How To Fix A Golf Swing Hook

A hook is one of the more common problems in golf. A player may develop a slice and then take steps to get rid of the slice and develop a hook. Most newcomers to the game start slicing the ball fairly soon because they don't finish their swing correctly. A hook comes after a golfer has learned the swing and can usually be fixed with a couple of modest alterations.

Step 1

Check your grip strength. Many times a golfer will start to hook the ball because the grip is too tight, particularly that of the bottom hand. When you are squeezing too tight and you are trying to finish your swing, you may force the ball to the left more than you want to. Hold the club as if it were a tube of toothpaste. You don't want to drop the tube but you don't want to squeeze any toothpaste out either.

Step 2

Square yourself to the target. When many golfers start to hook the ball, they have closed their stance a bit, meaning their front foot is closer to the ball than their back foot. To avoid hooking the ball, make sure your two feet are equidistant from the ball.

Step 3

Make sure the club face is at a 90 degree angle to the ball on impact. When a golfer is hitting a hook, a big part of the reason is that the club head is turned to the left impact. One or two practice swings with an emphasis on coming through the ball and not across it can help you get rid of your hook.

Step 4

Remember that you need a full body turn when striking the golf ball. A hook is almost always the result when a golfer takes a hard swing and is thinking about hitting it as hard as possible with a strong arm-driven swing. Most golfers understand that the swing needs to be driven by the hips, but golfers get anxious and forget the basics when they need to hit a long shot at a crucial moment.

Step 5

Go to the driving range and practice your swing with diligence. Slow your swing down to avoid hooking the ball. Remember that the key to building a smooth and repeatable swing is to lead with your hips and let your arms follow. A 20-to-30-minute session at the driving range will reinforce that lesson.