Transition & DownswingIntermediateFixes: Early extension

The wall drill for shallowing the club

Curated PGA Drill by Adam Bazalgette

Focus Area

Downswing

Rep Guidance

3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps

Equipment

Golf club, alignment stick (optional)

Skill Level

Intermediate

Video walkthrough by Adam BazalgetteWatch on YouTube ↗

Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)

Associates power with depth rather than thrusting. Forces the pelvis to clear space for the hands.

How to Perform the Drill

Follow these step-by-step instructions. Rehearse slowly to build proper motor patterns before adding full swing speed.

  1. 1

    Step 1

    Stand with heels one club-head width away from a wall.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Backswing: Feel trail glute touch the wall.

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Transition: Plant lead heel and drive lead glute back to find the wall.

  4. 4

    Step 4

    Impact: Keep left glute anchored against the wall.

What Good Feels Like

Focus on smooth tempo and maintaining body connection through impact. Your body and club should move as a single synchronized unit.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Rushing transition before completing backswing or lunging upper body forward towards ball at impact. Keep movement controlled.

Swing Faults & Ball Flights Addressed

Early extensionLoss of postureBalance

Comprehensive Guides Featuring This Drill

How to Fix Early Extension in the Golf Swing

Fix early extension by keeping your trail-side glute and hips turning back and down instead of thrusting forward toward the ball. Build real backswing depth, then use wall or chair contact drills to feel your pelvis stay back through impact. This preserves spine angle so the club has room to release without you standing up.

Not sure this is your real fault?

Upload one swing video and our AI will identify whether early extension is actually what's costing you strokes, using physics-backed metrics and a practice plan matched to what it finds. Your first analysis is free.

Related Practice Drills

View All Drills ↗
Wall Drill For Early Extension thumbnail

Wall Drill For Early Extension

Beginner · Early extension

View Guide
Trail Heel Wedge Drill thumbnail

Trail Heel Wedge Drill

Intermediate · Early extension

View Guide
Exercise Ball Wall Drill (Glute Engagement) thumbnail

Exercise Ball Wall Drill (Glute Engagement)

Advanced · Early extension

View Guide
Chair Drill for Early Extension thumbnail

Chair Drill for Early Extension

Intermediate · Early extension

View Guide