Have you ever considered that a sliced golf shot could get you out of trouble? Would you consider hitting a hook to recover from a bad position? Ben Hogan once said that you only hit straight golf shots by accident and that most professional golfers intentionally curve the ball. We are going to look at why we curve a golf ball and the problems and solutions that can be obtained from hitting shots that curve. We will also determine how to hit a hook and a slice intentionally to recover from a shot that we may have curved accidentally into trouble.
First, let us look at what causes a golf ball to spin and how our golf swing shapes the flight of the ball. The most common spin that golfers place on a golf ball is a slice spin. This ball spins from the inside out of the golfer's target line and spins away from him, to the right for a right handed golfer (left for left handers). There are two reasons that a slice occurs. First, a club face that contacts the golf ball with an open face will spin in clockwise direction, imparting a curve to the right. The second cause for a sliced golf ball is a swing that follows an outside to in swing path. This swing cuts across the ball also putting a clockwise spin on the ball. If the two of these symptoms are combined, the resulting shot is usually hit high and loses distance as it often has backspin that causes the ball to travel higher and roll less than a straight shot.
A hooked ball, though not as common with the average golfer, can be just as daunting to the player. A closed club face puts a counterclockwise spin on the ball, causing it to curve to the left for a right handed golfer. A swing that travels from the inside to out of the target line is also a cause for this left-curving shot. The shot often has some over spin on it so it flies lower and rolls more than a straight shot. It travels farther than a slice, but often that means it travels farther into the woods or out of play.
There are advantages to each of the two shots when played under control. If there is trouble on the left side of the fairway, a slice will carry the ball away from that trouble. A green with the pin behind a bunker on the right side can present a difficult shot. If you can control a fade or slice into the green, you can start the ball left of the hazard and have it curve in behind the trap and land softly. A hole set up with a dog-leg to the right allows a faded ball to follow the dog-leg and stay in the fairway. Holes with the opposite set up from those above become opportunities for a drawn or hooked golf ball. A golfer occasionally has a shot in which the target line is obstructed by a tree or other object. An intentionally curved ball may allow the golfer to reach a green otherwise unobtainable. We all have at one point in our golf careers hit shots that curve left or right, but those have been by accident. How do we plan for a curve and play it to our advantage?
Since a slice is a shot that many are familiar with and can understand why they hit them, we will talk about them first. In order to intentionally hit a slice, we need to swing from the outside in or open the club face. In order to simplify the procedure, we will not change your swing, only your grip on the club. If you are hindered by a tree and have some room to curve the ball to the right to get around it, we will hit a fade. Set up your stance so that you are aimed in the direction you want the ball to begin its flight, to the left of the tree. Next open your club face so that it points to where you want the ball to end up, somewhere behind the tree.
Swing the club normally along your stance and allow the open face of the club to curve the ball to the right around the object blocking your path to the green or target. Be sure to hit a little extra club since a fade will fly higher and will not roll as far as your normal shot. Do not try to finessed the ball; hit through the ball with an aggressive stroke so you do not top it. Shots into a bunkered green or a dog-leg right do not require as much curve so the degree you open the face of your club will not be as much as for the trouble shot described. Many golfers will be able to hit this shot since they are accustomed to hitting shots left to right.
A shot drawn around the right side of a tree is not as familiar but playable to most golfers. Again line up aiming right of the tree where you want the ball to start its flight. Close or hood the club to aim it where you want the ball to end up on the other side of the tree. Swing aggressively along your stance line, allowing the club to curve the ball to the left around the tree. This shot will be lower and run more so a little less club may be in order than for a straight shot the same distance. In order to keep from swinging from the outside in on this shot, concentrate on hitting a little left of center (inside) of the ball. Shots into a bunkered green or on a dog-leg will not need as much hook so do not close your club face as much as for the shot around the tree.
One final thought for those of you that normally hit a fade or slice. On a tee shot that you want to curve left, line your golf ball name brand up along the target line, square up your club face and hit inside your ball's name brand, at about 7:00. This will prevent you from hitting from the outside in on the swing and should cause you to hit a draw on your drive. You will find that you cannot cut across the ball from the outside and hit the inside of the ball.
Intentionally playing a curve can help your golf game tremendously, but be sure to take these shots to the driving range first to be sure you are comfortable hitting each of the shots mentioned. The golf course is not the place to experiment with your game. If you are not comfortable with one of these shots, take your medicine and play it safe. A bogey is not too bad for your score card, but a double or triple bogey can destroy your mental outlook and your score. Play smart.
Dennis Krall is an avid golfer that is willing to share tips and experiences with others that share his passion. You can find more tips and information at http://hittingthegolfball.com/ and http://lefthandedgolf.us/.
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