If you find that you are hooking the ball much more than usual in a game of golf – do not fret because it is actually much more common than you may think.
Luckily, there are ways that you can prevent it from happening, but first you should learn what causes it to happen in the first place.
To find out about these annoying ball hooks and how to greatly decrease the chances of doing it again, then this guide is for you.
What Is Hooking the Ball?
When referring to golf, a hook is a shot that makes the ball seemingly follow the desired course in a straight line, but then suddenly turns left.
What causes this is a strong sidespin in the counterclockwise direction.
Even though the shot will initially start to the right of the target, the ball will cross over the line of the target as it flies through the air and keep flying sideways until it comes to rest to the left of the target.
Due to it missing the target, it is seen as a golf shot error that is to be avoided.
What Causes You to Hook a Ball?
There can be a few reasons why a ball is hooked in golf, but these are the most common reasons.
Closed Clubface
The closed clubface is the most common cause of hooking your ball.
A closed clubface happens when the flat face of the club is directed to the left of the target for a variety of reasons.
When you make contact with the ball, the angle and direction of your clubface is the single most important aspect in deciding the direction your ball will move.
A square clubface, where the clubface line is at a right angle to your goal, will assure that the golf ball will go straight, which is likely the most difficult obstacle for most beginner golfers.
Trajectory Line is Inaccurate
The trajectory line your club travels throughout your backswing and follow-through is known as your golf club path.
Your club head moves in a smooth, straight path as you swing backward and then forward, similar to a pendulum in a straight line.
There are two major club path difficulties that might be causing your hook.
The first situation is that you’re swinging your club outside-in, which means you’re swinging down and across your body, which will normally force the ball instantly left and take it even farther left due to the spin.
The second situation is that you’re swinging inside-out, which means you’re swinging into and then away from your body, pushing the club up and out.
As a result, the ball may begin on the right but then curve back to the left and down.
How to Stop Hooking the Ball?
Correct Your Stance and Alignment
The first step is to learn how to properly aim in golf. This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many frequent gamers aim incorrectly without realizing it.
To ensure that your body is square to your ball-to-target line, utilize alignment sticks.
Not only does your body need to be squared properly, but the clubface should also be pointed in the appropriate direction.
Take your regular address position and then raise the club up until your hands are at waist height.
Check to determine if the face is pointed at the target. If you’re having trouble with a hook or are wondering why you’re pulling iron shots, it’s possible that it’s pointing further towards the earth.
Use the Correct Grip
While every golfer’s grip is unique, it is critical to ensure that yours isn’t overly firm, since this may be causing you to hit a hook.
Hold the club such that the top thumb is slightly to the right of the shaft’s top.
Place your bottom hand on the club and slide your top thumb into the crease of your lower hand, with your lower hand’s thumb just slightly to the left of the top of the shaft.
Your grip is too firm if your bottom hand is turned too far beneath the club, which facilitates a hook.
Adjust this by moving it closer to the top of the club, near the target.
Adjust your wrists so that the V created by your thumb and fingers on your bottom hand is visible.
This V should be pointing towards your trail shoulder.
This allows you to achieve a more neutral hand posture and keeps your face steady and square during impact.
Use the Right Weight Distribution
A stiff lower body is most likely the most prevalent swing-related cause of the hook.
If you struggle with weight distribution in your golf swing, your hands will take control and a rapid hook is highly likely.
Take your typical address posture and close the face of your iron slightly – it sounds strange, but it works. Swing normally, but attempt to hit a straight shot.
If you fall back into old patterns, you will hit the ball even more to the left, therefore this exercise forces your mind and body to find a different answer.
The only way to hit a straight shot from this posture is to move your lower body through the ball, moving your weight and delaying the release of the club a little.
It’s an excellent approach to develop a much better swing sequence.
Control Your Backswing
Slowing down your backswing is another strategy to avoid hooking the ball.
This technique may appear simple enough to execute, but it is sometimes overlooked in the heat of battle as you strive to knock the dimples off the ball.
When you backswing too quickly, you lose control of your hands, head, hips, and feet.
Slowing down your backswing ensures that your body is leading your hands during swing-through and prevents your hands from “rolling over,” which shuts your clubface and results in a hook.
Finally, avoid shifting your weight too much from one foot to the other throughout your swing. This might force you to swing the club too far around your body, resulting in a closed clubface.
Maintain a great steady, balanced weight and lean forward into your toes, but don’t lean back on your heels.
Summary
Hooking the ball may be pretty common in golf but this is due to the fact that not a lot of people really know what is causing it so therefore do not know who to correct it.
Now that you have read through this guide however, you will no longer be one of those golfers who continuously have balls firing all the way to the left.
All you have to do is apply what we told you in terms of prevention.
Hi, my name is Garratt Shmidt and I have been playing golf in my spare time for almost a decade.
Before I found a passion for golf, I didn’t see the appeal. I thought it was slow, repetitive, and quite frankly boring.
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