Alright, so, “how to fix a duck hook” – I gotta tell ya, this one’s been plaguing me for ages. Finally think I’m starting to get somewhere, so figured I’d share my experience, maybe it’ll help someone else out there.
The Struggle Was Real
First off, I knew I had a problem. My ball was starting way right (I’m a righty) and then just hooking like crazy left. Forget fairways, I was finding trees, water, you name it. It was embarrassing, honestly.
Diagnosis: Hands and Clubface
So, I started digging around online, watching videos, the usual. Pretty quickly realized it was probably something to do with my grip and how the clubface was closing at impact. Everyone says that, right? But how to fix it? That’s the million-dollar question.
The Fix Attempt #1: Weakening the Grip
- What I Did: Tried weakening my grip. Basically, I shifted my hands a little more to the left (so you could see fewer knuckles on my left hand when looking down at address).
- What Happened: Not much. Maybe slightly better, but the duck hook was still there, just not quite as dramatic. Frustrating.
The Fix Attempt #2: Focusing on Takeaway
- What I Did: Read somewhere that a closed clubface at takeaway can lead to a hook. So, I really focused on keeping the clubface square (or even slightly open) during the first part of my swing.
- What Happened: This actually made things worse! I think I overcorrected, and the ball started going straight right. Talk about a slice.
The Fix Attempt #3: The Eureka Moment (Maybe?) – Swing Path
- What I Did: Went back to basics and filmed my swing. That’s when I saw it: my swing path was WAY inside-out. Meaning I was swinging from inside my body line, way out towards the ball, and then overcompensating with my hands to square the clubface, resulting in that nasty hook.
- The Drill: I found this drill where you put an alignment stick on the ground, angled slightly outside your target line. The idea is to swing along that line, promoting a more neutral swing path.
- What Happened: Dude, this actually started to work! It felt really weird at first, like I was swinging out to right field, but the ball started straighter. I still get a little hook sometimes, but it’s way more manageable, and I’m actually hitting fairways again!
Still a Work in Progress
Look, I’m not saying I’ve completely fixed it. Golf is a constant battle, right? But focusing on my swing path has made a HUGE difference. I’m hitting the ball more consistently, and the duck hook is becoming a distant memory. For now anyway. I’ll keep practicing that drill, and hopefully, it becomes second nature.
Key Takeaways:
- Film your swing! Seriously, you can’t fix what you can’t see.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. What works for one person might not work for you.
- Be patient. Golf is hard.
Hope this helps someone out there struggling with the same thing. Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips or tricks – I’m always looking for ways to improve!
