By: Garrett F on Nov. 14, 2025, 9:56 a.m.
I early extend and go into early right side bend during transition. Ive been told that I need to work on getting into forward flexion prior to extending through the release. When I do this though, I get incredibly steep and over the top. How do you go about separating the two and getting chest down, without shaft steepening?
By: Tyler F on Nov. 20, 2025, 9:15 a.m.
Hi Garrett,
I think what you're struggling with is a common challenge for golfers. I'd call it balancing your steeps and shallows. Tilting back and early extension are both adding extra shallowness to your swing, which means there has to be extra steepness somewhere else. Usually it's the arms. So I'm guessing your arms are working more steep than you'd like, which makes you get steep when you stay in your posture. If you want more direct help, post a swing to this thread and I'll take a look.
happy golfing,
Tyler
By: Tyler F on Feb. 2, 2026, 2:20 p.m.
Hi Garrett,
What do you mean by “my arms shrink and I hit the top of the driver ever time”?
Looking at the swing, you have to stand up to create the space for your arms to straighten as early as you do. If you did stay down, your arms lengthening so much would cause you to hit the ground before the ball.
As a short term drill, I’d try to do some swings with a really short finish, can you hit it with your body and not extend the arms at all.
Happy Golfing,
Tyler
By: Garrett F on Feb. 4, 2026, 6:54 a.m.
Sorry what I mean is that I feel like I’m going to slam it into the ground so I feel like I have to pull my arms/hands closer to me to avoid that. This then just causes a chicken wing on way through.
In summary, when I try and attack early extension with lower body intents like keep butt back I tend to pull upper body away. When I attack it with upper body intent, I come in steep, have both arms bent, and hit pop ups and high on face.
By: Tyler F on Feb. 5, 2026, 7:06 a.m.
Hi Garrett,
Here are two videos where I explain how the steeper arms lead to the pull away tendency. It’s common and frustrating!
https://www.golfsmartacademy.com/golf-instruction/arm-shallow-checkpoint/
https://www.golfsmartacademy.com/golf-instruction/connecting-arm-shallowing-chicken-wing/
Also, here’s a quick video of me demonstrating the drill I described. It’s harder with the driver than the iron, but doable with both. See how little trail arm straightening you can get and still hit the ball. If you’re steep with the arms, this drill is almost impossible.
Happy Golfing,
Tyler
