Struggling With Early Extension Post-Achilles Tear – Left Leg Weakness, Hip Clearance, and 2-Way Misses

[ZackQuilici]

Hey all,

 

Looking for some advice from anyone who’s battled through injury or has experience with ground force mechanics. I tore my left Achilles a while back, and while it’s technically healed, my lead leg is still weak—and it’s wreaking havoc on my swing.

 

I’ve been working hard to eliminate early extension and finally started understanding how to use the ground to clear my hips. The problem? I just can’t seem to press into the ground effectively with my left leg, and everything downstream falls apart.

 

• My hip clearance is inconsistent
• I’m struggling to stay in posture
• I’m stuck at impact with saggy knees
• And worst of all… the two-way miss is brutal

 

 

Lately, I’ve tried experimenting with a slightly open stance to help take pressure off the left side, but it’s been hit-or-miss. My question is:

👉 Do I just need to keep grinding and rebuilding strength in the left leg? Or are there any drills or setup tweaks that might help my body compensate more effectively while I continue recovering?

 

Would love to hear if anyone’s been in a similar spot—this game is hard enough without your body fighting against you.

 

Thanks in advance,

Zack

Spoiler

 

 

[ZackQuilici]

https://youtube.com/shorts/MUtA8tKaUso?si=ZWXU2PwytoLuDKas

Edited July 23 by ZackQuilici

[iacas]

Is the video older swings from before the injury, and the image a recent swing? Could you post some recent swings from FO and DL with a mid-iron (6, maybe 7) in slow-motion?

 

Overall, yes, you're going to want to get the lead leg back to strength and speed. It's an explosive move. Some players are more rotational, some more vertical, but you need a good lead leg to do either, generally (but especially the latter).

 

Sorry to hear about your injury. I'll check back later if you can get the videos, and/or clarify the above.

 

P.S. There's some other stuff going on as you'll see in the image not only the knees flexed but your weight still back with a lot of right side tilt. Straighten that left leg more and you might miss the golf ball, for example, so the answer isn't going to be "just use your left leg more."

[ZackQuilici]

All of these swings are post injury. All healed up now. But don’t know if my legs weakness is a key factor. Im still a crazy strong athlete. Post Achilles got to a 400lb back squat so my leg strength is just confusing at the moment. 

         

 

Edited July 24 by ZackQuilici

[ZackQuilici]

So sorry seems as if I’m screwing the uploading up haha 

On 7/23/2025 at 7:28 AM, iacas said:

Is the video older swings from before the injury, and the image a recent swing? Could you post some recent swings from FO and DL with a mid-iron (6, maybe 7) in slow-motion?

 

Overall, yes, you're going to want to get the lead leg back to strength and speed. It's an explosive move. Some players are more rotational, some more vertical, but you need a good lead leg to do either, generally (but especially the latter).

 

Sorry to hear about your injury. I'll check back later if you can get the videos, and/or clarify the above.

 

P.S. There's some other stuff going on as you'll see in the image not only the knees flexed but your weight still back with a lot of right side tilt. Straighten that left leg more and you might miss the golf ball, for example, so the answer isn't going to be "just use your left leg more."

 

 

[MonteScheinblum]

Mostly good, but you have to stop rushing the downswing hip turn.

 

Your downswing hip turn starts before your backswing is complete.

 

Thats what I’d work on first.