Slice vs Hook – What’s The Difference, Main Causes & How to Fix Them
Two of the most dreaded shots in golf are the slice and hook. Sometimes, on rare occasions, you intentionally want to hit either of these shots to get out of a particular situation.
Most of the time, however, a slice or hook happens very unintentionally. When that happens, it usually spells disaster!
Here are the key points that will be covered in the article:
- What is a Slice in golf? A Slice is a shot that starts left of the target line (for right-handed golfers) and due to right to left side spin, dramatically curves to the right. It is for the most part, an uncontrolled and unwanted shot shape.
- What is a Hook in golf? A Hook is a shot that starts right of the target line (for right-handed golfers) and due to left to right side spin, dramatically curves to the left. Again, like the slice, this is usually an uncontrolled and unwanted shot shape.
- I will walk you through the major difference between a slice and a hook. A slice and hook are more or less the same shot, only in reverse. Both are usually unwanted and cause problems as you make your way through the course.
- What are the main causes of a Slice and a Hook? The path of the club as well as the clubface angle, in relation to the path and the target line, are why slices and hooks happen. What causes these conditions can be a variety of things, from poor alignment, a strong or weak grip, a cupped or bowed wrist, and even ball placement. We will break these all down.
- Tips on how you can stop Slicing and Hooking the ball. I will give you some tips on how to have better control of your clubface at impact, how to get your swing path in better shape, and other ideas on how to eliminate the slice and hook in your game.
Contents
What is a Slice and Hook in Golf?
The objective in golf is to get the ball into the hole in the fewest number of strokes. That is the very basics of the game. The holes we play on the course come in many different shapes and sizes. It is rare to have a hole that is perfectly straight.
With that in mind, a golfer’s ability to hit the ball in a variety of different shot shapes can be helpful to achieving the goal of getting the ball into the hole in as few shots as possible.
Hitting the ball straight, left to right, or right to left on demand takes incredible skill. This is especially the case when you want to be able to control the amount of curvature you put on the ball.
As I pointed out in the opening, we can define a slice and a hook as follows:
- A Slice is a shot that starts left of the target line (for right-handed golfers) and due to right to left side spin, dramatically curves to the right. It is for the most part, an uncontrolled and unwanted shot shape.
- A Hook is a shot that starts right of the target line (for right-handed golfers) and due to left to right side spin, dramatically curves to the left. Again, like the slice, this is usually an uncontrolled and unwanted shot shape.
There are indeed situations where golfers intentionally want to hit a slice or a hook. These are usually when trying to escape trouble. Occasionally, a highly sliced golfer will attempt to hit a slice or hook on a hole that dramatically moves from right to left or left to right.
More controlled variations of a left to right, or right to left shot are desirable in many cases. A Fade is a more controlled, or less dramatic left to right shot. A Draw is a more controlled, or less dramatic right to left shot.
What is the Difference Between a Slice and a Hook?
Quite simply, a Slice is a shot that moves from left to right dramatically and a Hook is a shot that works from right to left.
To really understand how golf shots happen you need to learn the science, and the cause and effect behind ball flight. This is a basic and necessary knowledge that all golf coaches need to possess in order to assist students. If you are a golfer, this knowledge is very useful for you as well, especially if you do not take instruction.
When I was growing up, and first learning the game, as well as learning how to teach it early in my career, the following where the ball flight laws, we worked off of…
- Push – Path is inside to outside, face is square to path.
- Push Slice – Path is inside to outside, face is open to path.
- Push Hook – Path is inside to outside, face is closed to path.
- Straight – Path is straight to target line, face is square to path.
- Pull – Path is outside to inside, face is square to path.
- Pull Hook – Path is outside to inside, face is closed to path.
- Pull Slice – Path is outside to inside, face is open to path.
- Slice – Path is straight to target line, face is open.
- Hook – Path is straight to target line, face is closed.
In recent years, with the advent of technology such as TrackMan and FlightScope, we have learned much more about how ball flight is actually influenced. The nine ball flight laws above are now referred to as the “Old Ball Flight Laws.”
With the “Old Ball Flight Laws” the ball was thought to have started its flight based on the club’s path. The face would determine the curve of the ball.
Today, because of what we now know, the “New Ball Flight Laws” are in place. In this new rendition of ball flight parameters, it is known that the clubface at impact, in relation to the target line, determines the start direction of the ball. The swing path, in relation to the clubface, will determine curvature.
Clubface (In relation to target line) + Swing Path (In relation to the clubface) = Ball Flight
- Straight – Face is square to target, and square to a straight path.
- Straight Slice – Face is square to target, and open to outside to inside path.
- Straight Draw – Face is square to target and closed to inside to outside path.
- Push Slice – Face is open to target, and open to a straight path.
- Push Straight – Face is open to target, and square to inside to outside path.
- Push Draw – Face is open to target and closed to inside to outside path.
- Pull Slice – Face is closed to target, and open to outside to inside path.
- Pull Straight – Face is closed to target, and square to outside to inside path.
- Pull Draw – Face is closed to target and closed to straight path.
What Golfers Do That Causes a Slice and a Hook
In the previous section I covered what a Slice and a Hook are. Additionally, I made note of the science, or cause and effect behind shot shape in golf.
Next, I want to highlight the many reasons why golfers hit slices and hooks. Some happen in set up and a few happen during the course of the swing itself.
In The Pre-Swing
The following are some pre-swing inaccuracies that cause a slice and hook.
Grip (Slice)
A weak grip can lead to a slice. A weak grip is one in which the V’s which are created by the thumb and the index finger point more towards the chin. A standard, neutral grip is one in which those V’s are pointing more at the center of the trail shoulder.
A weak grip tends to introduce the clubface into the ball at impact in an open position.
Grip (Hook)
A strong grip can lead to a hook. A strong grip is one in which the V’s which are created by the thumb and the index finger point towards or beyond the far edge of the trail shoulder. A standard, neutral grip is one in which those V’s are pointing more at the center of the trail shoulder.
A strong grip tends to introduce the clubface into the ball at impact in a closed position.
Alignment (Slice)
How you line your body up in relation to your target line can have a big impact on the path you swing the club on.
To get set into a good neutral and straight alignment, you want to have your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders parallel left of your target line (for right handers).
In general terms, a player that gets their body set too open, or too far left (for righties), will significantly raise the chances of having a swing path that moves too far from outside to inside on the downswing. That by itself will not necessarily cause a slice.
Remember, according to the “New Ball Flight Laws,” the clubface, in relation to your target line + your swing path, in relation to the clubface = Ball Flight.
So, if your alignment is too open, or too far to the left, in relation to your target line, the following could happen:
- Straight Slice – Outside to inside swing path with your clubface square to your target but open to your path.
- Pull Slice – Outside to inside swing path with your clubface closed to your target but open to your path.
Alignment (Hook)
In general terms, a player that gets their body set too closed, or too far right (for righties), will significantly raise the chances of having a swing path that moves too far from inside to outside on the downswing. That by itself will not necessarily cause a hook.
Again, remember, according to the “New Ball Flight Laws,” the clubface, in relation to your target line + your swing path, in relation to the clubface = Ball Flight.
So, if your alignment is too closed, or too far to the right, in relation to your target line, the following could happen:
- Straight Draw – Inside to outside swing path with a clubface square to your target but closed to your path.
- Pull Draw – Inside to outside swing path with a clubface closed to your target and closed to your path.
Posture
Good posture means having your body set in a way that will allow you to be athletic in your swing.
Your posture plays a role in allowing you move into your trail side in the backswing and into your lead side in the downswing effectively. Good posture also helps in balance, which is key to having a good golf swing.
Slice – Those that favor getting their weight too much into their heels at set up will tend to fall forward in the downswing. This will lead to having a swing path that goes from the outside to the inside on the downswing. That path can often lead to a Slice.
Hook – Those that get too hunched over in their posture or bent too far forward in set up tend to get into what’s called “Early Extension” on the downswing and at impact. Early extension is the loss of your primary spine angle as the hips move towards the ball as you come into impact. This can cause many issues. A common result is a Hook.
As a player who early extends, they will lose the space needed for their hands to properly come through at impact. As a result, they will try to save the shot with their hands, often causing a hook.
Ball Position
Proper ball position at set up is another key component in set-up. Where you play the ball in your stance changes slightly with each club. It also changes when you are attempting to hit shots of different trajectories.
Sometimes ball position can be a root cause of hitting hooks and slices.
Getting the ball too far back in your stance can cause hooks. Getting the ball too far away from you can as well. Getting the ball too far forward in your stance can cause slices. Getting the ball too close to your body at set up can as well.
The Swing Itself
The following are some in-swing inaccuracies that cause a clice and hook.
Takeaway and Backswing
In the initial takeaway you want to have the club go back low and slow. In addition, you want the path of the clubhead to be ever so slightly inside of your target line.
Golfers that get the club going too far to the inside or too far outside on that initial takeaway could be setting themselves up for path issues on the downswing. This can lead to both hooks and slices.
Another common issue that happens in the initial takeaway is rolling your hands to the inside. This causes the clubface to open as you go back.
This is a predecessor of having a clubface open throughout the swing and can cause a slice. You want to keep the toe of the club outside of the heel in the takeaway.
Your Lead Wrist During the Swing
Your lead wrist can basically be seen as being your clubface. How your lead wrist works, so will your clubface. As you go back in your swing, and move up to the top of your backswing, you want to keep that lead wrist flat.
In a previous article, on pulled shots in golf, I reviewed some important terms to know as it relates to your wrists in the golf swing. Let’s look once again at those definitions, in relation to what your wrist and forearms could be doing in the swing.
Flexion and Extension
- Flexion – When your wrist is bowed. Your palm moves down towards the ground.
- Extension – When your wrist is cupped. Your pam moves up towards the sky.
Radial Deviation and Ulnar Deviation
- Radial Deviation – Refers to the cocking or hinging of your wrist up towards your radial bone.
- Ulnar Deviation – Refers to the cocking or hinging of your wrist down, towards your ulnar bone.
Pronation and Supination
- Pronation – Refers the lead forearms rolling over toward your target. Your palm will move up, facing the sky.
- Supination – Refers to the forearms rolling under away from your target. Your palm will move down, facing the ground.
Getting the lead wrist in extension or “cupped” gets the face too open. Golfers that get in this wrist position often hinge that lead wrist too much as well or have too much radial deviation.
Having this position as you go back, and especially at the top of the swing will ultimately lead to a steep downswing, out-to-in swing path, and a continued open face at impact. All that together spells SLICE.
Conversely, if a golfer gets their lead wrist too much in flexion, or “bowed” their clubface will be closed.
Having this position excessively as you go back, and especially at the top of the swing will ultimately lead to a downswing that is too laid off, an in-to-out swing path, and a continued closed face at impact. All that together could spell HOOK.
Another issue that can arise from improper use of the lead wrist, as well as with your forearm, is too little or too much rotation.
In the definitions above, you learned that Pronation refers to the lead forearms rolling over toward your target. In this, your palm will move up, facing the sky.
If you Pronate your wrist and forearm too much and or too early on the downswing you will almost certainly hook the ball…and will definitely hook it if the lead wrist is also in extension.
You do indeed want to pronate your wrist and forearm as you move through post impact. The key is a flat lead wrist at impact, with the shaft leaning forward about ten degrees.
Downswing Path
The path of the club on the downswing has a great deal to do with the shot shapes you will produce. According to the “New Ball Flight Laws” as noted previously, your clubface, in relation to your target line + your swing path, in relation to the clubface = Ball Flight.
So, an inside to outside swing path with a clubface square to your target but closed to your path will produce a shot that starts at your target and moves right to left. This is technically referred to as a straight draw but could easily be phrased as a hook.
Additionally, an inside to outside with a clubface closed to the target and your path will produce a pull draw, commonly known as a “Duck Hook” or “Snap Hook.”
On the flip side, an outside to inside swing path with a clubface square to your target but open to your path will produce a shot that starts at your target and moves left to right. This is technically referred to as a straight slice.
Additionally, an outside to inside path with a clubface open to the target and your path will produce a pull slice, sometimes known as a “Banana Ball.”
Impact
This section is simple. You want to come into the ball with a square clubface, a flat lead wrist, and the shaft leaning forward by about ten degrees. The shaft lean is a little less for a driver or a wood of course.
Golfers that come into the ball at impact with an open face will tend to slice or fade the ball.
Golfers that come into the ball at impact with a closed face will tend to hook or draw the ball.
Additionally, to ensure that you can get into a great impact position, you need to understand that the body needs to have rotated enough, or “cleared” by impact to make room for the hands.
Without the hands having room to deliver the club properly into the ball at impact, golfers will get stuck, and not be able to get a clean and crisp strike on the ball.
Release
Everything mentioned to this point happens in sequence.
After impact, comes the release of the club. Because the golf swing happens so very fast from start to finish, about 1.2 seconds on average, we have to always be thinking two steps ahead it seems like.
Luckily, if we can get set up correctly, take the club back well, get to the top correctly, transition down well, and get into a strong impact position, then the release should be a piece of cake! Should be that is…
The one thing that is important to note with the release is you want to have the trail forearm roll over the lead forearm and extend out. Remember that term Pronation? The lead forearms rolling over toward your target and your palm facing up towards the sky.
Golfers that tend to hook the ball pronate too early and/or too much. Golfers that tend to slice the ball do not pronate at all or nearly enough.
6 Drills to Help You Avoid Slices and Hooks
Wanted to start to wrap up this article with a few drills that will help you with slicing or hooking the ball.
Coach Hannah Gregg Golf helps demonstrate a slice drill that will instantly change your path into the golf ball.
Using HackMotion, you can eliminate your slice forever!
It’s all in the biofeedback provided by the HackMotion sensor and app. Here is how…
In the following drill from PGA Golf professional Alex Elliott, he confidently says, “I bet this fixes your slice for good!”
In this video, GOLFTEC’s Director of Teaching Quality, Patrick Nuber, shows you the proper follow through to help you correct your Hook.
Using HackMotion, you can eliminate your hook forever! In this video from PGA coach Rob Cheney, he explains what movements in the wrist are causing your hook shots.
He goes on to show you how to improve your wrist mechanics to eliminate them.
Cameron McCormick and Corey Lundberg from Altus Performance are here to break down how to diagnose swing direction and what you can do to solve your excessive in-to-out path with some simple tools you can find at home.
Summing It All Up
Getting better at any aspect of the game requires a few things.
The first thing is having an understanding of key concepts within the game. From pre-swing fundamentals to in-swing mechanics. Course management to having a strong mental game. There are countless things you should know about to start your journey to improvement.
The second thing is learning about your own unique swing. What are your tendencies? What are your common faults? Once you know the key concepts, and how to execute them, you can then tie those into your faults, so you can begin to fix them.
Having proper coaching and instruction is a way to fast-track that process. Using great technology, such as the HackMotion swing sensor will speed the learning up even more.
Today I looked at the dreaded Slice and Hook. Hopefully, I armed you with some useful knowledge on both. My goal was to give you that key information so you can examine your own swing and make note of your potential flaws.
I wish you well as you work to combat these often-frustrating shots.
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