September’s Tip of the Month Why You Hook the Ball (and How to Fix It)

BY RYAN WILLIAMS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

So, you’re fighting the hook. Few things feel more frustrating for an experienced golfer than watching shot after shot dive left with no way to stop it. Speaking from experience, the only time I ever considered quitting golf was during a stretch where every ball I hit curved hard left. Many great players go through it, and what’s left is usually an absolute disdain for the dreaded hook. As the saying goes: “You can talk to a fade, but a hook won’t listen.”

The first step in fixing your hook is identifying which kind you have. Let’s break down the two most common versions.

1. The “Hooky” Set-Up

Some players set themselves up to hook before they even swing. Common signs include:

• A strong grip, with the hands turned away from the target.

• Feet aligned well right of the target.

• Ball positioned too far back in the stance.

With this set-up, the clubface stays closed throughout the swing, producing a left curve. In response, players often aim farther right or move the ball even farther back—unfortunately, this makes the hook worse. Here’s why: the swing path shifts even farther right of the clubface, meaning the clubface is effectively more left of the path. The greater the difference between face and path, the bigger the curve—and in this case, more hook.

The Fix:

Grab a 7- or 8-iron. Point the clubhead to the sky with the clubface square, then place your lead hand followed by your trail hand on the grip from a neutral, side-on angle. With your elbows relaxed at your sides and the shaft centered, lower the club to the ground. You should feel symmetrical and balanced, with thumbs running straight down the shaft. This neutral set-up dramatically reduces the chance of a hook.

2. The “Slingy” Hook

Other players appear to do everything right—neutral grip, proper alignment—yet the ball still curves left. In these cases, the problem usually comes from releasing the club too early. The shaft “catches up” with the lead arm, causing the clubface to close too soon. Most often, this early release stems from poor sequencing: the body outraces the arms in the downswing, leaving the club to flip.

Players who struggle with this often also:

• Hit the ground before the ball.

• Launch shots unusually high.

• Prefer the ball teed up or sitting in fluffy lies.

The Fix:

Start small. Hit soft pitch shots, then progress to punch shots with one goal: finish with the clubhead as low as possible. Keeping the clubhead low forces you to maintain the angle in your trail wrist rather than “slinging” the club through. This not only promotes ball-first contact but also keeps the clubface under control—giving you consistency in both direction and trajectory.

Another great drill can be done without a ball: from the top of the backswing, rehearse moving the grip down in front of your lead hip while keeping the shaft parallel to the ground. This feel gets the hands and arms more forward into impact, delaying the closing of the face.

Finding Your Pattern

Do either of these sound like you? Not sure? Our professional staff is here to help diagnose your swing and get you back on track. Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’ll make sure the only curves you see on the course are the ones on the fairway.