Hooking driver again

[Finn07]

Took the driver out of the bag for the first time this year today and I wish I never did. I had this similar problem a few years back and had corrected it last year. Now it is back again, hopefully for the short term. Wedges, short irons, long irons do not have this problem at all. Just with the driver. Problem is when I make contact the ball goes about a foot off of the ground and hooks pretty bad. Its embarrassing because Im a decent golfer. Ive tried all the things I believe am doing wrong and nothing worked today. Keeping weight back, slanting shoulders towards my right foot. I dont know, anyone have suggestions or maybe some drills I can do. I even tried fading and "slicing" the ball on purpose and that was even difficult, whereas last year I was able to work the ball pretty well with the driver. Any suggestions. Thanks.

[iacas]

Took the driver out of the bag for the first time this year today and I wish I never did. I had this similar problem a few years back and had corrected it last year. Now it is back again, hopefully for the short term. Wedges, short irons, long irons do not have this problem at all. Just with the driver. Problem is when I make contact the ball goes about a foot off of the ground and hooks pretty bad. Its embarrassing because Im a decent golfer. Ive tried all the things I believe am doing wrong and nothing worked today. Keeping weight back, slanting shoulders towards my right foot. I dont know, anyone have suggestions or maybe some drills I can do. I even tried fading and "slicing" the ball on purpose and that was even difficult, whereas last year I was able to work the ball pretty well with the driver. Any suggestions. Thanks.

It's tough to say. It's one of two things: path or clubface. One - or both - are closed. You should be able to tell which it is... so which is it? If you can find that out, then we can probably help you out a little more easily.

[Finn07]

Okay so if it is swing path would that mean that the club isnt coming back flat enough or its coming back too flat?

[jeffgladchun]

Whenever I start duck-hooking the ball like that (which happens more than I'd like to admit) its usually due to a ridiculously closed face. I always try this troubleshooter first, maybe it'll work for you: take your normal stance, etc. then take the club back to halfway or just before. The toe of your driver should be pointing straight up . If the toe is pointing away from your body, its closed, and can often be the cause of the mean duck-hook.

Hope that works for you!

[muskegman]

When I hook a drive its generally because I've gotten quick at the top. If I keep the transition smooth I'm more likely to be in the middle of the fairway.

[Finn07]

Well I went to the range again after work tonite and what a difference. It was my swing path, I was taking the club back way too far to the inside. What I did to correct this was as soon as I began to take the club back I got my hands as far away from my body as possible, and I didnt rotate my hips nearly as much.. Result was a nice coil in my shoulders and back and straight drives down the middle of the "driving range." Hopefully this works its way to the course cause im teeing it up in 12 hours. Thanks again guys

[Carlos Garza]

Make sure that you are gripping with your fingers, not the palm. When you grip with the palm of your left hand, and you squiz the club, the face will close, resulting in a hook. Another thing that causes a pull hook is lifting your spine angle on the down swing. This causes your hands to get quick in order to reach the ball, closing the face.

[iacas]

One of the keys I use to hit a fade is to grip a little tighter (just barely) with the fingers on my right hand. I think Lee Trevino said this was how he used to hit a fade... no, on second thought, he thought of keeping his arms closer to his body through impact. Someone thought of the "tigher grip right hand" thing.

Anyway, it helps keep the face open longer.

[Finn07]

Just got back from the range, hitting irons real crisp, the only problem I am having with that is a low ball flight, but the driver (which I thought I had licked the other day) was hooking again with little distance behind it (150 yds). Kind of upsetting considering last year I would hit it about 290 yds consistently. But I had this same problem the beginning of last season, so well see what happens, Im taking a lesson Wednesday to elimate bad habits. I have to say it feels like im taking the same swing with my irons that i am with the driver. Weird i guess. Hopefully ill get my swing on here tomorrow as well.

[jeffgladchun]

One of the keys I use to hit a fade is to grip a little tighter (just barely) with the fingers on my right hand. I think Lee Trevino said this was how he used to hit a fade... no, on second thought, he thought of keeping his arms closer to his body through impact. Someone thought of the "tigher grip right hand" thing.

My trick for hitting consistent fades is to over-pronate (cup) my left wrist at the halfway-back point. That leaves my left wristed cupped at the top (a la Couples) and leaves the club a slight bit open at impact.

Likewise, for a draw/hook I leave the clubface closed and keep my left wrist flat at the top. Works well for me!

[Guest]

Hello - I am an experienced teacher and player in the Philadelphia area. I will try to help you. Alright - sounds like you set up to the ball fairly well by what you say. You are having a difficult time obviously striking the ball with a square face. Your club face has to be really closed at impact in relation to the line you are swinging on to hit shots like that. Would you say you maintain a good club face postion in the backswing but get into the problem in the down swing? How is your sense of feel in the down swing? Can you make a slow rehearsal swing and stop at impact and look to see how your club face is working into the ball? If not then you won't be able to do it correctly in regular playing speed.

Are you good at synchronizing your arms body and wrists? I would say that's where most of your problems are. Nothing is working together making it impossible to get things right at impact. If you give me some more info I can help you more...

Please get back to me...

Adz Kozlowski
http://www.unrealgolfinstruction.com