The hook: why it happens, and what fixes it

The opposite of the slice — left-curving, often a face that closes too quickly through impact.

274 videos by 65 coaches set out to fix the hook.

The diagnosis

What the coaches say is causing it

How often each is named as the cause, across the videos that set out to fix the hook.

The fix

The drills that fix the hook

Most-taught first, each with the coaches who teach it.

  1. Gate Drill: used by 3 coaches in 3 videos that fix the hook, and we filmed it.
  2. Towel Drill: used by 3 coaches in 3 videos that fix the hook, and we filmed it.
  3. Split Grip Drill: used by 2 coaches in 3 videos that fix the hook.
  4. Motorcycle Drill: used by 2 coaches in 2 videos that fix the hook.
  5. Preset Drill: used by 1 coach in 2 videos that fix the hook.
  6. Alignment Stick Path Drill: used by 1 coach in 1 video that fix the hook.

Who to watch first

The coaches who fix it most

Ranked by how much of their library is this miss.

The videos

The videos that fix the hook outright

Ranked by fit: this is the miss each one sets out to fix.

  1. STOP Tilting and START Pivoting - The Secrets of a Rotary Swing by Warren Bennett Golf Academy. Excessive tilting (right shoulder dropping toward the right pocket) causes the club to get 'stuck' behind the body, leading to fat shots and hooks.
  2. Start Driving it Like a Pro by Fixing This ONE Thing! by Steve Pratt Golf. The club face angle accounts for 80-83% of the ball's starting direction on a drive.
  3. You'll Never Struggle With Slices or Hooks After This by Good Golf Coaching. Face-to-path is the most critical metric for controlling ball flight curvature; a positive value indicates a slice, while negative indicates a hook.
  4. NO DRILLS NEEDED - Over the Top vs Under Plane Fixes by Warren Bennett Golf Academy. Slicers should nudge their pockets toward the target at setup to create natural spine tilt and allow the club to drop inside.
  5. GOLF LESSON WITH A SECRET TOUR PRO ⛳️⛳️ by Josh Bell Golf. Avoid a 'lifty' upright backswing which often leads to a closed clubface and an 'across the line' position.
  6. Stop Sliding Your Hips (Fix Blocks & Hooks Instantly) by Matt Baker Golf | Malaska Certified Coach. Excessive lateral hip movement (sliding) is a primary cause of inconsistent club release and directional misses.
  7. COMMENT TEST for free grip test If you want to hit the ball straight, your clubface has to be by Ashley Knoll Golf. Your grip controls the clubface orientation at impact, more so than your swing path or thoughts.
  8. Master Your Swing: Free Expert Analysis! #GolfTips #SwingImprovement by Michael Kanev Golf. A clubface that is closed and outside the hands during the takeaway often results in a hook.
  9. 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 – 𝗙𝗶𝘅 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮 #shorts by Bryan Seton | Golf, Simplified. Standing too far from the ball causes the club's toe to lift, which tends to shut the face and cause hooks.
  10. You’ll Wish You Knew This Driver Tip Sooner (Add 20+ Yards) #golf #golftips #golftip by AlexElliottGolf. Heel strikes are a primary cause of slices, while toe strikes lead to hooks.
  11. Why This Scratch Golfer Couldn’t Keep His Driver Straight by Meandmygolf. A forward ball position with driver often leads to hitting too far 'up', which can close the face and cause hooks.
  12. Stop Blocking & Hooking - ‘EXIT LEFT’ Explained by Warren Bennett Golf Academy. Controlling your hand plane post-impact directly influences the club's path through the ball.

Something else going wrong?