Improve your with these 10 drills to stop early extension. Enhance , , weight shift, and more for a better swing.
Drills to Stop Early Extension Golf
Early extension is a common swing flaw in golf that occurs when the hips move towards the ball during the downswing, causing the upper body to straighten up too soon. This leads to a loss of power and accuracy in the golf swing. Fortunately, there are several drills that can help golfers correct this issue and improve their swing. In this section, we will explore ten effective drills that target different aspects of the swing to stop early extension in golf.
Hip Rotation Drill
One of the key factors in preventing early extension is maintaining proper throughout the swing. The drill focuses on developing the correct sequence of hip movement and promoting a more efficient swing. Here’s how to perform the drill:
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and a golf club across your shoulders.
- Take your address position and make a backswing, focusing on turning your hips while keeping your upper body stable.
- As you start the downswing, concentrate on maintaining your and avoiding any forward movement of the hips towards the ball.
- Continue the swing and finish in a balanced position, with your hips facing the target.
This drill helps train your body to rotate properly during the swing, which can prevent early extension and improve your ball-striking ability.
Wall Drill
The wall drill is an excellent exercise to prevent early extension by promoting the correct sequencing of the swing and maintaining proper posture throughout. Here’s how to perform the drill:
- Stand with your back against a wall and assume your golf address position.
- Hold a golf club across your shoulders and make a backswing, ensuring that your lower back remains in contact with the wall.
- As you start the downswing, focus on maintaining contact with the wall throughout the movement.
- Avoid any excessive forward movement of your hips towards the wall, emphasizing the rotation of your upper body instead.
- Complete the swing and finish with your hips facing the target, still in contact with the wall.
This drill helps train your body to stay connected and maintain the correct posture throughout the swing, preventing early extension and promoting a more consistent ball strike.
Alignment Stick Drill
The stick drill is a simple yet effective way to develop proper hip movement and prevent early extension. Here’s how to perform the drill:
- Place an stick or a golf club parallel to your target line, just outside your lead foot.
- Assume your golf address position and make a backswing, focusing on maintaining the stick parallel to the target line.
- As you start the downswing, concentrate on avoiding any forward movement of your hips towards the alignment stick.
- Instead, focus on rotating your hips and keeping them centered over your feet throughout the swing.
- Complete the swing and finish with your hips facing the target, still parallel to the stick.
This drill helps train your body to maintain proper hip movement and prevent early extension, resulting in a more powerful and accurate golf swing.
Weight Shift Drill
Proper weight shift is crucial in preventing early extension and maintaining balance throughout the golf swing. The weight shift drill helps golfers develop a smooth transfer of weight from backswing to downswing. Here’s how to perform the drill:
- Start by assuming your golf address position with a golf club across your shoulders.
- Make a backswing, focusing on shifting your weight onto your trail leg while maintaining your balance.
- As you start the downswing, initiate the weight transfer towards your lead leg, ensuring a gradual and controlled shift.
- Avoid any sudden or excessive movement that may cause early extension.
- Complete the swing and finish in a balanced position, with most of your weight on your lead leg.
This drill helps golfers develop a proper weight shift and maintain stability throughout the swing, reducing the risk of early extension and improving overall swing consistency.
Mirror Drill
The mirror drill is an excellent visual feedback tool to help golfers correct early extension and improve their swing mechanics. Here’s how to perform the drill:
- Set up a mirror in front of you, preferably with enough space to see your entire golf swing.
- Assume your golf address position and make a backswing, focusing on maintaining your posture and avoiding any forward movement of your hips.
- As you start the downswing, observe your reflection in the mirror and ensure that your hips stay back and rotate properly.
- Avoid any excessive straightening of your upper body or forward movement of your hips towards the mirror.
- Complete the swing and finish with your hips properly rotated and your upper body in a balanced position.
The mirror drill provides immediate visual feedback, allowing golfers to make necessary adjustments and prevent early extension by maintaining proper posture and .
Impact Bag Drill
The impact bag drill is a fantastic drill to help golfers develop the correct impact position and prevent early extension. Here’s how to perform the drill:
- Set up an impact bag or a folded towel in front of you, representing the position where the golf ball would be at impact.
- Assume your golf address position and make a backswing, focusing on maintaining your posture and avoiding any forward movement of your hips.
- As you start the downswing, concentrate on delivering the clubhead into the impact bag, ensuring that your hips stay back and rotate correctly.
- Avoid any early extension by keeping your lower body stable and not thrusting your hips towards the impact bag.
- Complete the swing and finish with your hips properly rotated and your upper body in a balanced position.
The impact bag drill helps golfers develop a proper impact position, preventing early extension and promoting a more powerful and accurate golf swing.
Pause Drill
The pause drill is an effective way to train your body to maintain proper posture and prevent early extension throughout the golf swing. Here’s how to perform the drill:
- Assume your golf address position and make a backswing, focusing on maintaining your posture and avoiding any forward movement of your hips.
- As you start the downswing, pause for a brief moment at the top of your swing before transitioning into the downswing.
- During the pause, concentrate on keeping your lower body stable and your hips back, resisting the urge to extend too soon.
- After the pause, continue the swing and complete it with a balanced finish, emphasizing proper .
- Repeat the drill, gradually increasing the speed and fluidity of the swing while maintaining the pause.
The pause drill helps golfers develop awareness of their hip movement and prevents early extension by promoting a smooth and controlled transition from backswing to downswing.
Resistance Band Drill
The resistance band drill is an excellent exercise to strengthen the muscles involved in and prevent early extension. Here’s how to perform the drill:
- Attach a resistance band to a sturdy anchor point and stand facing the anchor point.
- Assume your golf address position and hold the other end of the resistance band with both hands, across your chest.
- Make a backswing, focusing on maintaining your posture and avoiding any forward movement of your hips.
- As you start the downswing, concentrate on rotating your hips while resisting the pull of the resistance band.
- Complete the swing and finish with your hips properly rotated and your upper body in a balanced position.
The resistance band drill helps golfers strengthen the muscles necessary for proper , preventing early extension and improving overall swing mechanics.
Tempo Drill
The tempo drill is an effective way to develop a smooth and controlled swing, preventing early extension and promoting consistency. Here’s how to perform the drill:
- Assume your golf address position and make a backswing at a slow and controlled pace.
- Focus on maintaining your posture and avoiding any sudden or excessive movement of your hips.
- As you start the downswing, match the tempo of your backswing and maintain a smooth transition.
- Concentrate on keeping your lower body stable and your hips back, resisting any urge to extend too soon.
- Complete the swing and finish in a balanced position, emphasizing proper .
The helps golfers develop a consistent swing rhythm, preventing early extension by promoting a smooth and controlled transition from backswing to downswing.
Pelvic Tilt Drill
The pelvic tilt drill is a great exercise to help golfers understand and correct their pelvic movement, preventing early extension. Here’s how to perform the drill:
- Assume your golf address position and make a backswing, focusing on maintaining your posture and avoiding any forward movement of your hips.
- As you start the downswing, concentrate on tilting your pelvis towards the target rather than shifting it forward.
- Avoid any excessive straightening or hinging of your lower back during the movement.
- Complete the swing and finish with your hips properly rotated and your upper body in a balanced position.
The pelvic tilt drill helps golfers develop the correct pelvic movement, preventing early extension and improving overall swing mechanics.
In conclusion, early extension in golf can be a frustrating issue that affects both power and accuracy in the swing. However, with the help of these ten drills, golfers can target different aspects of their swing and work towards correcting early extension. By focusing on , maintaining proper posture, developing a smooth weight shift, and using visual feedback tools, golfers can improve their swing mechanics and prevent early extension. Incorporating these drills into your practice routine will help you develop a more consistent and powerful golf swing, leading to better results on the course.
