Golf — Hooks: In Fishing, Good. In Golf, Bad

Since there are an infinite number of wrong paths for a golf ball to fly, but only one right path, the odds are not in your favor. But, as Hans Solo said: "Never tell me the odds!" Beat them by looking at the cause of a hook and practicing the cure.

A hook is a shot that moves to the left of the target line. (For right-handers, for lefties reverse the directions.) Sometimes it starts out to the right, then veers left; sometimes it starts left and curves further left. (If it shoots off behind you, you have a different problem...)

As with any undesired path, the causes are many and varied. Still, some fundamentals remain. A hook is the product of one or more of: (1) incorrect grip, (2) poor stance, (3) wrong swing. Any or all can contribute to a closed clubface, producing counter-clockwise spin and a shot that moves left of the target line.

(1) Grip

You may have an overactive right hand, in which the hand and forearm rotate too much, too quickly, bringing the clubface closed.

To check this, start with the static grip. The V's in each hand should point toward your right shoulder. If they point further right, your grip is probably too strong. Remember to grip firmly, but lightly. A death squeeze leads to tension in the forearms and incorrect swing.

The back of your left hand and the palm of your right hand should face the target. You should see only two knuckles of your left hand. If three are showing, you probably have too 'strong' a grip. Make sure your left is not too relaxed, though. This tends to cause the right wrist to take over, again leading to a closed clubface.

Grip the club more in the palm of your hands than the fingers. This will help reduce wrist action and premature closing of the clubface. Hold the club only tight enough to keep control.

(2) Stance

In order to hit the ball squarely with any consistency, you have to return the club to the original spot (sweetspot on the ball) at impact with the club squared.

So start with the club in the proper position, by taking the proper stance. Your knees, hips, and shoulders should be parallel to the target line.

To ensure the clubface isn't closed at address (your starting stance before beginning the swing), align the scoring lines of the clubface at right angles to the target line.

(3) Swing

In order to hit the ball squarely with any consistency, you have to return the club to the original spot (sweetspot on the ball) at impact with the club squared. Yes, I said that in (2) — it bears repeating.

The lesson here is that the club should remain in the same swingplane both on the backswing and the downswing.

Make sure the right forearm is not far below the left.

On the downswing, make sure that the action is from the body, with the legs relaxed. This helps to reduce wrist rotation and closing the clubface. Your weight should shift to your left side.