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We hear the term "extension" all the time, but what does it really mean? I would like to see a discussion of it because it can be one of those misleading terms which if not understood can be debilitating to a swing. Any takers?

I was actually thinking about this since last night after watching Lee Trevino videos and the big flat spot in the bottom of his swing...he doesn't swing on a perfect circular arc, rather his arms stretch out through impact down the line before coming back inside in a rather pronounced manner...S. Snead also was exggerated in this and it is no conincidence that these are two of the best ball strikers of all time...I tried what I thought I saw on the course this morning and was very pleased witht the results...when taking my address, rather than stretching to the ball to measure to it, I left a little give in my arms that would allow for a bit of extension at and through impact, thus strectching out the bottom of the arc for that "flat" area...it worked and I was taking the sweetest forward divots as my arms could travel that little extra bit through impact, and the spin on the irons was great...a little too great as I came up a bit short with zero release on a few occassions...I liked the results and am planning to incorporate this into my regular swing...

As far as extension is concerned, the way I see it is keeping the left arm (for righties) staight on the backswing and the hands as far from your head as comfortably possible, and the opposite on the forward swing...

For me it is my inside hand as far away from my shoulder on the back swing as I can comfortably get it and my right side down the target line as far as it will go that day with out leaning forward too much.

You don't worry about breaking the body connection with the inside hand? I couldn't swing that way, I'd have no control...

I typically associate 'extension' with the throughswing (see picture).

I typically think of the equivalent backswing term as 'width'.




I think of extension as having both arms pretty much straight, which necessitates that the hips and shoulders must have turned to support the swing motion.

Extension sir Crossgrain my book relates mostly to the driver and is the thought of swinging out on the ball in hopes of promoting a smooth butter draw. For me the more i foccus on swinging out to the right the more my ball turns over. That is how the term extension relates to my swing for many it is the thought of having your arm follow through down the target line which is simialr to my swing thought. Thank you for alowing me to take part in your discussion its always a pleasure.

I took lessons and for the first few the whole thing was on extension. This will really help you on all of your shots and your shot pitch shots too. You think of you swing like a clock, you take your club back to 9 o'clock with your arms straight,then go threw to to follow at 3o'clock. Once you do that enough and get the consept, in your full back swing , you come back with your extention and at the top of your swing you have your left arm straight with your wrist cocked. your come down like this to creat lag and come through with extension at finish with your hands at your ears and be sure to rotate your shoulders for a straight ball flight. These lessons have improved my gave by 12 strokes

Sorry Bump and Run not getting back to you with the question you asked, I just noticed it.

I agree with what you say. The connection you mentioned, inside shoulder, is my most prevalent swing thought. It pretty well eliminates mistakes on the backswing, for me, and is the limiting factor through and around. My conscious effort to get the right side through on-line is to keep the club on the target line as long as connection is possible. My ball flight is pretty straight as a result.

Some snazzy britches you got there Straightshooter

No, that is a poetic followthrough position, one which if achieved then what preceded it was on target.

Bob38, I'm glad you clarified your answer, because I fear extension is often interpreted as in the implication of your original answer, namely "reaching" as far as possible which causes an automatic disconnect in the shoulders. Notice Straightshooter's example and how the shoulders are still working as one unit that far along in the swing.

I view extension more as a result of swing dynamics than a purposeful effort, occuring from the elbows to the knuckles, felt primarily in the wrists and fingers. If the shoulders remain connected at Change of Direction (COD) and the left arm remains straight, C-force of the club will cause extension in the wrists and left hand particularly. I think this is what Nicklaus was referring to when he said he feels like he is reaching for the sky at the top. If the down is then begun as one unit and the extension at the top maintained, the position in Straightshooter's example will be achieved.

I just hope readers will benefit by learning that extension is not "reaching" from the shoulders.

Yes, extension in my follow through, is reaching as far down the target line as possible with my right arm straightening limited by the folding of my left elbow. This helps my right side getting through which is one of my default glitches. I use caution to prevent my upper body from tilting too much over my left hip joint ( righty ). And yes Crossgrain, I read and watch Jimmy Ballard also. He's one of my favorites.

As an aside, gluing the right armpit will get the right side into power position at the top. Keeping it there on the down will then compress the up c-force of the club against the right side until at the last sec the club catches up with the down causing the right to explode in the strike zone at just the right time without having to extend downrange because it'll happen automatic.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.
Cheers, Bob

Extension has to do with sticking something out further perhaps, or maybe lengthening something. Extension of human body parts is severely limited by the fixed length of the bones and their need to remain connected.

An extension is usually a conservatory fitted to the ouside of a house in the UK...

Either that or its the followthrough as your hands extend through impact to target on the swing plane....

Too funny Cernunnos!!