How to Correct a Golf Hook Shot

 

A golf hook is a shot that starts right of the target and curves left of the target. The golf hook is one of the most common swing faults.  The golf hook most commonly occurs when the clubface is closed relative to the swing path and/or when the swing follows an excessive “in to out” swing path.  Other common causes of the golf hook are too strong of a grip (which encourages a closed club face) or body alignment that is too far right of the target.

Quick Fixes for the Golf Hook Shot

Here are a couple of quick fixes that address the golf hook.

·       Align parallel to target line. To help visualize, think of standing on railway line.

·       Swing down the target line—not in-to-out.

·       Check your golf grip and ensure it is neutral – not too weak or too strong.

·       Take some practice swings and ensure that your club face is square at impact.

Practice Drills to Fix the Golf Hook Shot

To help fix the golf hook shot, top PGA teaching professionals recommend practice drills that help incorporate the proper golf swing mechanics into the golf swing and ingrain the correct “feeling” of a well-executed golf shot.  Here are several popular practice drills to fix the golf hook.

 

LEFT TOE BACK DRILL

Corrects golf hooks caused by excessive IN-OUT swing and encourages proper IN-SQUARE-IN swing path. Also promotes strong balance.

·       Assume setup with 7-iron and without ball.

·        Draw left foot back and keep toe on ground. Keep weight on right side.

·       Staying balanced, take 5 to 10 practice swings.

·       Continue drill by hitting balls off tee at half-speed.

 

HOOK TEE DRILL

Corrects golf hooks caused by excessive IN-OUT swing and encourages proper IN-SQUARE-IN swing path.

•         Place two tees and ball left to right diagonally, creating an IN-SQUARE-IN swing path. Allow about 4"x 4" spacing from each tee to ball.

•         Assume normal setup and ball position with 7-iron.

•         Hit ball crisply without hitting tees.

 

To quickly get rid of your golf hook, incorporate both of these drills into your practice routine whenever a golf hook creeps into your game.

Golf Pitching and Chipping Shot

 

Over 60% of your golf score can be attributed to the short game and the degree that you can successfully execute the golf pitching shot and golf chipping shot is critical to improving your score.  To help you get the most out of your short game on or off the course, here are some critical golf pitching and chipping shot tips to become a short game master.

Golf Pitching Shot: Setup and Execution

1.       The “golf pitching shot” is typically used for distances from ten to seventy yards.

2.       The golf pitching shot spends more time in the air than on the ground.  When hitting golf pitching shots, use a lofted club such as a sand wedge (54 to 58 degrees loft) or lob wedge (59 to 62 degrees loft).

3.       Slightly open stance.

4.       Ensure that your ball position is slightly forward from the middle.

5.       Place your weight so that sixty percent of your weight is on your left foot and 40 percent is on your right foot. Keep this weight distribution throughout the golf pitching shot.

6.       Move hands down the grip and in front of the ball.  Grip the club slightly firmer in the golf pitching shot than you would for a normal golf shot.

7.       Keep steady pace and swing torso back and through the golf pitching shot.

8.       To control your distance, use the 7-8-9 golf pitching shot method where you swing your straight left arm back to the particular “hours” of a clock to achieve consistent distance control.  For example, if you swing your left arm back to the “9-o’clock” position and hit the ball 45 yards, then your 9 o’clock shot is for 45 yard golf pitching shots.  Practice this approach until you know your distance for “7 o’clock,” “8 o’clock” and “9 o’clock” shots.

Golf Chipping Shot: Setup and Execution

1.       The “golf chipping shot” is typically used when your ball is 3 to 6 feet off the putting surface.

2.       The golf chipping shot is used to land the ball onto the green as soon as possible toward the cup.

3.       When setting up for the golf chipping shot, distribute your weight so that 60 percent of your weight is on your left leg throughout the chip shot.

4.       Open your stance.

5.       Position yourself so that your ball position is right of center.

6.       Place your hands down the grip and in front of the ball.

7.       Make a smooth, easy stroke…do not let the left wrist brick in the golf chipping shot.

8.       Maintain the letter “Y” that is formed with your hands, arms and shoulders throughout the golf chipping shot stroke.

Practice these quick golf tips for the golf pitching and chipping shot regularly and watch your short game improve dramatically while your scores drop.

Advanced Golf Tips

 

 

Are you one of those golfers that has established a fairly decent golf swing and fundamentals, but struggle when it comes to more advanced shots like uphill and downhill shots or shots over and under trees?  If so, here are a few advanced golf tips (for right-handed golfers) for those shots that can sometimes blow an otherwise solid round.

Advanced Golf Tips: Uphill and Downhill Lies

The trick with uphill and downhill lie shots is to align your body with the slope and swing along the slope throughout the shot.  Here are a few advanced golf tips for uphill and downhill lies.

For uphill lies, position body so that the ball is positioned forward from center (closer to the “higher” foot) and align shoulders, hips and knees with the slope.  Use less lofted club (for example, 7-iron instead of 8-iron) as an uphill lie promotes higher trajectory and shorter distance.  Keep most weight on back foot. Swing along slope while ensuring good balance.

For downhill lies, position body so that the ball is positioned back from center (closer to the “higher” foot) and align shoulders, hips and knees with the slope.  Use more lofted club (for example, pitching wedge instead of 9-iron) as a downhill lie promotes lower trajectory and more distance.  Keep most weight on front foot. Swing along slope while ensuring good balance.

Advanced Golf Tips: Over and Under Trees

Here are a few advanced golf tips for hitting the ball over and under trees.

For advanced golf shots over a tree, choose a longer club (i.e., 6-iron for 7-iron shot), play ball farther ahead in stance, and assume a slightly open stance.  Open the clubface slightly and take a normal swing. You will be amazed at the increase in trajectory with this shot!

For advanced golf shots under a tree (such as a tree branch), use lower lofted club (i.e., 5-iron for 6-iron shot) and play ball further back in stance. Place more weight on the front foot and slightly close the club face. Take a ¾ backswing and keep left arm straight and hands in front of clubface in downswing.  This will promote a shot with a lower trajectory.