How do I stop hooking the ball?

What causes it

A hook curves hard left for a right-hander. The face is closed relative to the path at impact, which is often caused by a very strong grip, an over-active release of the hands, or a path that is far too inside-out. Sometimes it is a reaction to years of fighting a slice, where the golfer has over-corrected the grip and release.

How golfers fix it

Few golfers have reported fixing a hook with video so far, and the data is thin. Rick Shiels' 5 Simple Ways To Fix Your Golf Hook, recommended by 2 golfers who both say it helped, begins with grip changes. Other recommended clips look at the takeaway, since an overly inside move can load the path too far from the inside. Typical fixes include:

• Weakening the lead-hand grip until you see about two knuckles.
• Quieting the hands through impact rather than flipping them over.
• Fixing an inside takeaway, as in the Justin Rose and Nelly Korda drills golfers recommend.

Common mistakes

Aiming the body far right to allow for the hook only makes the swing more inside-out. Weakening the grip too much overnight can flip you straight into a slice, so make small changes. Also avoid trying to hold the face open by force, which tires the hands and tends to come undone under pressure.

Written with AI from the lessons and recommendations above. Not a substitute for a coach.