Why Early Extension Kills Your Ball Striking
Early extension is one of the biggest killers of consistency and solid strikes in the golf swing. If you suffer with it, you know the frustration: you set up beautifully at address, but as you start the downswing, your hips move closer to the ball, you get cramped for room, and your posture is lost. The result? Thin shots, tops, toe strikes, and a real battle to control the clubface and the path.
I know this struggle myself and have seen it countless times with clients. But I’ve found an incredibly effective drill, inspired by how some tour pros approach their setup, that transforms both how you move through the ball and the quality of your strike. If you want to see this in action, have a look at Taylor Dixon’s recent Cornferry Tour win – it’s an eye-opener.
The Drill: Club Head Outside the Ball
Here’s what you do. Set up to the ball as normal, but deliberately place the club head well outside the golf ball at address – almost as if you’d miss the ball completely if you made your usual swing. It feels extreme at first, but that’s the point. This forces your body to find a way to deliver the club back to the ball, creating space through impact rather than losing it.
When you swing from this position, your brain and body have to figure out how to move the hips back and get the chest down, so you can actually strike the ball. It’s a fantastic exercise to break the habit of moving towards the ball – the root of early extension.
Why This Drill Works
By exaggerating the setup, your body learns to push into the ground and move away from the ball during the downswing. Imagine you’re about to jump backwards – that’s the sensation you want in your feet and hips as you start down. This movement keeps your posture intact, your hips back, and your chest down, giving you the room to deliver the club consistently to the ball.
Even if you don’t hit it perfectly every time at first, you’ll quickly notice more solid strikes, better face control, and a more consistent low point. For some, the improvement is immediate. For others, it takes a few swings to get that feeling. Stick with it – the benefits are well worth it.
Don’t Worry About Looking Textbook
One of the biggest lessons from watching top players is that they care about what works, not what looks perfect. Taylor Dixon himself has said if he set up “properly”, he wouldn’t be anywhere near as good. This drill started as a practice exercise for many tour pros, but some now use it in competition because it simply works.
So, don’t obsess over textbook positions. If setting up with the club outside the ball helps you move correctly and strike it better, why not use it? It’s your results that count.
How to Progress With the Drill
Start by exaggerating the setup – club head way outside the ball. As you gain confidence and see the improvement, you can dial it back, perhaps addressing the ball off the heel but maintaining that feeling of moving the hips back and chest down through impact.
If you’re still struggling to get the hang of it, focus on pushing your feet into the ground as you start the downswing, as though you’re jumping backwards. This will help you keep the hips away from the ball and maintain your posture.
Make It Work for You
I’ve used this drill myself and with many clients, including junior golfers. The transformation in strike and control is fantastic. Try it with your irons to start, but once you’re comfortable, there’s no reason you can’t use it with every club in the bag, just like the pros.
If you want step-by-step personalised guidance on this or any other part of your swing, I offer online lessons through Skillest where we can work together on your game, no matter where you’re based.
Watch the Drill in Action
Ready to see this in action and take your ball striking to the next level? Watch the full YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZCtkGzNYYE
