How to Fix a Golf Swing Hook
By Sandy Retsky
To fix a hook, you need to correct your swing path and clubface. You should also learn how to fix a counter-clockwise spin on a shot, which makes the ball curve from right to left. This is commonly caused by a closed clubface with either a straight swing path or an inside-out swing path. You will benefit by hitting a straighter shot. Your goal is to develop a simple swing you can easily repeat. The instructions here are for a right-handed golfer. For a left-handed golfer, switch the words "left" and "right."
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Check your body setup. For body alignment, place a club on the ground aiming the shaft towards the target. The club shaft is the target line. Align your shoulders, chest, hips, knees and feet parallel to the target line at setup and impact. There is more than one "correct" distance between your feet (try shoulder width) and ball position relative to your feet (try inside left heel).
Check your club setup. There are three possible clubface positions: open (facing right of the target line), square (perpendicular to the target line), and closed (facing left of the target line). You want your clubface position square (perpendicular to the target line) at setup and impact. The sole of your club should be flat on the ground at setup and impact.
Check your grip. Grip the club firmly, not tight or loose. There is more than one "correct" grip (try the overlapping grip). Although the grip is not the primary focus here, it is important that your grip controls your clubface position at setup and impact.
Check your swing. There are three possible clubhead paths: inside-out, straight and outside-in. You want your clubhead path to be straight (parallel to the target line) at setup and impact. Your swing controls your clubhead path.
Practice on a driving range. The flight of the ball gives you instant feedback. Make adjustments to hit a solid, straight shot. Start with an easy swing and gradually swing harder as you feel more comfortable.
Tips & Warnings
Look at your swing on a regular basis. Most digital cameras record videos, so ask a fellow golfer to take a video from a side view and a back view. Save your video to check for consistency over time.
Once a golfer hits a hook, he typically tries to prevent the next shot from curving to the left by swinging to the right (creating an inside-out swing path), but this makes the hook worse.
About The Author
Sandy Retsky caddied at Baltusrol in Springfield, NJ and owned a software consulting business in New York, NY. He is a partner at Reverie Winery in Napa Valley and Butterfly restaurant in San Francisco. He has been writing for golflink.com since early 2009.
