duck hook, hook, hook, HELP

[Mizunoman]

Re: duck hook, hook, hook, HELP

Ok Ricky, one question.


Why do you want to fade the ball? If the draw is natural you will waste a lot of quality golfing time trying to rid yourself of it (unless you are a pro and can afford to spend 4 hours a day on the range).

Drawing/Hooking all comes from the same source, attacking the ball from the inside, its a good thing by the way. the problems start when you come too much from the outside on the way down and the club arrives at the ball well closed and heading left. Imagine the ball as a cube. Get the feeling of hitting the inside corner of the cube (the one nearest your right foot) and throwing the club out to two o'clock. Keep your width throughout the swing and you should settle to a nice repeatable draw.

A lot of **** is spoken about the draw how it isnt the ideal shot. Well it was good enough for Hogan, Palmer, Player and Trevino and I make their total in Major victories 31 between them.

It is just as easy to stop a drwn ball as it is a faded ball as long as you get enough height on it. The advantage is a drawn drive runs further and adds distance.

As far as your hips go try this drill, hit 100 balls with a friend kneeling behind you holding onto your trousers buy grabbing the right hand pocket. This will minimize any lateral sway and help you groove a more stable base.

D.

[ph_kingston]

Re: duck hook, hook, hook, HELP

I usually hit a draw with my drives, as long as it's controlled it adds useful distance. I hit the ball quite high with my irons so I don't have any trouble stopping a draw on the greens. Of course with the extra distance I get on my drive I'm hitting a more lofted club anyway. I'm with Mizunoman on this one - don't fight the draw, use it!

Mizunoman's advice on the swing plane is fantastic. The other thought I had to to make sure your right hand is not overpowering your left causing the clubhead to rotate and close too early. Occassionally I try to overhit a drive resulting in a low hook as I've lost control with my hands.

[donaau]

Re: duck hook, hook, hook, HELP

Trevino hitting a draw Minuzoman I wonder when that was.

[Mizunoman]

Re: duck hook, hook, hook, HELP

ok ok, In his wild and impetuous youth Trevino struggled with a hook. 3 out of 4 isnt bad, you get the idea. If we are going to be pedantic about it switch his name for Watson or Nelson or any number of multiple Major winners. I will bet you five bucks that for every guy out there that has won more than one major using a fade all his life there will be at least 2 with the draw probably 3.

Until the days of stupid headed drivers and computeried golf balls most of the top guys played with a draw. Look at the facts at club player level as well. I play in a group of Category One players every weekend. There's about 15-20 guys playing all of us handicap 5 or better and of them only 3 I can think of play the fade regularly as their stock shot.

The attractiveness of the draw as a shape is probably best indicated by why most drivers if they come with a bias at all built in its usually a bias for a draw.

D.

[donaau]

Re: duck hook, hook, hook, HELP

Minuzoman,I have read your posts on a variety of subjects for some months now and find you are consistently helpful and sound. I agree totally with the advice you gave the guy who started this thread. However, I am not being a smart arse or pedantic when I say that the winners of majors, particularly the ones you cited, hit a fade as their stock shot. I totally agree that a draw is indicative of a sound inside out golf swing and is the shot of choice for the majority of top class amateurs.
Lee Trevino was self taught had a wide open stance and hit a huge banana ball. In 2002 he said he did not like playing Augusta because he refused to learn to hit a "high right to left." One of his most famous quotes was "You can talk to a fade but a hook just won't listen". In the late 60's early 70's when I followed him I'm sure he could hit a draw but I never saw one.
Nicklaus writes that he hates talking about distance off the tee - select your target and hit to it. His shot of preference was a fade because it will hold up reliably on the target. I could go on but that's enough. I really wish you well. D

[LowPost42]

Re: duck hook, hook, hook, HELP

Have you tried weaking your grip? (Rotate hands towards target). I fought a slice, (and still do, occasionally, when I'm trying to kill the ball), and had strengthened my grip to the point where I had a 5 knuckle left hand, and a slight draw.

So maybe if you weaken your grip, you'll stop the hook.

[Mizunoman]

Re: duck hook, hook, hook, HELP

I didnt mean it to sound as though I was annoyed at your quite valid correction, Donnau, I'm perfectly aware of my sieve like memory . My comments were meant light heartedly, please accept my apologies if you were offended, unfortunately one's tone doesnt always come across adequately in writing in forums, its a problem I have suffered before,


Best Regards,

Darryl.

[Mizunoman]

Re: duck hook, hook, hook, HELP

Pretty much Ricky you have to realise that the hook is an unwanted evolution of the natural swing plane that produces a draw. My tips were designed to try and help you avoid falling into the trap of casting from the outside which turns a draw into a hook. As long as you attack the ball from inside you cant pull hook the ball. Swinging the club to 2 o clock promotes this angle of attack as it influences the downswing.


Always aim right of target if you draw/Hook the ball but be careful to make sure that you aim both club and feet at the target. If you just aim your feet right you will draw the ball even more. If you aim just the club right you will cut the ball (maybe what you are after, I dunno, but if its not natural it cant be relied upon).

Good Luck

D