Driving · Lesson
Four Checks When Your Ball Starts Hooking
Part of our driving programs for slice, hook, topped or thin. Build a program with it
Fixing a slice can swing you too far the other way. If you're now hooking, check four things. First, your grip. If your trail hand sits under the handle, the face will close. Move toward a neutral grip, palms roughly facing. Second, ball position. If it's too far forward, the face has time to shut before contact. Third, your body. If your hips don't turn enough, or move in the wrong order, the club goes off track. Fourth, your hands. Let them turn with your body. Don't let them flip at the ball.
Step by step
- See if your trail hand is under the grip.
- Move to a neutral grip.
- Check that the ball isn't too far forward.
- Turn your hips smoothly through.
- Let the face rotate with the body, not with a flip.
Why it works
A hook happens when the clubface is closed to the swing path at impact. A strong grip, a ball too far forward, a stalled body and active hands all close the face early. Fixing each one lets the face stay square to the path through the ball, so the ball starts on line and does not curve hard left for a right-hander.
Common mistakes
- You keep the trail hand well under the handle because it feels secure.Rotate the trail hand toward the top of the handle until your palms roughly face each other.
- You play the ball up near your lead heel with every club.Move the ball back toward the middle or just forward of the middle of your stance for shorter clubs, and only slightly forward for the driver.
- You stop turning your hips and flip your hands over to square the face.Keep your hips and chest turning toward the target so your hands rotate with your body instead of rolling over at the ball.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts on or near your target line and no longer starts left and curves further left.
- You make centered contact with a shallow divot or a clean strike off the tee, not a low snap pull.
- Your hands feel quiet through impact and your chest faces the target at the finish.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Hit half-swing shots with a mid-iron so you can focus on grip and ball position before you add speed.
Harder: Hit a full driver shot while keeping the same grip, ball position and body turn, and try to hold the ball on a straight line to a narrow target.
Common questions
Why do I suddenly hook the ball after fixing my slice?
You have likely over-corrected, often with a stronger grip, a hand flip or a ball too far forward. Each of these closes the face too much, so check them one at a time.
Can a strong grip cause a hook?
Yes. If your trail hand sits too far under the handle, the face tends to close faster through impact. A more neutral grip, with palms roughly facing, helps keep the face square.
