Close Menu
Midwest Golf Magazine
  • Home
  • Issues
  • Subscription Program
  • MGM/WCGT Golf Outings
  • News
  • Advertisers
  • Media Kit
    • Distribution
  • Contact
    • About
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Latest News
  • U.S. Women’s Open Preview: “Field of Dreams” Erin Hills Readies for Its Latest USGA Test  
  • 2025 Spring Issue
  • The Back Nine at The Muni 9-hole Putting Course Opens at Vernon Hills Golf Course
  • The Fountains Country Club in Lake Worth, Florida – Still Going Strong
  • Vokey WedgeWorks Introduces New Tour Toe Stamp Wedges
  • TRUE linkswear Debuts First Spike Shoes, The Lux2 Maven and Lux2 Player
  • First Tee Week: National campaign launches May 19th at the Charles Schwab Challenge, Celebrating Coaches Who Are Game Changers in Their Communities
  • SeatGeek to Power Ticketing for USGA Championships; Become Official Partner of U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally 
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Midwest Golf Magazine
  • Home
  • Issues
  • Subscription Program
  • MGM/WCGT Golf Outings
  • News
  • Advertisers
  • Media Kit
    • Distribution
  • Contact
    • About
Midwest Golf Magazine
You are at:Home»Pro Page»Pro Page – A Few Simple Cures for Slices and Hooks
Pro Page

Pro Page – A Few Simple Cures for Slices and Hooks

Nate GrayBy Nate GrayNovember 10, 2020Updated:November 8, 2023No Comments4 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Do you hit your tee shots to the right? Do you pull your irons to the left? If this is you, then you need to take a look at the factors that help create this outcome. The ball flight you are seeing does not lie, and you need to figure a few things out to alleviate this problem.

First, we will look at the swing path and the clubface at impact. Spinning the ball from left to right is basically the difference between the degrees the path differentiates from the clubface at impact, or if the clubface is open to the swing path at impact. (Shaft lean at impact and the part of the clubface that makes contact with the ball can also play a large factor.) If the path is four degrees left (across your body meaning left of the intended target) and the face is square, the ball will spin to the right. But if the path is six degrees left and the clubface is six degrees left, the ball will go straight to the left. Conversely, if the path is two degrees right and the clubface is four degrees right the ball will spin to the right starting right. Basically, the clubface to swing path factor is what produces the flight.

So how do we fix it? The first things I look at are grip and alignment. Most slicers have a weak left-hand grip that is too much in the palm and not enough in the fingers. This grip will result in an open face at impact and holding the club in your palm will create tension in your wrist and forearm. So we need to strengthen the grip a little (or a lot) and get the grip in your fingers. If I just left you like that you would probably hit everything a mile left but it would feel better.

Now that the clubface is squaring up, we need to get your alignment squared up to the target. Most slicers aim right and swing hard to the left. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work very well. You just pull it more left and spin it righter while wearing out your back and arms at the same time. If you get lined up correctly you will feel like you are aiming left of the target and you will probably hook or pull hook the ball. With the ball traveling left consistently, you won’t need to swing left anymore and will want to swing more to the target or even a little right.

Now that we are aligned better and have a proper grip we will have to figure out how to stop going left. If your arms are the power supplier in your golf swing, you will have a hard time not pulling it left or hooking it. Let your legs supply the energy from the ground up and your arms will stay to your right longer on the downswing and your weight will shift to the left. If you get your weight left with the arms to the right (and not racing around your body), you will have a hard time pulling the ball and should produce straight shots that may even draw a little.

Your best bet in your quest to hitting more solid and straight shots is to see a PGA golf professional. Have them help you with your fundamentals so that your set up is balanced, relaxed, and square to the target. Then you can use YOUR swing to play great golf!

Nate Gray is the Head PGA Golf Professional at Fire Ridge Golf Club in Grafton, Wisconsin. Before Fire Ridge, Nate spent the previous seven years as a full-time golf instructor. Although he loves to help his students win championships, Nate hopes to resume a fuller schedule of competitive golf in the Wisconsin PGA Section events following his second shoulder surgery in the last three years. When Nate has free time his likes to spend it with his best pal Twigs. His lesson rates start at $40 per half for juniors and $50 per half hour for adults, plus he offers numerous lesson packages to customize your experience. He can be reached via email at ngray@fireridgecc.com or by phone at (262) 375-2252.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Nate Gray
  • Website

Related Posts

Get To Know The Pro – Craig Czerniejewski, Washington County- Hartford, WI

Pro Page – When is a Good Time to Review your Fundamentals? The Correct Answer is Anytime!

18Birdies Launches AI Coach

Comments are closed.

Current Issue
Online Issue
Receive Special Golf Offers By Email

Web Sponsor
Follow
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Subscription Program Courses

Subscribe to Midwest Golfing Magazine for only $50 and receive free rounds of golf. Cart not included with the free rounds and must be purchased. View Details >> banner banner MajesticOaks-Blue banner banner Platteville banner trappersturn Whispering Springs northernbay oldhickory northbrook banner banner banner banner banner banner banner banner banner banner banner banner

Follow Us
Midwest Golfing Magazine
Mission

Covering golf in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Copyright © Royle Publications - Greater Milwaukee Golf Show || Greater Madison Golf Show

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.