Duck hook: causes and cures

1

A duck hook or smother can be caused by the toe of the clubface ‘flipping’ into an extreme closed position at impact. Often this is due to a lack of extension and release of the arms but it can also be connected to a slowing of your body rotation through the ball.

Check both to gain more control of your clubface.

You must keep rotating through impact and extending and releasing your forearms down the line (below) to help keep the clubface square.

2A closed stance (left-hand yellow stick) with the clubface closed to the target line (right-hand yellow stick) is another common cause. The swing path back into the ball will be too much from the inside (red stick), and this, in combination with a clubface closed to the target line, can result in that quick hook. Spend time with alignment sticks making sure your feet are pointing parallel to your target, so you can get the club on plane more easily as you take it away. 3

Check your grip. A strong grip – in which the upper hand sits on top too much and the lower hand too much underneath (below right) – can lead to duck hooks. Your hands should be placed on the club as they hang from your shoulders naturally, with both hands mirroring each other. Everyone’s hands are different sizes and shapes and the golf grip is a detailed subject and personal to you. If you’re unsure, get some help on this from your PGA pro.