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The 12 basic swing faults can all be traced back to physical limitations.

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5. Early Extension

  

(Part of Loss of Posture)

64.2% of players Early Extend
Early Extension occurs when the hips and spine of a golfer start to go into extension or straighten up too early on the downswing. This can be seen when the hips and pelvis move closer to the ball on the downswing. Early Extension causes the upper body to lift up allowing the golfer to maintain their balance. The lower body does not easily rotate through impact, instead it pushes forward and the person stands up.

Players ill often complain of being stuck or trapped with their arms on the downswing. This is because the lower body has moved into the space where the arms need to go. The result can be a block or hook as the hands and arms desperately try to deliver the club to the ball. Because o Early Extension if golfers don't do anything with their hands through impact they may actually shank some shots because they are closer to the ball than they were at address.

In order to not early extend during the downswing several physical characteristics must be developed.


   1. S-posture
   2. C-posture
   3. Loss of Posture
   4. Flat Shoulder Plane
   6. Over-the-top
   7. Sway
   8. Slide
   9. Reverse Spine Angle
   10. Hanging Back
   11. Casting/Early Release
   12. Chicken Winging
  • Foremost, research has shown that any limitation in performing a full deep overhead squat can force a player to early extend during the downswing. These limitations may alter a good address position and force players to change their spinal posture throughout the golf swing. The Overhead Deep Squat Test best evaluates these limitation.
  • The ability to separate the upper body from the lower body allows the golfer to maintain stable posture and proper sequence of motion during the swing. Limited thorax-to-pelvis separation is usually caused by reduced spinal mobility and shortened lat flexibility. This separation is best evaluated using the Pelvic Rotation Test, Torso Rotation Test, Seated Trunk Rotation and the Lat Test.
  • Internal rotation of the lead hip is paramount for allowing the lower body to fully rotate without forward thrust toward the golf ball. If the pelvis is unable to rotate around the lead hip due to joint or muscular restrictions then forward and lateral movements will dominate the pattern. Lead hip internal rotation is best evaluated using the Lower Quarter Rotation Test.
  • Finally, the ability to stabilise your lower body is directly proportional to gluteal and abdominal strength. A stable neutral pelvic posture helps prevent the lower body from thrusting toward the golf ball during the swing. This stability and strength is best evaluated using the Pelvic Tilt Test, the Leg Lowering Test, and the Bridge with Leg Extension Test.