| Analysis
It is sometimes useful to be able to hook the ball as a dramatic
and early leftwards curve of the ball's flight is advantageous
under certain (troubled) conditions
- to play around (nearby) trees or other obstacles
- to follow right to left (dog-leg) bends in fairways
- to keep a (3-wood) shot under the wind
Heavy anti-clockwise side spin is required to move the ball
dramatically from right to left so this is the objective of
the swing in hooking
- this is achieved by significantly changing the relationship
between the line of the swing (swing target line) and the
aim-line of the clubface - which has the effect of closing
the face considerably to the swing line
Strategic adjustments
setup
- align the clubface to aim to the left of the target
- take the usual grip
- align the feet, knees, hips and especially shoulders well
to the right of the intended target line (closed stance)
(see illustration below)
- this position may feel cramped and twisted
- simply make a normal swing - in tune with the body (shoulders)
line as usual
- the ball will set off on the right-of-target body-line
and quickly curve back left keeping low

Pro’s Tip
The hook is a dramatic shot which is difficult to control and
should only be played in desperate situations
- the hook sets off right but rapidly curves left and keeps
low - the effect is greater, the straighter the clubface as
more spin is put on the ball - so select the club and the
alignment adjustments carefully
- practise and experiment with this shot
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