Help With Hook / Dead Block

[ALapierre]

HELP ME!!!

Here is my dilemma..............I have not hit a driver on the course in over two years........

I used to play at a 3 handicap. Something happened to me and I now shoot low-mid 80's. I used to be able to shape shots left to right without even thinking. Now when I think about going left to right I still hit it right to left.

I know I have a strong left hand - I always have. I may have gotten stronger and that could be a problem. Sometimes I tell myself to weaken my left hand. When I do that - I feel so uncomfortable in the backswing that I can feel my left wrist laying off. I know I am messed up when I get to the top of my backswing and my clubface is pointing straight up.

Therefore, on the downswing I have to manipulate my hands which results in drastic inconsistencies. It's like I take the club back and try and slice it to hit it straight. The other major change is my ball flight. I used to hit a "normal" trajectory and now everything I hit is low and penetrating. I actually like it at times but my 3-wood can look like a 6 degree driver at times.

I hit MANY very good, long shots (especially with the three wood). However - I notice the long irons are a mess. I feel so uncomfortable with a 3-5 iron or driver.

Back in the day I hit the ball straight as an arrow. I could then move it either way with ease. Now the ball (especially with long clubs) is more like a pull hook that only gets 20 feet off the ground. Or it is a DEAD BLOCK to the right. When I say right - I mean right (sometimes 50-70 yards).

My wrists actually hurt after shots at times...........I don't understand where I went so awry.

HELP ME HIT MY DRIVER AND LONG IRONS WITH CONFIDENCE AGAIN!!!

I even miss chips, wedge shots to the left at times.

[greghutton]

Hooking due to strong grip

Hi ALapierre,

Let's see if we can get you back on the straight and narrow again.

It sounds very much to me like someones grip is causing the main problem. A strong grip is a hard fault to get out of and takes discipline. It will not be easy to weaken that left hand, but that is the first obstacle that you have to overcome before you can improve. As you said your backswing has been suffering and this is all due to the fact the hands are in the wrong position on the club - thus your forearms are not able to rotate correctly on the backswing thus hindering your shoulder turn and so on.

First go through the grip lesson here. Pay close attention to every detail no matter how insignificant you may think it. Remember the only contact that you have with the club is through your hands - so it is imperitive that they are positioned correctly in order to give you the opportunity to make a good swing.

This wont be easy, and will take a couple of weeks of practice to get right and for it to start to feel comfortable. STICK WITH IT, don't let it beat you!

Try not to worry too much about the takeaway/backswing whilst you are re-learning the grip that you once had. I have a feeling once you start getting used to the correct grip the backswing will slot more into place. But first things first, get the grip right.

Let me know after a couple of weeks of practice how you get on.

Good Luck

Greg Hutton
Head P.G.A. Professional
golftuitiononline.com