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need help understanding what cause me to block and hook the golf ball

by Ernestine Rice Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

There are 5 main reasons why you are blocking golf shots which are listed below. Too much lateral slide with your hips in the downswing Your lower body moves too fast for your upper body Coming too much from an inside to outside swing path and ball position

Full Answer

Why do I keep hooking the golf ball?

Hooking the golf ball? Rotate your body Another common cause of the hook is an early release of the angle in the hands through impact. In my experience, this happens because golfers stop rotating their bodies. A great tip that will help is simply to turn your left foot out a fraction at address (as above).

How to fix blocked shots on the golf course?

Finally, make sure that your clubface is aligned perfectly straight at the target. The simplest way to fix blocked shots – in theory – is to fix the path the club will travel on. Indeed because blocking shots are caused by an inside-out club path, the solution will be to replace this club path with the inside-square-inside club path.

How to stop pull hooks on the golf ball?

Rather, focus on tempo and timing and delivering the club perfectly into the back of the golf ball. When you keep your mind off of trying to hit the ball as hard as possible, your pull hook should disappear. Pulled golf shots are no fun, and they certainly can be damaging to your score.

Should you adjust your golf clubs to prevent hook shots?

So if you keep on losing shots to the left, then adjust it to “Fade” to counter the tendency of a hook shot. If your club does not have any adjustable settings and you are left with no choice but to get a new one, then make sure that you know the important things to look for when buying a club.

Why am I pulling and hooking the golf ball?

If it's a pull, there are two likely reasons why the ball is starting left: 1) your body and clubface are aimed left of the target at address, which promotes an out-to-in path; or 2) you're aiming properly but the clubface is closed too much at the point of contact.

Why am I blocking the golf ball?

Blocks occur when you slide too hard with your lower body on the downswing (above). The club drops behind you and swings too much from the inside. You have too much lateral motion and not enough turn through the shot.

How do I stop blocking and hooking?

2:365:59STOP HOOKING OR BLOCKING THE GOLF BALL - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's called getting underneath. The shot the right shoulder gets too low the spine gets too backMoreThat's called getting underneath. The shot the right shoulder gets too low the spine gets too back some of that is okay to help us swing up on the ball especially a driver.

How do I stop my golf ball from hooking?

To fix the issue, turn your hand more towards the target, in a neutral position. Make sure the V's between your thumb and index finger on each hand point straight up. When the V's are facing more towards your rear shoulder, you are likely to hit a bad left hook.

How do I stop my golf drive from blocking?

2:558:56How To Stop Blocking Your Golf Shots 3 Must Do Tips!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo first tip here is check your ball position is in the right. Point. Ok so tip number two here toMoreSo first tip here is check your ball position is in the right. Point. Ok so tip number two here to help you to stop blocking your girl shot this one is to do with our body weight.

How do I stop my driver from blocking?

1:214:58How To Stop Blocking Your Golf Driver - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou need to try and get that face two degrees close to that path one to two degrees close to thatMoreYou need to try and get that face two degrees close to that path one to two degrees close to that path subject to strike to get a functional draw. Or. You could try and swing straight.

How do I stop hitting the snap hooks with my driver?

1:353:56How To Eliminate The Snap Hook With Your Driver - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMoving forward and through the ball when you hit the shot especially with a driver there's a lotMoreMoving forward and through the ball when you hit the shot especially with a driver there's a lot more club head speed.

How do I stop hitting a cut shot in golf?

7:258:52How To Stop a Slice - 2 Drills To Stop Cutting Across The Ball - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnother way of helping the legs become a little bit more active all the hips become a little bitMoreAnother way of helping the legs become a little bit more active all the hips become a little bit more active through impact drag that left hip back but keep very important keep your shoulders square.

Why am I hitting a hook?

A true hook in golf is a shot that starts out to the right of your target (for right-handed players) or starts straight but then curves back to the left. This is caused by a combination of club path through impact and face alignment at impact.

What swing path causes a hook?

Taken together and to summarize, a hook is caused by the combination of a: Severe inside-out club path, Clubface that is closed to that path and. Clubface that is pointing to the right of the target at impact.

Does a strong grip cause a hook?

For golfers who struggle with an overdrawing ball flight, we often see a grip that is turned too far away from the target — commonly known as a “strong” grip. This type of grip can often close (and de-loft) the clubface too much in relationship to the swing path and target at impact, leading to the dreaded duck-hook.

What is a pull hook in golf?

A true hook in golf is a shot that starts out to the right of your target (for right-handed players) or starts straight but then curves back to the left. This is caused by a combination of club path through impact and face alignment at impact.

What does it mean when you hook a target?

This means that you don't want to have your hands and forearms turned away from the target too much at impact.

How to do a downswing swing?

That means you start your downswing from the ground up firing your hips first, then your shoulders, then your arms, and then your hands.

What is a true hook?

So simply put, if your clubface is shut at impact, your ball is probably going to hook and if you swung on an inside/out path, you can call it a true hook. If you swung on an outside/in path and got the face closed at impact you could call it a pull hook.

Do shanks pop up randomly?

Just about all golfers fear a shank. In reality, though, they are an easy fix when you know the causes. It's not often that a shank will pop up randomly either. They seem to come in groups (one shank loves another) and go on for a while. Once fixed, they usually go away and don't come back.

Can hooks occur in golf?

Hooks can occur at any time and are dangerous miss-hits as they are extremely difficult to control. Finding and fixing what causes a hook in golf is crucial for low to high handicappers alike. >> If you like this, you'll also like: 3 Proven Ways How to Correct Your Reverse Pivot in Golf.

Why do I get hooks on my swing?

Probably the most common swing-related cause of the hook is an inactive lower body. If you struggle to transfer your weight during the downswing, your hands will take over and a quick hook is very much on the cards.

Why do I get hooks in my hands?

Rotate your body. Another common cause of the hook is an early release of the angle in the hands through impact. In my experience, this happens because golfers stop rotating their bodies. A great tip that will help is simply to turn your left foot out a fraction at address (as above).

How to make a grip change?

In this instance, start with seeing one and a half knuckles on your right hand and hit some half shots. You should begin to see and feel a difference. From there, work towards grooving a more neutral grip and you’ll kill your hooks for good.

How to tell if you have a strong grip on a hook?

If, for example, you can see three on the left but only one on the right, you have a strong grip and that could be causing the hook.

What happens if you struggle to transfer weight during the downswing?

If you struggle to transfer your weight during the downswing, your hands will take over and a quick hook is very much on the cards. RELATED: How to stop toe strikes. If this sounds like you, take your normal address position and slightly close the face of your iron – it sounds counterintuitive, but it works.

Why are golf balls blocked?

Because they start right, the only way they can reach the target is through a finely tuned draw spin, which can be tricky to apply. And in some instances, trees or other obstructions may render a draw ball flight unavailable.

What is a blocked shot in golf?

Blocked golf shots are shots that shoot straight right when hit by right handed golfers. They result in what is referred to as pushed shots (again for right handed golfers). Blocking shots occurs as a result of a club path that is of the inside-out variety.

How to call a golf shot a blocked shot?

Make Sure You Are Not Aligned to the Right . Before calling a golf shot a blocked shot we first need to make sure you are not simply hitting a great shot but while being aligned to the right. Indeed, your first step is to make sure you are aligned straight ahead. In order to do so, position your feet so that they are aligned parallel to ...

Why does the golf ball have no chance of reaching the target?

Because the ball will start its flight path right of the target it has no chance of reaching the target unless draw spin is applied. This variety of spin can only be applied when the clubface is closed to the club path. If that closed clubface is not present, the golfer is left with a blocked shot that has no chance in spinning back towards ...

Why is my golf ball pulled left?

At the most basic level, a pulled golf shot occurs because the club face is pointed to the left of your target at impact.

What is pull hook golf?

The pull hook is one of golf’s most devastating maladies because on top of the misdirection, a ball hit with right-to-left sidespin will run for days; plus, pull hooks fly low, so they roll even farther. In other words, a case of the pull hooks must be dealt with and defeated ASAP. Pull hooks results from an over-the-top (or outside-to-inside) ...

What happens if you hit a pull hook off the tee?

If you hit a pull hook off the tee, for example, there is a good chance that you won’t find that golf ball. If you do, don’t expect to have a very good shot at the green. Pulled golf shots can sneak into your game at any point along the way, and for any shot during a round.

What are the two types of pulled golf shots?

In general, there are two kinds of pulled golf shots that you need to deal with – the straight pull, and the pull hook. Both of these shots can be damaging to your score, but the pull hook is particularly troubling because the ball starts off line, and then continues to turn even farther away from the target.

What is pulled golf shot?

Pulled golf shots are a common problem that plague players of all skills levels from beginners to accomplished competitive golfers. Since they can sail so far off line so quickly, fixing your pull should be near the top of your golf priority list.

What happens if you are lazy in golf?

If your lower body isn’t doing its job during the downswing, the club face will likely rotate too quickly and end up in a closed position.

How to deal with a pull and not just poor alignment?

To confirm that you are dealing with a pull and not just poor alignment, practice your aim on the driving range carefully. You should be able to reliably aim at your target prior to each and every shot. If possible, have a friend help you to double check your aim.

What does "block" mean in golf?

Regarding athletics, the trusted Webster's dictionary defines a block as “a halting or impeding of progress or movement.”. In golf, a block can mean two things. First, it describes a type of shot or ball flight. For a right-handed golfer a block is a shot that flies straight right of the target with no curve.

How to hit a golf shot without the ball?

Slide your right hand down to the bottom of the grip. Swing back with the split grip, which will force your right arm to fold early. On the downswing slide your right hand back up to meet your left and hit the shot. If you find at first it's difficult hitting a shot this way, try it without the golf ball first.

How to get rid of a triangle in golf?

The cure is to simply take the club back straight down the target line for the first several inches. Maintain the triangle formed by the arms, wrists and hands as you pull the clubhead away from the ball, making sure the shoulders rotate in unison with the triangle. Here's a good drill to ingrain the proper takeaway:

What does it mean when your ball is too far back in the stance?

If your ball is too far back in the stance then it is simply a matter of your clubface not having enough time to close.

What happens if you tuck your elbow in the pocket?

By over-tucking the right elbow it can cause the left elbow to point out towards the target holding the face open. It also causes the club to come down too far from the inside. CURE.

How to swing a golf club?

Place a light object, such as a clubhead cover or empty golf ball sleeve, about six inches behind the ball, directly on the target line. Keeping the clubhead low, push the object back and out of the way as you start the swing, letting the club arc naturally away from the target line.

What happens when you set your golf club late?

When the club is set late it mixes up the sequence of the swing and it make it hard for the golfer to maintain control of the club. If the golfer has to set the club near the top of the backswing the weight of the club carries the arms too far back.

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 ...

Why is my golf ball going left?

Here are 2 reasons why your golf shots are going to the left. 1. Your club face is closed at impact. No matter how good your grip, stance, or swing is, the position of the club face at impact is the most important factor that will determine the direction that your ball will take.

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.

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.

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.

Why is my ball not rolling across the ground?

In simplest terms, in order to get the ball up into the air — and not rolling across the ground — is to hit down into the dirt. (GETTY) If that’s not happening, there may be a few reasons why. Here are some of the most common I see: 1. Bad Posture. Good posture is the basis for solid contact.

How to throw a golf club toward the ground?

It can be helpful to practice this by placing a ball in your right hand, from your golf posture. Allow the elbow to fold as it would in your backswing and then throw the ball so that it hits the ground.

What ruins a golf swing?

Nothing ruins a great golf swing like a loss of balance. Assuming you’re in a good set up to start, it only takes a small loss of balance to cause you to top the ball. A good check of balance is holding your finish until your golf ball lands.

How to get the ball down to the ground?

1. Bad Posture. Good posture is the basis for solid contact. Bowing forward from your hips so that your hands can hang below your shoulders can put you in balance and also get the club down to the ground. Too much knee flex or squatting can often make it extremely difficult to get the club down into the turf, and therefore get the ball into the air.

How to brush grass without a club?

Keeping your hands away from your sternum can help to maintain the width of your backswing, making it easier to brush the grass. One of my favorite drills for feeling this is to hold your lead wrist with your trail hand. From here, make your backswing without a club and feel your trail arm pull your lead arm wide.

Why is it so hard to keep your head down?

The problem with keeping your head down is that it limits your body’s ability to move athletically. If you attempt to keep your head down, it’s very difficult to allow your body to rotate properly on your downswing to get the club down to the ground and the ball into the air. 7. Tension in hands and arms.

What happens if you stand too far away from the ball?

If you stand too far away from the ball at address, it’s almost difficult not to top the ball without a heroic move. Reaching for the ball — where your arms often get into a diagonal position — will often lead to a thin shot or a top.

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