Golf Tips: How to Get Rid of that Hook

Statistically, a vast majority of golfers tend to slice the ball, however more and more amateurs are beginning to see a completely opposite swing flaw - the Hook. Better golfers are far more apt to suffer from the left-banana as many low-handicappers prefer an inside-out swing path which, when hit correctly, results in a slight right to left ball path or "draw". Off center shots can cause that normally graceful curve to grow more and more wild.

Here are some tips for properly gripping the club which will help high-handicappers and low-handicappers alike to avoid hitting that wrong way curve and start to straighten your shots out significantly.

How does the ball Hook?
In some cases the swing path is too flat, which combined with a closed face at impact, will result in a "pull hook". However, when your club's face closes slightly at impact, the ball spins counter-clockwise. If the swing path is correct, but the golf ball is not being hit squarely at the point of impact, chances are your grip is the cause of the problem.

It's all in the grip!
A "strong grip" is one in which you can see three knuckles of your left hand when gripping the club normally. This type of grip can be a quick fix if you are slicing your shots, but such quick fixes tend to bring long term problems to your swing.

By simply turning your grip counter-clockwise, you will bring your setup back to square and allow the clubface also to become square to the target line when impacting with the ball. If you find that you begin to slice the ball after this adjustment then you should look at your swing path as a possible problem, as opposed to the grip itself. An Inside-Out swing path will generate a straighter ball flight for slicers while turning hooks into powerful draws for those more familiar with the right-to-left shots.

How tightly you grip the club is also a major element in the release process that occurs at impact. If your grip pressure is too soft at impact then the tendency will be for the club to release too early, causing the ball to hook. You should hold the club only tightly enough to keep control. You should not have any tension on your wrist and forearms. Try to have the most pressure be from the middle, ring, and pinky fingers of your left hand. These are the fingers that actually grip the entire club... the other fingers on both hands should be kept with only a soft pressure.

Focus on proper grip and grip pressure and you should begin to see longer, straighter shots that end up on the short grass instead of those all too familiar trees.

Source consulted: www.golf-golfing.com