Hooks, shutting face down

[MikeLowry5]

Went to the range today after 3 week layoff. Last session I was hitting alot of duck hooks with the woods and the last couple swings my irons started hooking as well.

Today everything was hooking and the face of every club was completely shut at the top.

I have a stronger grip naturally and weakening it only causes me to regrip at the top.

My question is can I get away with a strong grip and keep from closing down the face so bad?

[iacas]

Went to the range today after 3 week layoff. Last session I was hitting alot of duck hooks with the woods and the last couple swings my irons started hooking as well.

The way I see it you have two options.

The first is to really maintain the angle in the right wrist at impact. Don't let anything roll over at all. Think Zach Johnson. The second is to figure out what, when you grip the club neutrally, causes you to regrip at the top. It's not normal, and you'll probably be better off in the long term with a grip somewhere close to neutral.

[Gordon McTavish]

I used to play with a really strong grip (been playing on and off inconsistently) for many years. The strong grip was basically my misguided way of trying to avoid spraying the ball to right.

However, three years ago (towards the end of a round) I suddenly decided to switch from a strong interlocking grip to a neutral overlapping grip and hit a perfectly straight shot. The grip change has worked out pretty well ever since.

Basically, I think it's worth playing around with a grip that might initially feel unnatural to see what the results are like.

[MikeLowry5]

I have been working with an overlapping grip to try and feel more comfortable with a weaker grip but I'm still closing at the top. It is more pronounced with longer clubs.

If it helps, along with the hooks I have been hitting alot more blocked shots and off the toe.

[iacas]

I have been working with an overlapping grip to try and feel more comfortable with a weaker grip but I'm still closing at the top. It is more pronounced with longer clubs.

Most of the regripping I've ever seen people do at the top usually involves their wrists and/or left arm breaking down. If your wrists don't break down it's tough to grip it.

And to look at it this way, if you're regripping, it's because the club isn't supported properly. So I'd be curious to know what position you get to at the top of the swing. Post a video, dude.

[jsherm45]

You are letting the right hand dominate your swing. I like this tip:

The first is to really maintain the angle in the right wrist at impact. Don't let anything roll over at all. Think Zach Johnson.

and I'd add that you want to feel the left arm in the downswing. If you are right handed, then it's like hitting a one-handed backhand in tennis. Back of the left wrist out in front at impact.