A hook is one of the most common shots in golf and can be helpful under the right circumstances. An intentional hook helps you hit the golf ball in tricky areas where you must cross water hazards or bunkers.
On the other hand, golfers sometimes tend to hook the ball due to improper technique, causing them to mess up their shot and intended trajectory. It can be one of the worst hit shots, along with topping the golf ball and slicing the ball. You can hook the ball with any golf club, but most players need help with drivers.
Millions of golfers want to know how to fix a hook in golf with a driver. A hook is a golf shot for right-handed players that starts right of the target and turns left through the air to land left of the intended target. This article will discuss the causes of a hook, the solutions, and a few simple drills to help you rectify the problem.
Causes of a Hook in Golf
It’s crucial to understand the reasons why you’re hooking the golf ball frequently to find decent solutions. At the beginning of the swing, golfers often make a mistake. Even when properly positioned, the right elbow (left for left-handers) might veer out to the side and away from the body in the takeaway, ultimately closing the clubface.
A closed clubface causes the ball to start left of aim and probably drift even further left unless compensation is made later in the swing and culminates in a terrible hook of the golf ball. The start direction of your golf shot will be influenced by your club face angle at contact five times more than it will be by your swing path.
In drivers, the issue of the closed clubface is often aggravated by choosing the wrong equipment. In other words, some golf drivers are designed to restrict the user from unintentionally closing the clubface. Paradym Driver, Cleveland Launcher XL Driver, TaylorMade Stealth Driver, and Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver are notable drivers known for their superb alignment.
Besides a closed clubface, the other reason for a golf hook is the side spin on the ball. Any golf shot’s curvature is due to the sidespin applied to the ball upon impact. If all else is equal, a golf ball will hook through the air more when the spin vector is tilted more, and the RPM is higher.
When your club face angle is not parallel to your swing path, sidespin results. Sidespin and a hooking trajectory are caused by the discrepancy between your swing path direction through contact and your club face angle.
Solutions for Fixing a Hook
The Golf Reporter team has identified some proven strategies to teach you how to fix a hook in golf with a driver. Here they are:
Wider stance
To aid the ball’s ascent into the air, golfers frequently commit the error of holding back as they enter the downswing. Although it seems obvious because we are commonly instructed to hit the ball with the driver upwards, this can and will inevitably result in hooks as the body pauses and the hands take control.
When you are in your driver address position, feel as though your feet are slightly wider. This is only a slight difference, so be careful not to overdo it. Then, focus on moving your body through the shot. This is typically made easier by having the sensation of kicking off with your right foot from the top.
Grip change
A poor grip is the most frequent problem for golfers with hooks, and it might include the bottom hand, top hand, or both. Whether or not you hook the ball is already decided even before you hit the ball, precisely when you grip your club.
Golfers who frequently hook the ball must consider switching to a different grip that will ease their troubles. Put your right hand in a more neutral position, and your left thumb shouldn’t be visible to you. Place your right pointer finger in a “trigger” position under the handle to hold the club. Without impeccable timing, a snap-hook will ensue if your right palm is allowed to leave the club throughout your swing.
Drills for Fixing a Hook
The above methods have been shown to be effective at fixing a hook with a driver. However, if you want to remove the hook from your game permanently, you must practice a lot. The Golf Reporter staff has uncovered a variety of driving range exercises you may employ to get a better long-lasting fix for your hooking issue.
Predictably, certain golf drivers are more suited for carrying out these drills and have a better track record. Cobra Radspeed Driver, Mizuno ST-Z 220 Driver, TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Driver, Callaway Golf Rogue ST Max Driver, and Taylormade Golf Stealth2 High Draw Driver are some excellent choices.
Here are the most effective drills that will help you in fixing the hook in golf with a driver:
Square Clubface Drill
- You need to make your hands more passive at the bottom of the swing since they influence the clubface position.
- On the back of the hand of your glove, there should be a logo or badge. The clubface and logo should be about aligned when you take your grip. Concentrate on the back of your left hand if you’re not wearing gloves (right hand for lefties).
- Hit numerous short shots with a golf driver, keeping the glove logo pointing up through impact and into the follow-through.
- Finish the swing with the glove’s back facing the sky and the club shaft parallel to the ground.
- Your goal should be to keep the clubface square at impact or slightly open.
Consistency Drill
- Choose a target and set your first ball on the ground in front of you. Aim directly at the target instead of aiming right as golfers do when anticipating a hook.
- Prepare to hit your shot by setting the club head down on the ground slightly behind the ball. Put a tee in the ground, and you must reach down and press it a few inches to the right of the club head and just inside the target line.
- In other words, when you address the ball, the tee should be to the right of the club head and closer to you than the club heel. This tee will prevent inside-out swings by acting as a barrier.
- Feel free to make your opening shot. Consider swinging squarely along the target line rather than slightly from the inside out as you swing. If you are successful, your shot will be accurate, and you will miss the tee.
- In contrast, if you do end up swinging from the inside, the ball will likely hook to the left since you will have clipped the tee.