Spine Extension in the Backswing

@MarkG in NH I am going to restart this topic discussion. as I have been trying to work with @Tom Saguto ’s spine exercises in several different videos as the key, yet still watching my head bob down and weave around a little in vids as the backswing goes up, always with inconsistent fat / bobbling / sh#$&y / dribbling results. There’s clearly something I’m not getting and I‘m at a loss to discover it. And trying to follow “you’ll just have to feel it” is getting me nowhere that I can use to improve. So, What is spine extension in S&T exactly? And if it’s not happening at address, then what is happening with the spine then, especially the tailbone? When does extension start, and how does it start and how does it continue? How does it feel at the top of the backswing? How does it feel as the downswing begins and through contact? Follow through seems pretty clear to me, at least as an end goal.

maybe having a few months on this topic has given you some more insight and ideas on how to practice it, until it’s pretty automatic, not even a thought anymore(?)

Well done, @MarkG in NH!!

I grasped the extension concept rather easily by simply making sure to have space between my chin and my front shoulder, the one closest to the target (the shoulder rotating downward). To do so, at least for me, I just felt like my head stayed in place... not necessarily "extending"... and not dropping downward towards the ball. Watching Tom swing helped me visualize that it is really a subtle, micro-extension, and not some major stretchy-thing we need to over think. 🤓

My pleasure!

By the way, if you haven't already done so check out the Indoor Training Program as there's plenty of great stuff to work on - including extension - while Ol' Man Winter's got you in his tight interlocking grip! ❄️☃️🤣

Thanks, Tom. Indeed I was suffering from turning my head down toward the ground. This will help. Thanks for a great explanation. Take care.

@dkott,

I do understand as extension can be a tricky concept to grasp...

For starters I'm guessing you've already been through Chapter 2 of the Golf Swing Simplified program, more specifically lessons 2.1 through 2.6 that deal with these body motions? If not then that's where I would suggest starting.

Otherwise here's what you need to know. If you were to only tilt and turn, your head would move down and towards the target. Extending the spine as you tilt and turn keeps your head - and thus your swing center - in place. Based on this, oftentimes it's easier to explain extension by reverse-engineering. In other words, we take care of the effect by putting our head against a wall or other stable object and keeping it in place while tilting and turning - as shown in lesson video 2.3c. In doing so you should notice the sensation of your spine straightening - or extending - in order to enable your head to remain steady. Then try to recreate the movements without the assistance of an external support, using a mirror or video to confirm that your head is not moving "outside the box" established at address.

Another way to try this is the get into your setup posture. From there if you were to just tilt and turn, again your head will move down and toward the target. So instead try this and compare/contrast the feel:

1) Get into your setup posture

2) Stand up straight (extend)

3) While standing erect tilt your upper body towards the target while keeping your hips in place.

4) Now that you are extended and tilted, turn your upper body as you would in your backswing, keeping your weight forward while allowing your hips to turn 45 degrees and your trail leg to straighten.

There you have your backswing - tilted, turned, and extended!!

I hope this helps you to better understand the extension component!

Tom