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