If you’re struggling with how to correct a hook in golf, don’t worry–you’re not alone.
Many golfers fight with this shot at some point in their careers.
The good news is that a hook is a fixable problem.
With the right approach and a little bit of practice, you can learn what causes a hook and how to correct a hook in golf.
But first, what is a hook?
A hook is a shot that starts at or left of the target (for a right-handed golfer) and then curves sharply to the right.
It’s the bane of many golfers’ existence, but with a few adjustments to your grip, stance, and swing path, you can say goodbye to the hook and hello to lower scores.
And if all else fails, you can always blame it on the club. We won’t tell.
How to Correct a Hook in Golf
Stopping your hook will require you to make changes to your face angle and club path.
There are a few different ways we can do this, and the trick is finding the one that’s most natural to you. Experiment with these changes below to learn how to correct a hook in golf by learning what causes it.
1. It All Starts With the Grip
Your grip is the way you hold the club, and it plays a huge role in the direction and shape of your shots.
If your grip is too weak or too strong, it can cause the clubface to open or close at impact, leading to a hook or a slice.
To find a proper grip, try the interlocking grip or the overlap grip.
The interlocking grip involves interlocking the pinkie finger of your top hand with the index finger of your bottom hand, while the overlap grip involves overlapping the pinkie finger of your top hand over the index finger of your bottom hand.
Once you’ve found a grip that feels comfortable and secure, adjust it to reduce the hook by rotating the clubface more open (i.e., pointing more right of the target for righties).
Do this by rotating your lower hand position to be more on top of the grip. This will promote the feeling of your hand opening at impact to square up the clubface.
2. Use Your Stance To Aim
Your stance is the way you position your body relative to the ball and the target. It’s important to have a stable and balanced stance because it allows you to swing freely and make a solid connection with the ball.
However, an improper stance can cause all sorts of problems, including a hook.
To find a proper stance, align your feet and shoulders with the target, maintain balance, and keep your weight forward.
- Align your feet and shoulders with the target by standing behind the ball and visualizing an imaginary line that runs from the ball to the target.
- Make sure your feet and shoulders are parallel to this line. Maintain balance by distributing your weight evenly between your feet and keeping your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your weight forward by placing the majority of your weight on the balls of your feet rather than on your heels or toes.
Once you’ve established a proper stance, it’s time to adjust it to reduce the hook.
If you’re hitting a hook to the left, it could be because your feet are aimed too far to the left of the target.
Try moving your feet a few inches to the right and see if that helps.
3. Swing Path Affects Ball Flight
If you want to know how to correct a hook in golf, you must understand the cause behind one in the first place.
Your swing path is the path the club follows as it swings from the top of the backswing to the impact position.
A swing path that is too steep or too shallow can cause a hook, as can a swing path that is too inside or too outside.
To learn how to correct a hook in golf, it’s important to find a swing path that is neutral and consistent.
One way to find a neutral swing path is to set up a series of alignment sticks or tees in a line along your intended swing path. Then, as you swing, try to swing the club along that path without knocking any of the sticks or tees down.
This will help you feel the proper angle and direction of the swing path. Another way to find a neutral swing path is to practice swinging the club at half speed and exaggerating the correct path.
This will help ingrain the correct muscle memory and make it easier to repeat in full swing. This can help loads fixing a golf hook.
4. Create A Powerful Release
The release is the way you uncoil the club through impact and into the follow-through. It’s important to have a proper release because it allows the clubface to square up to the target and generate power and control.
However, an improper release can cause all sorts of problems, including a hook. To fix a hook, it’s important to learn how to release the club correctly. One way to do this is to focus on your hands and wrists.
As you swing through impact, try to rotate your hands and wrists slower and later. Keep your wrist angle for as long as possible, so you strike the ball with a square or even open face.
Another solution for those wondering how to correct a hook in golf is to focus on body turn. As you swing through impact, try to rotate your body and hips through the shot and finish facing the target.
This will help you generate power and control and prevent the hook.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice
As with anything in golf, the key to learning how to correct a hook in golf is practice.
The more you practice, the better you’ll get at making the correct adjustments and grooving a proper swing. So don’t be afraid to hit the range and work on your swing.
And if you’re feeling particularly determined, try incorporating drills and exercises into your practice routine to focus on specific aspects of your swing.
For example, you could try hitting balls with just your left hand (for a right-hander) to help you feel the proper release and clubface control.
Or you could try hitting balls with just your right hand (for a right-hander) to help you feel the proper swing path and body turn.
Whatever drills and exercises you choose, make sure to focus on the key areas of your swing that are causing the hook and work on improving them.
Bonus Tips for Fixing the Hook
In addition to the steps outlined above, here are a few bonus tips to help you figure out how to correct a hook in golf and start hitting those sweet, straight shots.
6. Check Your Clubface
If you’re having trouble learning how to correct a hook in golf, it’s worth checking the clubface to see if it’s causing the problem.
To check the clubface, try setting up a video camera or having a friend take a video of your swing from down the line.
Then, watch the video in slow motion and pay attention to the clubface at impact. If it looks open or closed, adjust your grip or swing path accordingly.
7. Experiment with Your Ball Position
The position of the ball in your stance can also affect the direction and shape of your shots. If the ball is too far forward in your stance, it can cause a hook, as can a ball that is too far back.
When fixing a golf hook, try experimenting with the position of the ball in your stance and see what works best for you.
As a general rule, the ball should be positioned just inside your left heel (for a right-hander) for most shots.
However, you may need to adjust this depending on the club you’re using and the shot you’re trying to hit.
8. Pay Attention to Your Pre-Shot Routine
Your pre-shot routine is the series of mental and physical steps you take before hitting a shot.
It’s important to have a consistent and focused pre-shot routine because it helps you get into the right frame of mind and makes it easier to execute your swing.
However, an inconsistent or rushed pre-shot routine can cause all sorts of problems, including a hook.
When trying to understand how to correct a hook in golf, try paying more attention to your pre-shot routine and making sure it’s consistent and focused.
Take your time, visualize the shot you want to hit, and try to relax. This will help you feel more confident and in control when you swing.
Conclusion
A hook is a frustrating shot that can ruin your scorecard and your confidence. However, by understanding the causes of a hook and following the steps outlined in this article, you can learn how to correct a hook in golf and start getting those low scores.
So don’t get discouraged if you’re struggling with fixing a golf hook–just keep working on your swing, and you’ll eventually get it sorted out.
Good luck, and happy golfing!
