How to Fix a Hook with a Driver in Five Steps
Does your driver slice violently to the left? Rick Shiels suggests five adjustments to be made in sequence: three to control the clubface, followed by alignment and club path—which he considers the most important. The ultimate goal: a slight fade.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
For Rick Shiels, it all starts with the clubface, that is, through the grip. Golfers who hook the ball often have their left hand too far on top and their right hand too far underneath. You need to reduce the grip: Position the glove logo closer to the target, with your right hand slightly higher. The ball may start off going straight to the right, but higher and without a hook. Then, during the takeaway, the tip remains slightly ahead of the heel, and at the top of the backswing, the left wrist remains flat, in line with the forearm. Upon impact, the arms extend with very little rotation of the wrists.
For him, the last two points are the most important. A golfer who hooks the ball gradually turned his body to the right: You should feel your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders positioned further to the left of the target line. Then change the club path: Placing a cover about 30 centimeters inside the ball corrects a swing that comes in too far from the outside. You swing more through the ball, from the outside in.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Rotate your left hand so that the glove's logo faces more toward the target; place your right hand a little higher on the grip.
- At the takeaway, keep the clubhead slightly ahead of the heel.
- At the top of the backswing, align the back of the grip with your left forearm.
- Reach your arms out across the ball, keeping wrist rotation to a minimum.
- Behind the ball, choose a reference point on the target line, then align your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders slightly to its left.
- Place a cover about 30 centimeters inside the ball and swing without touching it—swing right through the ball.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Left hand too high, right hand too low.
- Facing the floor at the takeout counter.
- Left wrist bent too far forward at the top of the swing.
- Close the clubface with your wrists at impact.
- Align to the right to compensate for the hook.
- Swing more and more to the right, from the inside.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Checking the grip before each shot
- Left wrist flat at the top, verified on video
- Alignment with a reference point, body shifted to the left
- Place the cover inside the ball, aim for a fade
Your Questions
My ball goes straight to the right after I change my grip—is that normal?
Yes. Rick Shiels points out that this is often the first step: the ball flies higher and no longer hooks. The subsequent adjustments bring it back on target.
Where should I place the cover to correct the path?
Inside the ball, about a foot—or thirty centimeters—away. With your usual swing, the club would hit it on the downswing.
Why move further to the left?
Because a golfer who hooks the ball has often aligned themselves to the right without realizing it, which perpetuates the hook. Have someone film you to check.
What trajectory should you aim for when you hook?
A fade—a shot that curves slightly from left to right—is the opposite of a hook and, for him, the hooker’s dream shot.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Rick Shiels). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.