Lesson Notes: Correcting a Hook with the Trail Hand Check
The Goal: To eliminate a frustrating hook by adjusting a strong trail hand grip position and verifying proper placement before initiating the swing.
The Common Problem:
- Golfers who consistently hook the ball very frequently have a flaw hidden in their grip.
- The trail hand often slips too far underneath the handle of the club at setup.
- In this poor position, the trail thumb rests way on the backside of the grip and a high amount of the fingernails are visible to the golfer.
- Note: If you struggle with a slice rather than a hook, this particular adjustment does not apply to your swing.
The Pre-Swing Solution: The Index Finger Check
- Center the Thumb: Place your trail hand on the club so that your thumb is centered on the grip or turned just slightly toward the target side of center.
- The Finger Extension Test: To verify the placement right before you hit, take your trail index finger completely off the handle and extend it straight down.
- Evaluate the Line: If your hand position is correct, the extended index finger will sit clearly on the side of the club grip. If your hand has crept too far under (causing the hook), the finger will point directly underneath the bottom of the grip.
- Reset and Swing: Once verified on the side, close your index finger back around the handle and proceed with your normal, natural golf swing to see a straighter ball flight.
FAQ
Q: Why does having the trail hand too far underneath the grip cause the ball to hook?
A: When your back hand sits too far under the club at address, it places the arm and wrist in a highly active position. As you return to impact, that hand naturally wants to rotate back to a neutral state, which rapidly snaps the clubface closed relative to your swing path, creating the heavy right-to-left spin of a hook.
Q: Can I perform this index finger check for every club in my bag?
A: Yes. Since a flawed trail hand grip affects clubface rotation across all full swings, you can use this quick indicator as a standard pre-shot checkpoint on the tee box or the fairway whenever you feel your alignment slipping.
