Mastering the Hook in Golf: Causes, Best Training Aids, and Drills to Fix It

A hook in golf can be one of the most frustrating shot patterns to deal with, but with the right understanding and approach, it can be corrected. Unlike a slice, where the ball curves hard to the right for right-handed golfers, a hook veers sharply to the left, often leaving golfers scratching their heads. This guide will explore what causes a hook in golf, the best training aids to help correct it, and the most effective drills to eliminate the hook and regain control over your game.

What is a Hook in Golf?

A hook is when the ball starts off straight or slightly to the right and then curves sharply to the left (for a right-handed golfer). For left-handed golfers, it’s the opposite. While some golfers aim for a controlled draw (a gentle, intentional hook), an uncontrolled hook is problematic and difficult to predict.

What Causes a Hook?

There are several common reasons why golfers experience hooks:

1. Closed Clubface: The most common cause of a hook is having the clubface too closed at impact. This imparts a significant amount of sidespin, causing the ball to curve hard to the left.
2. Inside-Out Swing Path: When your swing path is too far inside-to-outside, it can lead to hooks, especially if paired with a closed clubface.
3. Strong Grip: A strong grip (where both hands are rotated too far clockwise on the club for a right-handed golfer) encourages an overactive hand release and clubface rotation, leading to a hook.
4. Over-Rotation of the Body: If your upper body over-rotates too quickly during your downswing, it can cause the clubface to close too early, sending the ball left.

Best Training Aids to Fix a Hook

Using the right training aids can help you correct the swing mechanics that lead to a hook. Below are some of the most effective aids that can assist you in straightening out your shots.

1. The Impact Snap:
   The Impact Snap is a favorite among golf instructors because it helps players develop better wrist action through impact. This training aid emphasizes the correct wrist position during the swing, preventing premature closure of the clubface—a common cause of hooks. By using the Impact Snap, you can improve your ability to keep the clubface square, leading to straighter shots.
   More information about how the Impact Snap can help fix a hook.
   More information about how the Impact Snap can help fix a slice.
   More information about the Impact Snap.
2. Tour Striker Smart Ball:
   The Smart Ball is an inflatable ball that you place between your forearms during your swing. This training aid helps keep your arms connected to your body throughout the swing, promoting a more consistent swing path. It helps prevent overactive hands that can cause the clubface to shut prematurely, resulting in a hook.
   More information about how the Tour Striker Smart Ball can help fix a hook.
   More information about the Tour Striker Smart Ball.
3. The Divot Board:
   The Divot Board is a unique feedback tool that shows exactly where your club makes contact with the ground during your swing. It’s particularly useful for identifying a swing path that’s too far inside-out, which is a key cause of hooks. By seeing where your divot starts, you can adjust your swing path to something more neutral, resulting in straighter shots.
   More information about how a Divot Board can help fix a hook. 
   More information about a Divot Board.
4. Orange Whip Trainer:
   The Orange Whip is another popular training aid that helps golfers develop better tempo, rhythm, and balance. Many golfers who hook the ball suffer from rushing their swing or over-rotating their bodies, which leads to a closed clubface at impact. The Orange Whip encourages smoother swings and promotes a proper weight shift, helping you stay in control and keep the clubface square.
   More information about how to use the Orange Whip Trainer to fix a hook
   More information about the Orange Whip Trainer
5. The Hanger:
   The Hanger is a swing training aid that attaches to your club and provides real-time feedback on your wrist positions throughout the swing. It helps you maintain the proper wrist angle, preventing the face from shutting too early in the downswing. By promoting a square face at impact, The Hanger can help you avoid hooks and improve consistency.
   More information about how to use the Hanger to fix a hook.
   More information about the Hanger.
6. SuperSpeed Golf Training System:
   While primarily known for increasing swing speed, SuperSpeed Golf also helps with swing path issues. The training system consists of three weighted clubs that allow you to work on both swing speed and mechanics. Over time, practicing with SuperSpeed can improve your swing sequencing, which can help prevent the overactive hands and body rotation that lead to hooks.
   More information about how to use the SuperSpeed Golf Training System to fix a hook.
   More information about the SuperSpeed Golf Training System.
7. Golf Pride ALIGN Grips:
   Sometimes, correcting your hook can be as simple as improving your grip. Golf Pride’s ALIGN grips feature a raised ridge along the back of the grip, providing golfers with a consistent hand placement every time. This ensures you’re not inadvertently using a strong grip that could close the clubface and cause a hook.
   More information about how the ALIGN grips can help your hook.
   More information about ALIGN grips.

Best Drills to Fix a Hook

Training aids are effective, but pairing them with the right drills will accelerate your progress. Here are some proven drills to help you eliminate your hook and promote a straighter ball flight.

1. Alignment Stick Drill:
   • Use two alignment sticks—one placed along your target line and one on the ground inside the ball, angled slightly left. This setup helps you visualize and practice a more neutral swing path, avoiding the inside-out path that leads to hooks.
   • Practice swinging along the line of the sticks, making sure your club follows a straight-back, straight-through path. This drill encourages a more neutral swing plane and helps prevent hooks.
2. Neutral Grip Practice:
   • Many golfers who struggle with hooks have a grip that’s too strong. To weaken your grip, rotate both hands slightly to the left (for right-handed golfers). Practice hitting shots with this grip, focusing on keeping the clubface square through impact.
   • A weaker grip will help reduce the likelihood of the face closing too quickly and causing a hook.
3. Feet Together Drill:
   • Standing with your feet together forces you to focus on balance and a smooth swing. Without the ability to rely on lower-body rotation, this drill encourages better rhythm and timing.
   • This drill can help prevent over-rotation of your hips and upper body, which is often a cause of the clubface closing too early, resulting in a hook.
4. Clubface Awareness Drill:
   • Hit shots while focusing entirely on the position of your clubface at impact. Start with small half swings and work your way up to full swings. After each shot, reflect on whether the clubface was square, open, or closed.
   • By developing greater awareness of your clubface position, you’ll be better equipped to keep it square at impact and prevent hooking the ball.
5. The Pause at the Top Drill:
   • One of the most common reasons for a hook is rushing through the downswing. Practice pausing for a split second at the top of your backswing before beginning your downswing. This drill allows you to complete your backswing fully before starting your downswing, preventing overactive hands and body rotation.
   • The pause gives you time to set your swing sequence correctly, improving your timing and helping you hit straighter shots.
6. Swing Path Gate Drill:
   • Set up two tees or small cones just in front of your ball, spaced slightly wider than your clubhead. Your goal is to swing through the gate without hitting the obstacles, which helps train a more neutral swing path.
   • This drill helps avoid the excessively inside-out swing path that leads to hooks, encouraging a straighter takeaway and downswing.

Long-Term Strategies to Prevent a Hook

In addition to using training aids and drills, adopting long-term strategies will help you permanently fix your hook:

1. Regular Grip Checks: Grip issues are a common cause of hooks. Make a habit of checking your grip regularly to ensure it hasn’t shifted into a stronger position. A neutral grip promotes a square clubface and helps eliminate hooks.
2. Video Your Swing: Periodically recording your swing and analyzing it for signs of an inside-out path or an overly closed clubface can provide valuable feedback. Use slow-motion video to check your body alignment, swing path, and clubface at impact.
3. Practice with Purpose: Instead of mindlessly hitting balls at the range, always practice with a specific goal in mind—whether it’s improving your grip, swing path, or clubface control. Focused practice leads to faster improvements.
4. Work with a Golf Coach: A certified golf instructor can identify subtle swing flaws that lead to a hook. Personalized feedback from a professional will accelerate your improvement and help you lock in the changes you need to make.

By understanding the causes of a hook and using the right combination of training aids and drills, you can correct this frustrating issue and hit more consistent, straight shots. Stick with these tips, and soon you’ll be able to keep your drives and approach shots on target, bringing more control and enjoyment to your golf game. For more tips on how to fix common swing flaws, explore our other articles on golf swing improvement and training aids!