I need advice on a hook.

[jcollins120]

Lately (the past month to two months) I have a nasty hook with my driver and my irons are alright, but have a massive draw on them. (It's my swing, not the flexibility of the shaft or anything else). I have a very strong grip, but I was hitting the ball fine with this exact same grip months ago so I don't think that's it. I've tried a weaker grip and it felt awful and I hit the ball terribly, still with a big draw. I feel like it has something to do with not following through all the way. Could that be it? I don't go over the top either. I haven't hit a fade or slice in a very long time. I'm normally an above average ball striker/driver and now that things aren't working it's frustrating. I wouldn't say I take the club back too far inside, but it is a little bit. Basically I'm looking for any advice that will get me back to hitting the ball like I used to. Ask questions too to see if something else I haven't mentioned could be it.

[jcollins120]

Everything is either a low, big draw or snap hook. Occasionally a push, but mainly a giant draw or snap hook with no height.

[JoshKeller]

hows your shoulder tilt in your swing? When I get a nasty snap hook, its because either a) my swing is too flat, and my shoulders are fairly flat at the top of my swing,  or b) im taking the club way inside on the backswing.

[jcollins120]

Originally Posted by JoshKeller

hows your shoulder tilt in your swing? When I get a nasty snap hook, its because either a) my swing is too flat, and my shoulders are fairly flat at the top of my swing,  or b) im taking the club way inside on the backswing.

I'll look into my shoulder position and taking it inside might be a little bit of it. Even when I don't, though, it's still there for the most part.

[1puttit]

Is the ball starting at the target and then hooking  or doest it start left of the target and then hook more?  Can you post a video?

[bogey joe]

I feel your pain, for I too play with a very strong grip and weakening it only leads to the shanks for me.  However to your hooks, without seeing your swing all I can do is relate what works for me, and for me the first thing I change is my hand position at address.  I'll bring the butt of the club which is usually pointed at my left thigh and point it more toward my left hip joint.  This may require you to also become slightly more upright in you posture.  If that doesn't work for me I go to the exteme and become very upright with my posture and then begin working it down until I find a sweet spot.  But again, without seeing your swing and knowing that you have a strong grip, I could be way off base here, but give a try for a dozen swings or so.

[keiko]

Definitely weaken your grip-this will allow more wrist hinge also but in addition you need to try pausing at the top, slowing the transition, this gives you time to get your lower body moving ahead on the downswing. The quick transition will cause pull hooks or nasty duckies.

If you are flipping, slowing the downswing transition also helps with that too.

In any case, most problems are grounded in trying to rush the downswing in an effort to hit the ball further. Slower swing equals more center hits and better timing which equals great shots.

Good luck

Originally Posted by jcollins120

Lately (the past month to two months) I have a nasty hook with my driver and my irons are alright, but have a massive draw on them. (It's my swing, not the flexibility of the shaft or anything else). I have a very strong grip, but I was hitting the ball fine with this exact same grip months ago so I don't think that's it. I've tried a weaker grip and it felt awful and I hit the ball terribly, still with a big draw. I feel like it has something to do with not following through all the way. Could that be it? I don't go over the top either. I haven't hit a fade or slice in a very long time. I'm normally an above average ball striker/driver and now that things aren't working it's frustrating. I wouldn't say I take the club back too far inside, but it is a little bit. Basically I'm looking for any advice that will get me back to hitting the ball like I used to. Ask questions too to see if something else I haven't mentioned could be it.

[Yukari]

Sometimes, when I don't shift my weight to my front leg (left side, as I am a righty), I tend to hook the ball.  If everything else you are doing is same, you may want to look at your weight shift.  Make sure you transfer your weight on the down swing to your forward foot.

[mvmac]

[The_Pharaoh]

Excellent video. Very well explained. Thanks for uploading, Mike.

[windsplitter]

The video from mvmac pretty much says it. When I start drawing and hooking my irons it is almost always because I lost my lag. If you set up with your hands forward about 4* to 8* (butt end of the club pointing about at your groin) and then at impact the butt end is pointing at your belly button the club face will be closed. The driver is pretty much the same just a different set up. I wiill also have days that I will lag it to much for my set up and I will go right. I believe the set up and the lag have to match to hit straight.

[jcollins120]

Wow I really appreciate all these thoughts. All things I've been working on and looked at before. I found my cause, though. It was due to the way I was coming through at impact. I also needed to work on my transition, slower backswing and just a slight pause at the top. After that I started taking it back normal again instead of inside and those two things did it. I hit a 320 yard drive today with great height and it was the first good drive for over a month. I just let these bad habits sink in and they got the best of me. In the future, if/when I start having these misses I can always go back to all of these great comments. Thank you all.