How to Hit a Hook Shot in Golf
By Steve Silverman
When playing golf, you usually want to stay straight. Meaning, you want to hit a tee shot down the middle, so that you are in a good position to hit a great second shot. However, sometimes you will find yourself playing on a hole that bends from the right to the left, or you are on the right side and need to go left. This is when a controlled hook shot comes in handy. Follow these helpful pointers.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Adjust your grip. Normally, when you grip the club, you want to look at the letter "V" that forms at the top of your left hand. When you want to hook the ball, take your top hand and twist it a few degrees toward your right shoulder. This may feel a bit awkward, but it will help you accomplish your hook shot.
Line up as if you were going to hit the ball down the right side of the fairway. You want the ball to curve right to left at the end of the shot, so you must start your swing as if you want to stay to the right. Your shoulders may be pointed 30 to 40 yards to the right of where you want the ball to end up.
Close your stance. Before you begin your takeaway, move your right foot back about 4 to 6 inches. This will help you come through the ball at an angle that will result in a hook.
As you make impact with the ball, you should get the feeling that the knuckles on your left hand are point to the ground. This dragging effect will help make the ball go right to left.
Go to the driving range and practice your technique when trying to hit a hook shot. Remember to turn the "V" in your grip toward your right shoulder, close your stance and have your knuckles point to the ground for a second following impact.
Tips & Warnings
Use a tighter grip than normal when you want the ball to hook. If a normal shot calls for a grip of five on a scale of one to 10, you should grip the club at six or six-and-a-half for a hook shot.
About The Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.
