A pull hook is a golf shot that starts left of the target and then curves to the left finishing even further left of the intended target. It is caused when you swing your golf club with an out to in swing path.
To explain what this means, place an alignment pole on the ground to represent the target line. Swing path simply means the direction of travel of the club head through impact. An out to in swing path means that the club head is approaching the golf ball from the far side, or the outside of the target line, or alignment pole. The club head then moves on to the line to strike the golf ball and then continues to travel on the near side, or the inside of the target line as you move into your follow through.
If you are hitting a pull hook, you are swinging the club on this out to in swing path with a closed club face. The golf ball will curve in the air once it has been hit if there is a difference between the club’s swing path and club face aim. Club face is 85% responsible for the direction of travel of a golf ball and if you are hitting a pull hook, the ball is starting left of the target, so the club face is aiming left of the target, or it is closed, as you strike the ball. The ball then curves in the air as there is a difference between how left the club face is aiming and how far left the club head is travelling. Because of this difference, tilted axis spin is imparted on the golf ball and as a result the ball curves left in the air.
One of the main reasons for having an out to in swing path is that you have an over the top downswing. This means that as you are swinging the golf club down towards the golf ball, the club head is moving over the top of your hands and to the outside of the target line and from here you will have to pull the club head in towards the golf ball and then to the inside. To correct this, take an alignment pole and push it into the target line about four feet to the right of the golf ball as you are addressing it. Push the alignment pole into the ground so that it leans at a 45 degree angle on the inside of the target line. If you are practicing at the driving range, place the pole in a range basket to create the angle. Work on swinging your golf club so that you strike the ball and then keep the club head on the upper side of the alignment pole, rather than the underside.
As you swing the club head just above the alignment pole, keep the club face aiming at the target and you will begin to hit straight golf shots. Work on making this movement slowly at first and then as you become more comfortable and confident with the swing, gradually build the speed back up.
