Ball Flight Faults: Curving Left

Here are some quick tips for golfers who often hook their shots to the left of the target. Note: This is written from the perspective of right-handed golfers. A left-handed golfer hitting a curving ball to the left would be hitting a slice, not a hook, so lefties should reverse the directional elements in the text below.

For more, including advice on balls that go straight left (as opposed to curving left), see Faults and Fixes Tip Sheets. These quick tips are from instructor Roger Gunn of GolfLevels.com.

Ball Flight Description: The ball turns too far to the left by curving away from the target.

Curving Left: Quick Tips

Grip: Your hand or hands, especially your left hand, may be turned too far to the right in your grip. The "V's" formed between the index finger and thumb on both hands should point up to between your right shoulder and right ear.

Set-up: Your shoulders and/or feet might be aimed too far to the right.

Ball position: The ball might be too far back in your stance.

Backswing: Your backswing might be too far inside, pulling away from the target line too quickly. This often goes along with the club going across the line at the top. Additionally, there can be a counter-clockwise twisting of the club during the backswing.

Downswing: Your right 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 right through impact.

In Depth: Diagnosing and Fixing a Hook