Swing Faults – Part 1
The hardest shot to play in golf is the STRAIGHT shot.
Even if you are successful the main problem with a straight shot is that unless it is EXACTLY on line, the ball will always be going away from your target.
With a fade or a draw the ball is always moving in the direction of the target.
Think about it!
The problem here of course is when a draw becomes a HOOK and when a fade becomes a SLICE and more importantly what do you do to correct it when it does.
Before you can cure any swing fault you need to understand the basic problem and have methods to correct the situation.
This article will discuss the two most common faults in golf, the slice and the hook and provide you with some cures.
Slice
The left to right shot is caused by swinging the club to the left and across your target line with an open clubface therefore imparting left to right spin on the ball and possible cures are:
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Imagine a high voltage power cable running 18” above and along your target line and above the ball and focus on hitting the ball without making FATAL contact with the cable therefore creating an in to out swing path rather than out to in.
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Alternatively to avoid over rotation of your left arm on the back swing and the resulting ‘fanning’ open of the club face simply hood the club face at the point the club shaft reaches parallel (to the ground) on the back swing.
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Mentally you should attempt to maintain a vision of the leading edge of the clubface and ‘feel’ the toe of the club turn over as you swing through the ball therefore preventing the club opening at the point of impact.
Hook
The right to left shot is caused by swinging the club to the right and across your target line with a closed clubface therefore imparting right to left spin on the ball and possible cures are:
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Attempt to take the club head away from the ball more on an outside line and avoid the ‘feel’ of the club and shaft going behind you and the back swing.
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Mentally imagine the type of swing path needed to create a divot, which is deeper at the heel than the toe of the club.
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On the downswing and at the point of impact prevent your hands from rolling over too soon.
Clearly there are many other possible reasons for golfers hooking and slicing a golf ball but the result is the same, the club head crosses the target line either to the right or the left instead of travelling down the target line.
There are also many other different ways to cure the problems but your golf coach needs to assess both your golf swing and physical capabilities before offering corrective advice to you.