The Golf Hook Shot Causes and Fixes

The golf hook shot is usually achieved by better players and is much easier to correct than a slice.

The causes are, too strong a left hand grip, reaching for the ball, aiming too far right of target, loose left hand at the top of the swing, or sloppy or weak wrists.

My suggestion is that, if you are doing more than one of these faults only work on correcting one at a time.

Left hand grip

The left hand is turned too far to the right creating a strong position on the club. This encourages the club face to be closed at the top and at impact.

Fix
Turn the left hand more to the left, this will weaken the position and encourage a square position at the top and impact. Make sure the right hand is also in the correct position.

Reaching for the ball

can cause the club to be swung too much around the body and on the same path back to the ball. Excessive rotation of the hands takes place closing the club face at impact producing the golf hook shot.

Fix
Stand closer to the ball with a more upright posture. You will have less bend from the waist and knees. Naturally your swing will be more upright with less inside swinging of the club. This will promote an upright swing back and through the ball allowing your left hand to pull down discouraging the right to be over dominant.

Aiming to far right

The golf hook shot is also caused by aiming right of target or standing closed with the body to the intended target. This set up will aggravate the problem of hooking.

Fix
You need to turn your body around to the left and align slightly left of your target. This opens the stance encouraging a straighter to target swing path.

This can feel very strange at first, but give yourself time to get used to it.

Loose Left hand at the top of the swing

This golf hook shot is difficult to notice. It usually happens with an over swing in the back swing. It can also produce a slice when the hand re grips the club and throws the hands away from you on the down swing.

Fix
The pressure point on your left hand should be felt on the last 3 fingers throughout the swing. Shortening the back swing will also help to hold on with the left hand.

Sloppy wrists

Sloppy or weak wrists contribute to the left hand breaking down at impact. This results in the right hand taking over and dominating.

Fix
Work on taking your arms, hands, and shoulders away from the ball together. This will ensure the correct unhinging on the way down of both hands and club. The wrists will cock and uncock correctly into the ball by the pulling of the left hand.

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