The Golf Swing
Your golf swing is the most important part of your game. Without a good swing, you're not going to deliver good shots or get anywhere near the green in a decent number of shots. Plus, if you have a bad swing you're going to end up hooking and slicing your shots like nobody's business.
Today we're going to look at one reason hooks and slices happen, and how to cure a slice.
The Impact
A hook is where the ball pulls to the left (if you're right handed), and a slice is the opposite where the ball pulls to the right.
Hooks happen because your club face is too closed (rotated to the left) when you impact the ball, and a slice is again the opposite where the club face is too open (rotated to the right).
Reasons for not having a straight club face during your swing include your grip, your backswing, your stance and your positioning and aim. It can also be to do with your swing itself, and your follow through motion.
The Follow Through
Since the swing is generally a fast movement it can be hard to control. You have a rough idea of what you want to do and where you want the ball to go, and how you want the club to move through the air and with practice you'll eventually hit that sweet spot.
But, the follow through is the part that most affects the outcome of the shot. During the backswing you're getting ready. This takes a few seconds. During the main actual swing - which takes a fraction of a second - you can't really think much. Then you're into the follow through which is a second slow part and gives you time to adjust.
The problem is that during the downswing you're already thinking about the follow through and that affects the position of the club face. By having a good follow through action, your club face will remain square and your shots will fly true.
To practice having a square follow through, try this tip:
Place another tee 6-8 inches in front of your ball tee. When you swing, try to hit both tees with the same swing. This will force you to follow through in a straight line, hopefully counteracting any hooks or slices. Keep your grip strong and set yourself up properly with a square club face and you should be good to go!