A hook is a shot that moves to the left of the target line. (For right-handers, for lefties reverse the directions.) Sometimes it starts out to the right, then veers left; sometimes it starts left and curves further left. (If it shoots off behind you, you have a different problem…)
As with any undesired path, the causes are many and varied. Still, some fundamentals remain. A hook is the product of one or more of: (1) incorrect grip, (2) poor stance, (3) wrong swing. Any or all can contribute to a closed clubface, producing counter-clockwise spin and a shot that moves left of the target line.
(1) Incorrect Grip
You may have an overactive right hand, in which the hand and forearm rotate too much, too quickly, bringing the clubface closed.
To check this, start with the static grip. The V’s in each hand should point toward your right shoulder. If they point further right, your grip is probably too strong. Remember to grip firmly, but lightly. A death squeeze leads to tension in the forearms and incorrect swing.
The back of your left hand and the palm of your right hand should face the target. You should see only two knuckles of your left hand. If three are showing, you probably have too ’strong’ a grip. Make sure your left is not too relaxed, though. This tends to cause the right wrist to take over, again leading to a closed clubface.
Grip the club more in the palm of your hands than the fingers. This will help reduce wrist action and premature closing of the clubface. Hold the club only tight enough to keep control.
(2) Poor Stance
In order to hit the ball squarely with any consistency, you have to return the club to the original spot (sweetspot on the ball) at impact with the club squared.
So start with the club in the proper position, by taking the proper stance. Your knees, hips, and shoulders should be parallel to the target line.
To ensure the clubface isn’t closed at address (your starting stance before beginning the swing), align the scoring lines of the clubface at right angles to the target line.
(3) Wrong Swing
In order to hit the ball squarely with any consistency, you have to return the club to the original spot (sweetspot on the ball) at impact with the club squared. Yes, I said that in (2) - it bears repeating.
The lesson here is that the club should remain in the same swingplane both on the backswing and the downswing.
Make sure the right forearm is not far below the left.
On the downswing, make sure that the action is from the body, with the legs relaxed. This helps to reduce wrist rotation and closing the clubface. Your weight should shift to your left side.
April 14th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Excellent points. At our magazine, we have had a few separate inquiries lately about hook control. Your advice seems to be “on par” with what we’re hearing from pros in our area. But here’s one for you: Say you have a strong grip and a horrible penchant for duck-hooking, but when you adjust the grip to a more neutral position, the hook actually WORSENS. What could cause this? I have a personal interest in this because it is something that I am experiencing in my own swing. Hope to hear from you soon.
Steve Smede, Editor
Mountain West Golf Magazine
April 20th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Sorry for the delay in answering your note, Steve. The best advice I can give is to schedule some time with a golf pro. It’s hard to tell just what is making your hook worse without having a trained observer watch you play. Taking a few lessons with a pro early each year can make a huge difference in how you play the rest of the season. A golf pro can catch and correct small problems before they become big ones.
June 18th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Thanks i will try this tomorrow when I play.. I 4got about the grip, i must have too strong of a grip. I did not understand, all of a sudden this year i was hooking and snap hooking I had never done this..