Long Drive Hookers

[The Recreational Golfer]

I watch the long drive competition whenever it comes on. It's great fun. One thing, though. They all have a hook swing, either missing with a big hook or a big push. Why do they all have that shot shape?

[Casualgolfer]

I actually tend to think most have a cut/fade type swing. They will all say that they don't want any shape on it to keep spin down to get maximum roll out and carry. I also like long drive and have a few long drive clubs and what you will realize quickly when hitting them is you need to be able to get that face squared up much "quicker" which may result in a hook when you are trying to swing 150 mph. Also as a whole it seems like the guys that can draw the ball tend to have better control than the guys that hit a big cut. Advantage could be that it rolls out more as well. However the miss with any draw is often a push of the face doesn't get squared up in time. When you start hitting it that long, tiny variations in your swing make a massive difference at those distances.

Edited June 26, 2018 by Casualgolfer
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[scotth]

As long as I have played golf, I have always heard you want to draw the ball not fade because the draw will roll further.  Maybe that has something to do with it?  

Just a guess as I am not by any wild stretch of imagination a long driver of the golf ball.

[chilepepper]

I’ve understood the draw is the “ stronger” shot. Non scientifically it seems as though my distances bear that out

[Casualgolfer]

I watched a video of joe Miller talking about drawing the ball and he said they want zero shot shape due to spin. The less spin the more carry and definitely more roll out they get. I really just think a draw is a product of a good swing and a deliberate effort to not slice the ball which really kills distance. I am thinking about entering some low level events for fun and I will be trying to play my draw for sure. For me I think a consistent shot shape is important because you know how it should react 

[iacas]

Long drivers don't try to hook or draw the ball. They try to hit it straight.

If they neck it a little, it cuts. If they toe it a little, it draws/hooks.

Their swings also favor a little outward baseline because they hit up, which neutralizes the outward baseline.