Rotation that stops upon impact: the cause of a hook
Cameron McCormick and Corey Lundberg, coaches on the Titleist staff, address the hook in the order in which they teach it: a simple tip on the clubface, then body rotation, and finally wrist and left-arm action.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Both coaches point out that the hook affects only a minority of golfers—about 7 to 10%, and that a slightly strong face is better than an open face. The hook, with centered contact, is a too left-leaning stance relative to the target or the path. First level, the simplest: place a tee in the center of the clubface and feel, with your arms and hands, the clubface more right-leaning upon rebound.
If that's not enough, they examine the body: often, it slows down or stops Upon impact, the clubhead accelerates. The key: as soon as you reach the top of the backswing, the belt buckle keeps turning toward the target. Final step: the left wrist and arm—maintain the angle of the wrist as it moves downward and feel the Left arm moves away from the body toward the target, with the palm facing upward. Bonus for irons players: a shaft that’s angled more toward the front and greater compression.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Attach a tee to the center of the face using double-sided tape.
- Repeat the return to impact once or twice, feeling the clubface point more to the right, and then swing through.
- If the hook persists, take your backswing all the way back, then rotate your waist toward the target without stopping.
- Slide a tee into the slot in the glove at the wrist to visualize the angle of your left wrist at address.
- Lower it slowly, keeping this angle facing to the right.
- Take slow swings, with your left arm just below horizontal, then let your left arm extend toward the target, palm facing up, and finish with one hand.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- A body that slows down or comes to a stop upon impact.
- Active hands that close the face at the bottom of the swing.
- The left arm locks against the body as the clubhead swings through.
- Start with the most technical one instead of the simplest one.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Tee in the center of the face, face felt to the right
- A belt buckle that spins all the way to the finish
- Slow swings, left-hand-only finish
- Check for mobility if the rotation is stuck
Your Questions
Where do you start when you're hooking?
According to the two coaches, the simplest approach is to use a reference point on the clubface and aim to bring it more to the right at impact. You should only move on to the body and then the left arm if that isn't enough.
Why does a body that comes to a stop cause a hook?
When the rotation slows down, the clubhead accelerates and the toe passes the heel too quickly. By keeping the belt buckle rotating, the closure of the clubface slows down.
What is the purpose of the tee tucked into the glove?
Pay attention to the angle of the left wrist. On the downswing, it should remain turned toward the right; if it turns to the left, it’s the wrists that are closing the clubface.
What does “separating the left arm from the body” mean?
After impact, the left arm extends toward the target instead of staying tucked in. Coaches also see this as a benefit when hitting irons: it results in more shaft tilt and compression.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Cameron McCormick). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.