If you want more pars, let’s make sure that you’re not early extending. What does that mean? As you come into the downswing, you lose your flexion… the crease in your hips that you created at address and your lower body moves towards the ball during your downswing. We call this flexion, and it can cause blocked shots to the right, and hooks to the left (for right-handers).
As we turn into our backswing, we want to maintain this crease. Watch this short video to see what I mean.
Everyone has their own triggers, so let’s give you a few tips to help rid yourself of early extension. Try each one to see which works best for you.
TIP 1 – Swing In Neutral
The first thing I want to address is potential causes and one of the main ones is your back so when you get set up, make sure you’re not in s-posture (an excessive arch in your lower back). If your tailbone is really high because you were told to get your bottom out and up, that’s going to create a lot of tension in your back.
Instead, let’s neutralize your lower back so you can swing in neutral. A great way to do it is to feel the contrast: Butt-tuck with your pelvis. Excessively arch..butt-tuck…find neutral. It’s like Goldilocks and the three backs!
TIP 2 – Imaginary Wall
When you get to the top of the backswing, imagine there’s a wall in front of your legs. You can’t break the wall, during the downswing. To do this, move your back knee in towards the front one, not out towards the ball.
TIP 3 – Find a Couch
At home, head to your couch. Position your bottom on the edge of the couch. Turn into your backswing maintaining contact to the couch with your back bottom cheek.
On the downswing, make sure that the front side (front cheek) touches the edge of the couch. Essentially, your bottom maintains contact to the couch edge… back and through.
TIP 4 – Chest Over the Ball
Another great one is to keep your chest over the ball, back and through. As you turn into your backswing, keep chest pointing down toward the ground. Maintain this feeling, during the downswing. If you early extend, your chest will face upwards, during the downswing.
TIP 5 – Take a Seat
Imagine yourself in a seat and note your hips creases. Maintain these creases in your hips, as you move into your downswing. Early extenders, lose this crease and eject out of their seat. Instead, stay in your seat with your seatbelt fastened.
TIP 6 – Lead with your Lead Glute
Lead the downswing with your front side. So as you transition, lead with your lead glute. If you early extend, your bottom gets tucked and moves out toward the ball, forcing you out of your posture.
So, try these tips to help you get rid of early extension!… and let’s get more pars.
Christina
