How to Hook and Slice a Golf Ball

Learning to intentionally curve the golf ball from right-to-left or left-to-right is one of the most effective skills you can develop on the course. It allows you to navigate doglegs, attack tough pin positions, and get out of trouble. This guide will walk you through the simple, reliable mechanics for hitting both a controlled hook and a controlled slice, turning frustrating mishits into intentional, strategic shots.

The Simple "Why" Behind Ball Flight

Before we learn how to shape shots, it’s helpful to understand what makes a golf ball curve in the first place. Don't worry, this isn't a complex physics lesson. It boils down to two main things: the swing path and the club face angle at impact.

• Swing Path: This is the direction your club is moving as it strikes the ball. Is it moving from inside the target line to outside (in-to-out), or from outside the target line to inside (out-to-in)?
• Club Face Angle: This is where the face of your club is pointing when it makes contact with the ball. Is it "open" (pointing to the right of your swing path for a righty), "closed" (pointing to the left of your swing path), or "square"?

The relationship between these two factors creates the spin that makes a ball curve. In plain English:

• A SLICE (or fade) happens when your club face is open relative to your swing path. For a right-handed golfer, an out-to-in path with an open face creates that left-to-right curve.
• A HOOK (or draw) happens when your club face is closed relative to your swing path. For a right-handed golfer, an in-to-out path with a closed face creates that right-to-left curve.

Our goal isn't to think about all of this during the swing. Instead, we're going to make simple adjustments in our setup that naturally create the right path and face conditions.

How to Hit a Controlled Slice (Fade)

For many golfers, the slice is their arch-nemesis. But a controlled version of this shot, often called a "fade," is a beautiful and reliable tool used by professionals every weekend. It generally flies higher and lands softer than a hook, making it great for approaching greens. Here’s how to do it.

1. The Setup: Pre-setting the Fade

The magic happens before you even start the swing. By adjusting your setup, you're essentially programming the fade into your shot.

• The Grip: Take your normal grip and then slightly turn your hands to the left (for a right-handed golfer). This is called a "weaker" grip. You should see fewer knuckles as you look down at your left hand, maybe just one. This small change makes it more difficult for the clubface to close through impact, helping it stay slightly open.
• The Stance &, Alignment: This is the biggest adjustment. Set your feet, hips, and shoulders so they are aiming slightly to the left of your final target. For a small fade, aim about 10-15 feet left of the flag. This "open" stance encourages you to swing the club along your body line, creating the out-to-in path that we need.
• Ball Position: Keep the ball in its normal position in your stance for whatever club you’re using. No need to change this. Your open alignment moves the ball slightly forward in relation to your body, which is just fine.

2. The Swing Thought: Commit to Your Alignment

With an open stance, your ball has a new “straight” shot direction way left of where you want the ball to land. The key is to trust it.

Your one and only swing thought should be: “Swing along the line of my feet and shoulders.” Don’t try to steer the ball back to the target. Make a normal, balanced swing that follows the line of your open stance. Because you’ve aimed your body left and your grip is slightly weaker, the club will naturally cut across the ball with a slightly open face. The ball will start left (on your body line) and gently curve back toward the target. It's that simple.

How to Hit a Controlled Hook (Draw)

The hook, when controlled and turned into a "draw," is a powerful shot that often results in more distance because it tends to fly a little lower and roll out more after landing. It’s fantastic for maneuvering around doglegs to the left or fighting a right-to-left crosswind.

1. The Setup: Pre-setting the Draw

Just like the fade, we’re going to get most of the work done at address. The adjustments for a hook are essentially the opposite of those for a slice.

• The Grip: Start with your normal grip and then slightly turn your hands towards the right (for a righty). This creates a "stronger" grip. When you look down at your left hand, you should now easily see two or three knuckles. This change helps the hands naturally release and close the clubface through impact.
• The Stance &, Alignment: Set your feet, hips, and shoulders so they are aiming to the right of your final target. This is a "closed" stance, and it makes it much easier to swing the club from the inside-out. For a gentle draw, aiming to the right edge of the fairway or the right side of the green is a good start.
• Ball Position: Some players find moving the ball back an inch in their stance (closer to the trail foot) helps promote an even stronger in-to-out path. Try it out and see if it feels comfortable for you.

2. The Swing Thought: Swinging “Out” to the Target

Just as with the fade, the thought process for a draw is all about committing to your setup.

Your primary goal is to “Swing the club out towards your target line.” Imagine you're trying to hit the ball straight down the line where your feet are aimed. Resist the urge to pull the club back in towards your body at impact. That in-to-out swing path, combined with the stronger grip promoting clubface rotation, will cause the ball to start out to the right and curve back towards the center.

When and Why to Shape Your Shots

Knowing how to curve the ball is great, but knowing when to use this skill is what leads to lower scores. It turns you from a golfer who just hits the ball into a player who manages their way around the course.

When to Use a Fade/Slice:

• To a Tucked Pin: If the flag is on the right side of the green behind a bunker, aiming at the center of the green and fading the ball in is much safer than firing straight at the pin. The ball will also land more softly.
• For Dogleg Right Holes: You can stand on the left side of the tee box, aim down the left, and swing, letting the ball curve perfectly with the shape of the fairway.
• Against a Right-to-Left Wind: Hitting a gentle fade can help "hold" the ball against a wind that is blowing from the right, preventing it from getting pushed even further off line.

When to Use a Draw/Hook:

• For Added Distance: A draw tends to release and roll more upon landing, making it a great option off the tee when you need a little extra yardage.
• For Dogleg Left Holes: From the right side of the tee box, you can aim up the right side of the fairway and draw the ball around the corner.
• To Stay Under the Wind: Draw shots naturally have a lower, more penetrating flight, which is enormously helpful on windy days to keep the ball from ballooning up into the air.

A Quick Word on Practice

Don't take these new skills straight to the first tee. Head to the driving range and start with small adjustments. Use an alignment stick (or another club on the ground) to help you clearly see your intended alignment versus your target. Hit shots with your 7-iron until you feel comfortable, then try it with a driver and a wedge.

Start by trying to curve the ball just a few yards. Hitting a massive, 30-yard slicing banana ball isn't the goal. We're looking for control. Once you can produce a gentle, predictable 5-10 yard curve, you'll be ready to take it to the course.

Final Thoughts

Learning to shape your shots is a game-changer that opens up a whole new level of strategy and confidence. By making these simple adjustments to your stance and grip before the swing, you take the complexity out of the equation and allow your body to produce the natural curving motion you need.

Of course, while these principles are your foundation for how to hit the shots, knowing exactly when and where to use them on the course brings its own set of challenges. That’s where I can really help. With Caddie AI, you can describe your scenario or even snap a photo of your lie and the hole ahead, and I'll analyze the situation to tell whether a draw or fade is the smart play, what your target should be, and what club to use. I can instantly take the guesswork and doubt out of tough decisions, letting you commit to the shot with total confidence.