JOBODEX

If you are constantly hooking or slicing your shots, you will want to know how to hit a golf ball straight. Clearly, every golfer desires a straight shot because it gives you maximum yardage of the tee. In addition, if you can hit a golf ball straight down the fairway, it makes your approach shot to the green that much easier.

Why is it that many golfers find it difficult to hit a golf ball straight? First it is necessary to comprehend what causes the ball to move from left to right (a slice) or from right to left (a hook). If you know how to fix a slice or hook, you can then practice how to hit a draw or a fade which are useful skills to know so that you can shape your shots around hazards or dog-legs.

The following descriptions and instruction deals with the slice; for the hook everything is generally reversed. A slice is created by a significant tilt of the spin-axis of the golf ball to the right, or a clockwise spin. A slice usually ends up right of the target line, and the term is often used when the curve in the trajectory is extreme and unintentional. The less extreme version of a slice is called a “fade”.

In the basics of the golf swing, if you want to hit the ball squarely and hit a golf ball straight every time, you must return the club head to the original spot at the impact position. The slice is caused when you leave the club face open when striking the ball, which makes the ball spin in a clockwise movement. The swing path is normally correct but the ball is not struck squarely at impact, mostly because of a “weak grip.”

If you can not hit a golf ball straight, then the first thing to look at is your grip. It doesn’t matter what type of grip you prefer (an interlocking grip, an overlapping grip, or a ten finger grip) the factor that can affect the balls flight path is the strength of the grip. If you want to fix a slice, try moving your hands around to the right into a stronger grip position.

There are several other factors you can try to cure a slice. The first is not to grip the club so tightly that you tense up the muscles of the wrist and forearms. Also, work on increasing the speed of your golf swing as a faster swing speed will give you more distance and, most importantly, it will reduce the amount of slice that you pass on to the golf ball. You may be using the wrong flex of shaft which can affect your shots; if you hit over 250 yards then use a stiff or extra stiff flex, from 200 to 250 yards use a firm or regular flex, and under 200 yards use a ladies or senior flex.

The setup position is also important if you want to hit a golf ball straight. Keep everything square and parallel to the target. Your feet, hips, and shoulders should all be parallel to the target line. With a driver, place the ball opposite the instep of the left foot and don’t stand too close or too far away from the ball - the sole of the club should be grounded and not tilting forwards or backwards.

Remember all the swing basics that you were taught; feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly flexed, spine straight and chin up, and keep your eyes on the ball. There is no time for detailed golf swing instruction here but just try to keep your club on the same plane from your back swing to your downswing. Whatever you do, don’t try to over hit the golf ball - maintain the same swing speed during your complete golf swing.

Lastly, there are an other two types of swing faults that will prevent you to hit a golf ball straight - the push and the pull. As opposed the slice, the push shot happens when the ball shoots straight off to the right, and the pull is when the ball goes straight off to the left. The push is a result of an incorrect golf swing when the club goes through an in-to-out plane, and the pull is an out-to-in swing plane. The push or pull shot comes about due to an improper golf swing action and forgetting the basics of the golf swing.