Severe Hook, No Tee shots

[jambalaya]

I have been suffering from a severe hook or more like a "topping the ball to the left problem" for years. This especially effects my drive. Can't remember the last time I got a clean hit off the tee. Mostly I top the ball and/or pull it to the left. I think that I have discovered that my shoulder turn is a big problem. Recently when I went to the driving range and tried to force my shoulder to "stay back" I hit some balls square for the first time in a long while. I would say there is no doubt that when my club head usually meets the ball it is turned facing to the left causing me to top the ball and pull left. This problem does not seem to effect the iron shots as much but I do hook the ball a lot or just shank. I read one tip about the shoulder turn that said "The left shoulder sets up the backswing by rotating down and under the chin". The "rotating down" part kind of confuses me. Can you give me a different way of thinking of this. I know dipping my left shoulder has been a problem in the past so the initial set up is important for me I think. Any other suggestions you may have will be appreciated.

[jscerbo]

Dear Jamablaya,

First off to clear up the confusion about left arm sets the backswing and rotates under your chin. What they mean by this is that when the downswing is started both of your arms swing under not around. Both the left and right arm drop and proceed to swing under your chin. Do this for me address a mirror standing sideways as if your going to look at your backswing from behind. Take it to the top of your backswing and let your arms drop. Notice they don't swing around, they swing under.

Second curing the hook, and the shanks. The reason for this is an over the top move. When you take the club to the outside you re ligning up the hosel to meet he ball instead of the clubhead. There is also a balance problem here, the fundamental reason for the shanks is your wieght is falling towards your toes causing you to throw the club outside the target and make contact with the hosel of the club.

Third curing the hook, you have an overly dominant right hand.

Here is drill for the hooks. take a wedge or 7 iron and tee the ball up, go to the top of your swing and come down to impact when you arrive at impact take your right hand off of the club. This will stop the right hand from closing the clubface on you.

Try it out and let me know how it works

Jordan Scerbo
Teaching Professional