that occurs when the golfer’s hips extend too early in the downswing. This can cause a number of problems, including:

  • Loss of power
  • Increased clubhead speed
  • Reduced accuracy
  • Increased chance of injury

What causes early extension?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to early extension, including:

  • Incorrect swing plane: If the golfer’s swing plane is too steep, it can cause them to extend their hips too early in the downswing in an attempt to compensate.
  • Weak core muscles: A strong core is essential for maintaining a stable and balanced golf swing. If the golfer’s core muscles are weak, they may not be able to control their body’s rotation during the swing, which can lead to early extension.
  • Over-the-top swing: A swing that is too “over-the-top” can also cause early extension. This occurs when the golfer’s clubhead swings outside of the target line on the downswing. This can cause the golfer to have to “flip” their wrists at impact in order to square the clubface, which can lead to early extension.

How can I fix early extension?

There are a number of things you can do to fix early extension, including:

  • Take a lesson from a qualified instructor: An instructor can help you identify the cause of your early extension and develop a plan to correct it.
  • Practice with a mirror: Watching yourself swing in a mirror can help you identify any flaws in your swing, including early extension.
  • Use drills: There are a number of drills that can help you improve your swing and correct early extension.
  • Strengthen your core muscles: A strong core is essential for a stable and balanced golf swing.
  • Slow down your swing: Trying to swing too fast can lead to early extension. Focus on taking a smooth, controlled swing.

What are the consequences of early extension?

Early extension can have a number of negative consequences, including:

  • Loss of power: When the hips extend too early, it can cause the clubhead to lose speed. This can lead to shorter, less powerful shots.
  • Increased clubhead speed: When the hips extend too early, it can also cause the clubhead to swing too fast. This can lead to mis-hits and increased risk of injury.
  • Reduced accuracy: Early extension can make it difficult to control the clubface, which can lead to shots that are off-target.
  • Increased chance of injury: Early extension can put stress on the golfer’s back, hips, and knees. This can increase the risk of injury.

How can I prevent early extension?

There are a number of things you can do to prevent early extension, including:

  • Take a lesson from a qualified instructor: An instructor can help you identify the cause of your early extension and develop a plan to prevent it.
  • Practice with a mirror: Watching yourself swing in a mirror can help you identify any flaws in your swing, including early extension.
  • Use drills: There are a number of drills that can help you improve your swing and prevent early extension.
  • Strengthen your core muscles: A strong core is essential for a stable and balanced golf swing.
  • Slow down your swing: Trying to swing too fast can lead to early extension. Focus on taking a smooth, controlled swing.

    early extension is a common golf swing fault that can lead to a variety of problems, including loss of power, inconsistency, and injury. By understanding the causes of early extension and the steps you can take to correct it, you can improve your golf swing and lower your scores.

Here are some key takeaways:

  • Early extension occurs when the golfer’s hips extend too quickly during the downswing, causing the club to come from behind the body.
  • This can lead to a number of problems, including:
  • Loss of power
  • Inconsistency
  • Injury
  • To correct early extension, golfers should focus on delaying their hip extension until after the club has passed through impact.
  • This can be done by:
  • Keeping the lower body quiet during the downswing
  • Using a wider stance
  • Swinging the club more around the body
  • With practice, golfers can learn to correct early extension and improve their golf swing.

Author Profile

Matthew Woods
Matthew Woods
Hello, fellow golf enthusiasts! I’m Matthew Woods, the founder of GolfPGAChampionship.com.

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