Golf-FAQ.com

how to keep golf balls from breaking right or left

by Prof. Seamus Herman Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Controlled Fade. To avoid hooking the ball off the tee, all-time golf great Jack Nicklaus recommends playing a controlled fade, a shot which moves from left to right.
  • Rotate Your Body. Tiger Woods says most players who hook the ball “suffer from a lack of body rotation” that begins with the backswing.
  • Stay Low. Golf instructor Mitchell Spearman believes that many hooks are caused when players straighten their backs prior to impact rather than remaining bent forward.
  • Turn, Turn, Turn. Teaching pro Rick Smith says a slow body turn is often the culprit when a player hits a hook. ...

Try a Stronger Grip
As you address the ball, take a look at your hands and observe that “Vs” are formed by the thumb and index fingers of each hand. If you turn the Vs a bit to the right, you are using what golf instructors call a strong grip. This grip encourages a ball flight that goes from right to left.

How to stop hooking the golf ball?

In order to hit straight shots, you need full body coordination so that the club hits the ball with a square club face. It is not enough to just know how to stop hooking the ball, you need to put everything that you learned into action. So hurry and head to a driving range and practice hitting straighter shots.

Can You Keep your golf ball from curving to the right?

We have all been there, you are in the middle of a round of golf and you can’t keep your ball from curving to the right. In the golf world, this is known as a slice for a righty golfer and a hook for a lefty golfer. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to control the golf ball and it curving excessively one direction or the other.

Why do golf balls get blocked on the right?

However, if you turn so fast that your arms (and the club) can't keep up with your rotation, you are inevitably going to block the ball out to the right. In the world of professional golf, this is often referred to as 'getting stuck'.

How do you hold a golf ball properly?

As you address the ball, take a look at your hands and observe that “Vs” are formed by the thumb and index fingers of each hand. If you turn the Vs a bit to the right, you are using what golf instructors call a strong grip. This grip encourages a ball flight that goes from right to left.

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Why does my ball always slice to the right?

A slice happens when a sidespin is put on the ball, causing it to curve to the right for a right-handed player and to the left for a left-handed player. Sidespin to the right is caused when the clubface is open (pointed right) relative to the path the club is traveling as the club impacts the ball.

Why do my golf balls go right?

Problem: When the ball flies dead right, it means your lower body slid ahead, which drops the club too far inside. Golfers see their tee shots go right and automatically curse the slice. Sometimes those are blocked shots caused by swinging too much from the inside.

How do you make a golf ball not go right?

3:598:16How to: STOP slicing the golf ball | REALLY EASY TIPS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYour swing to move more out to win to swing across the golf ball. We need to do the completeMoreYour swing to move more out to win to swing across the golf ball. We need to do the complete opposite to that we want to fix a slice we've got to hit more from the inside of the golf ball.

Why do my golf shots go left to right?

Downswing: The club might be swinging too much to left field at impact. Your left shoulder could be dropping too soon and/or your hips might be sliding toward the target, preventing the club from swinging back around to the right. Make sure your head doesn't move to the left in the downswing.

Why do I slice with my driver but not my irons?

The main reason that a driver will slice, but not the irons, is the length of the club. With a golf driver being longer than a golf iron, it is much harder to square the club face and release the club at the proper time. Golfers of all ability levels struggle with this concept.

How do I fix my golf drive right?

10 ways golfers can stop missing their drives to the rightA good grip. ... A full turn. ... *Feel* like your arms outrace club. ... Keep your underarms close. ... Fold your lead arm on your release. ... Drop your back foot behind you. ... Relax your hands and arms. ... Tilt your shoulders away from the target.More items...•

Why does my drive keep going right?

A slice shot is caused by a poor grip and setup, an outside-to-in downswing path and an open clubface. An outside-to-in path occurs when the golfer reaches too far on the downside, bringing the club down to the right of the ball (outside), relative to the target line.

How to play golf with your left hand?

1. Your Grip On The Club. First, you can turn your left hand more to the right, making sure that you can see at least the first two, if not three, knuckles on your left hand. Another way to think of this is to make sure that the palm of your left hand is looking down and to the right (almost at your right foot).

What are the three things you can do with your hands to eliminate a slice?

Since your hands are the only connection to the golf club, there are three things that we can do with your hands to eliminate a slice: Contents [ show] 1. Your Grip On The Club . 2. Your Grip Pressure. 3. Your Palm.

What does it mean when your palm faces away from the target?

2. Your Grip Pressure. Second, it is really important to make sure that your grip pressure is extremely light.

What is the difference between a top spin forehand and a drop forehand?

In the “cut” shot, the player’s palm would stay pointed toward the sky, while in the “top-spin” forehand, the palm would rotate down toward the ground.

Is slicing a problem?

Slicing can be an extremely frustrating problem, and it seems that the more you try to keep it from happening, the worse it gets! From Golf schools to my Sunday afternoon round, slicing is definitely the most common problem I see. Fortunately, there are some things that can be done to get the ball to stop going to the right, ...

Where do you start the ball in golf?

The target line and the start line. The best golfers start the ball left or right of the target line and then curve the ball back towards the target. Let’s go over some examples to help you better understand the ball flight laws.

What is a pull fade in golf?

Answer: The ball will start to the left and curve to the right. This would be a pull fade or pull slice. Keep in mind that even though the face is closed to the target line, it is open to the swing path and the ball will curve away from the swing path.

What is the flight law of golf?

It is a rather simple ball flight law that the ball will curve away from the swing path. For example, if your club face is to the left of the target line the ball will still curve right if your swing path is even further left. Or your face could be right of the target line and if the swing path is left of the face it will start right ...

What is the first fundamental in golf?

The first fundamental is the golfer’s ability to control the bottom of the golf swing. The best golfers will hit the ground in the intended spot, close to 100% of the time. The second fundamental is the golfer’s ability to control the curve of the golf ball. The best golfers are able to start the ball to the right or left ...

What to do when you hit a bad shot?

When you hit a bad shot, make sure you watch the entire flight and know what the ball actually does . Too many golfers turn in frustration instead of connecting the feel or the swing with the result.

Which player aimed to the right in the game?

Ben Hogan played with a weak grip, while Lee Trevino had a strong grip . Lee Trevino and Fred Couples aimed way to the right, while Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer aimed well to the right. We explain all of this to help understand the importance of controlling the curve of the ball.

Can you keep your golf ball from curving?

We have all been there, you are in the middle of a round of golf and you can’t keep your ball from curving to the right. In the golf world, this is known as a slice for a righty golfer and a hook for a lefty golfer. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to control the golf ball and it curving excessively one direction or the other.

Where do you start the ball in golf?

The target line and the start line. The best golfers start the ball left or right of the target line and then curve the ball back towards the target. Let’s go over some examples to help you better understand the ball flight laws.

What is a pull fade in golf?

Answer: The ball will start to the left and curve to the right. This would be a pull fade or pull slice. Keep in mind that even though the face is closed to the target line, it is open to the swing path and the ball will curve away from the swing path.

What is a scary miss in golf?

When the pull shot starts to creep into your golf swing it can be a scary miss as you have essentially created a two way miss and there is potential for some high scores. The true secret to golf is establishing a stock shot!

What is the first fundamental in golf?

The first fundamental is the golfer’s ability to control the bottom of the golf swing. The best golfers will hit the ground in the intended spot, close to 100% of the time. The second fundamental is the golfer’s ability to control the curve of the golf ball. The best golfers are able to start the ball to the right or left ...

What is pull shot?

The pull shot occurs from when the club face is closed to the target line and the swing path is somewhere around the same amount closed. For example, if your club face is 3 degrees closed or left of the target line the ball will start in that direction.

Is golf a good game?

Golf can be a wonderful game, but it is even more wonderful when we have a stock shot and can understand the ball flight laws. Once we reach a general level of understanding of the ball flight laws, we can read our ball flight and make adjustments as needed throughout the round of golf.

Who played with a weak grip?

Ben Hogan played with a weak grip, while Lee Trevino had a strong grip. Lee Trevino and Fred Couples aimed way to the right, while Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer aimed well to the right. So much time is spent in golf instruction on the grip, backswing, and different positions.

What happens when you release your hands from the top of the golf club?

When your hands release the club right from the top, you will force the club up and over the proper plane, and you will be forced to swing across the line as you come through the hitting area. If you fight a slice as well as an occasional block, you can bet that you are releasing your hands too early in the swing.

Why does my golf club hang behind my swing?

Your body turns too quickly for your arms to match , the club hangs behind your swing throughout the downswing, and the face is open at impact. To correct this problem, you are going to need to work on the 'connection' that exists between your arms and the rest of your body.

What does it mean to block a shot to the right of the target?

For a right handed golfer, blocking the ball to the right of the target is a common mistake that will often lead to a bogey or worse on the scorecard. Of course, if you play left handed, a block is actually a shot that flies out to the left rather than the right.

How to get your arms connected all the way up to the top of your swing?

The key to being nicely connected all the way up to the top of your swing is to make a good shoulder turn. Without a good turn in your shoulders, your arms are sure to 'run away' with the backswing , resulting in a position at the top where your arms are wrapped around your back.

What are the flaws in golf?

If you tend to block shots with the driver or fairway clubs, the culprit is likely one of these simple flaws: 1. Setting up with the ball too far back in your stance. 2. Taking the club back on an exaggerated inside arc. 3.

Why is my ball so far back in my stance?

If you are playing the ball too far back in your stance currently, that seemingly minor error could be the cause of your blocked shots.

How to hit a golf shot at 75% power?

You'll find it impossible to slide the hips toward the target while maintaining balance. Instead, you'll have to rotate smoothly, allowing the shoulders and arms to keep pace. Bye-bye, block. Stop Blocking Golf Shots to the Right.

How to tell if you slice a golf ball?

The position of the club at the top of your swing is an indication of whether you will slice the ball. Swing all the way back and pause. Your left wrist should be flat at the top of your swing. If it is cupped, or concave, you will most likely strike the ball with the club face in an open position, which causes a slice.

What is a slice in golf?

Overview. A slice is a golf shot that curves from left to right. A moderately sliced ball is often called a fade. Amateurs who slice often hit tee shots that curve violently, termed a “banana ball.”. Most accomplished players prefer to learn how to hit a draw, which curves gently from right to left. Tee shots hit with a draw tend ...

What does it mean when you turn the Vs a bit to the right?

If you turn the Vs a bit to the right, you are using what golf instructors call a strong grip. This grip encourages a ball flight that goes from right to left.

How to make sure you aren't setting yourself up for a slice?

Have one of your playing partners stand behind you and check your alignment, to make sure you aren’t setting yourself up for a slice. From time to time, most golfers find they have to go back and check their basic fundamentals, and alignment is one of these that golfers sometimes neglect.

Can you release your hands through impact?

Holding on too tightly with the right hand doesn’t allow the hands to release—or rotate—properly through the impact area. The face of the club is left open and the ball curves to the right. Loosen your grip slightly with the right hand and you can achieve the proper release through impact and turn your slice into a straight shot or even ...

How to fix a golf ball slide?

To Fix the Slide: Place a club going perpendicular to your target line going right down the outside of your front foot. Use the club as a guide and try to not slide the hips over that line. Instead, feel like the front hip is rotating back to make room for the arms to come down naturally at the golf ball!

How to keep your golf club from pushing?

Stronger Grip: You can also turn your top hand more towards the center of the grip, so you see three knuckles on the top hand. Having the top hand in this position helps keep the angle of the club from turning open at impact thus avoid the push! 2. Don’t Slide.

How to close the clubface?

Steps: Close the clubface by either using a stronger grip or practice the club toe drill. Don’t slide to the body back or forward during the golf swing. Instead, rotate the hips to make sure there is enough room for the arms to swing down at the ball and prevent an open clubface.

How to prevent an open clubface?

To prevent an open clubface, you have to release the face faster an impact. Practice Drill: Grab a club and make practice swings feeling like the toe of the club is going to head the ball first.

What is a push shot in golf?

A push for a right-handed golfer starts off to the right of their target and stays on that same line. (Opposite for lefties) Swing path is going towards the right of the target coming from the inside of the target line. Curing the push shot is far easier than fixing sliced or the hook shots.

How to make your golf ball go left?

Shift the weight of your body to your left leg as you turn. As you turn, your right shoulder will lower. Then, you should continue turning your body. I know that this may sound ironic but if you don’t want your ball to go the left, then you must keep on turning to the left. Let me explain.

How to hold a golf club correctly?

If you have a good grip, you can move and twist the club easily and you have a higher chance of making a good swing. Hold the shaft with your right hand.

Why is my golf club not going down the swing plane?

If the ball starts from the left then goes farther left, then it is more likely that your club is moving from outside to inside the target line.

What does it mean to hit a hook shot in golf?

What is a Hook in Golf. One of the goals of a golfer is to hit straight shots consistently. However, this does not always happen. For a right-handed golfer, a hook shot means when a golf ball goes to the right then curves way to the left. And vice versa, for a left-handed golfer, a hook shot means when a golf ball goes to ...

How to use a thumb jigsaw puzzle?

While it is in an open palm position, move your right thumb so that the side of your thumb touches the forefinger. Place your right hand’s groove on the handle and slide it over your left hand. Your left thumb should fit right into middle of the groove of your right hand just like a jigsaw puzzle.

How to hit straight shots?

In order to hit straight shots, you need full body coordination so that the club hits the ball with a square club face. It is not enough to just know how to stop hooking the ball, you need to put everything that you learned into action. So hurry and head to a driving range and practice hitting straighter shots.

Why do my shots go to the left?

One possible reason why your shots are going to the left is because of your club. You should know which golf club to use for your skill level. Actually changing or adjusting your club is one of the easiest ways on how to stop hooking the ball.

What causes a golf club to swing too much to the left?

Downswing: Your back shoulder might be going too much down, often with a sliding of the hips toward the target. This causes the club to swing too much to the left through impact.

What is a left-handed golfer hitting a hook shot?

Left-Hander Hitting Shots that Curve Right is Hitting a Hook. For a left-handed golfer, shots that curve to the right during the ball's flight are hook shots. Here is Gunn's checklist of possible causes of the hook: Grip: Your hand or hands, especially your left hand, may be turned too far to the right. The "V" formed between the knuckle and thumb ...

What is a push in golf?

If you are a right-handed golfer you are slicing the ball or hitting a slice. If you are a left-handed golfer you are hooking the ball or hitting a hook . (Note the balls the curve to the right are distinguished from shots that go to the right but on a straight flight path. Those shots are called a push for right-handed golfers ...

How to set up a golf club?

Set-up: Make sure your shoulders and/or feet are not aimed too far to the left. Ball position: Check to make sure you aren't setting up with the ball to far forward in your stance. Backswing: It's possible you are taking the club back too far to the outside, pushing the club away from you.

What is the V on your hand?

The "V" formed between the knuckle and thumb on both hands should point between toward your back shoulder. Set-up: Make sure you aren't setting up with your shoulders and/or feet in a closed position.

What to do if your golf ball is starting to the right?

If your ball is starting to the right with less of the banana curve, your path could be moving too far to the right, too. Making sure you square up your clubface should be where your focus is, because when you get it right, golf will be much more fun. 1. A good grip 2. A full turn 3.

What should your ball position be when you are struggling with your driver?

If you struggle more with your driver than your irons, it may be that your ball position is not correct. It should be towards your forward instead — but it needs to be accompanied with the resulting shoulder tilt.

How to get a more in to out path in golf?

6. Drop your back foot behind you. Once your grip has put your clubface in a correct position, you can produce a more in-to-out path by simply dropping your back foot more behind you. This “closed” stance will help your downswing come from the inside and swing out to the right. 7.

What happens when your lead arm stays straight?

But when your lead arm stays too straight post impact, it delays your release of the clubhead — which can leave the clubface too far open.

How to control the clubface?

Once you get into a good setup position with a good grip, follow Hogan’s advice to keep your underarms close to your chest as you swing back and through. By keeping your underarms close and connected on your backswing, it can help both your body turn and allow you to control the clubface.

Why do you hold your golf club in your palm?

When your club is in your palm, and you’re squeezing your fingers to keep it there, that added tension will delay your release and likely hold the face open for too long.

Can your arms get stuck behind you?

Though your hips will turn faster than your arms on the way down, when your hips turn too much, your arms can get stuck behind you, leading to a severe in-to-out path which can lead to blocks and block-cuts.

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