Hook
A hook is a shot that curves sharply toward and past the target line — to the left for a right-handed golfer. It happens when the clubface is closed relative to the swing path at impact.
A hook is the mirror image of a slice: the face is closed to the path through impact, imparting right-to-left sidespin for a right-hander. Common causes are a strong grip, an excessively in-to-out path, or overly active hands releasing the face early. A small amount of right-to-left shape is a draw (often desirable); a hook is the same shape gone too far, hard to control and prone to running through fairways and greens.
Example
A shot that starts right of target and dives hard left, running off the back of the green, is a hook.
Related terms
- DrawA draw is a controlled shot that curves gently from right to left for a right-handed golfer (the opposite for a lefty). It is produced by a clubface slightly closed to the swing path but still open to the target line.
- Face-to-PathFace-to-path is the difference between face angle and club path at impact. It is the single number that determines how much, and which way, the ball curves.
- Club PathClub path is the horizontal direction the clubhead is moving through impact, relative to the target line, in degrees. Positive is in-to-out (a draw bias); negative is out-to-in (a fade or slice bias).
- GripThe grip is how your hands hold the club. It is the only contact you have with the club, so it controls the clubface more than any other fundamental.
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into your swing
SwingVantage can spot this in your own swing — free to start.