That violent, low, left-turning shot that rockets off the clubface is one of the most destructive misses in golf. The snap hook doesn't just miss the fairway, it crashes out of play, turns routine pars into nightmare double bogeys, and can shatter a golfer's confidence. This guide will walk you through exactly why the snap hook happens and provide a systematic approach with clear checkpoints and practical drills to straighten out your ball flight for good.
First, let's get on the same page about the shot we're trying to fix. A snap hook is a ball that, for a right-handed golfer, starts relatively straight or even slightly to the right of the target line before making an aggressive, uncontrollable curve to the left. It usually flies lower than a typical shot an_s often feels "hot" off the face.
So, what's causing this nightmare? It's a combination of two things happening at impact:
Imagine your clubhead moving towards the ball from an angle inside the target line and continuing outward past the ball. As this is happening, the clubface is pointing sharply to the left of where the club itself is traveling. This combination imparts a massive amount of side spin, causing the ball to dive hard to the left.
Before we even start looking at major swing changes, we have to audit the two most common culprits, both of which happen before you even start your backswing: your grip and your alignment.
Your hands are your only connection to the golf club, and because of this, they're the steering wheel for the clubface. A lot of the time, the snap hook is caused by a grip that's simply too "strong." This doesn't mean you're squeezing too hard, in golf terms, "strong" refers to how your hands are rotated on the club.
A strong grip means your top hand (left hand for righties) is rolled too far to the right, on top of the grip, and your bottom hand (right hand) is tucked too far underneath. This position naturally encourages your wrists to roll over through impact, snapping the clubface shut.
This new, more neutral grip will feel bizarre at first. It will likely feel "weak" and like you might slice the ball. That's a good sign! You must trust the new position and give it time. Changing your grip is one of the hardest but most rewarding changes you can make.
This might sound counterintuitive, but many golfers who hit a hard hook are actually aimed too far to the right of their target line. This often happens subconsciously as a way to "make room" for the hook, hoping to start it right and let it curve back.
The problem is, when you're aimed right, your brain knows your real target is to the left. To get the ball there, you're forced to make a very compensation-heavy swing, often involving an aggressive roll of the hands to shut the face and make the ball curve back. When you overdo this compensation - BAM, snap hook.
Get a couple of aent rods or even other golf clubs. Lay one down pointing directly at your target, and place the other one parallel to it just outsider ball to represent the line of your feet. Strive to get your feethips, and shoulders all set square andall ael to your target line. You'll probably feel likeou youre aimed way too far to the,left, but trust the sticks. This gives your swing a clean slate and removes the need for big, in-swing corrections.
"Being "stuck" rom inside is a classic cause of the shoksok. It means your rms get trapped behind your body on townswgswing, forcing your hands to make a flipal to save the shot.
For many club golfers, the primary cause of gettg stucomes from an improper sequencesc start of the downswing. From the's 'sbackswing, thevery st move ends up ng an aggressive, spinning motion of thelowr body, specifically the hips.
This dis d is antastc for resncinng the ower dy an gfor"our s to wror gether.>t Wto Fo:
Set up wih your et touchig, maybe jus an ich apa an w n. F
w do t: rong>/s>Make ha or thre-quate swin focusinn bance d smooh otion.'re notryo go at ti 10%.r hg t e feing r tnsng you dyour rms t geher. l>>> Stnde tger, youmply n'generate po ro an agresip p. tt uetsour wer nd s 't rms o ca on 'g ng a te swi an or c 'ur 'm ndsbo t or t er as it.pnhdrDr #2" The'old Lag 'glh>pWto:g k slowoin wcsis e op y 'r kng,'el k u ar n lln bu-eth lu e as eb l y're nlyg ul le. el 'rd 'r e n ahe t d t.>/p<>hyorksstr> aneatlng,t li glh l you do l.e gof t snn psh ti urpo e s ra 'ud-dy 'l ke eeingg.a 'n 'gnn te ds tto ro'p en s " p e o g.sh pgtgt a g y v s p>>n Cgt g ce n tp ok
p< el otRa:W rH s Do >/ h/t Fg. s t,o pr ra>t e yk a p s f ase d s ot h -o tp t ex nv nz t, q ng ndu g,i gn gs . e m c t, g l 'h k q c s ot ul ge kd ct kh.>/p>< o ig f ke m adb c a m fs hv w l heh es e e h ' es t stn eto uwh eu i u no e u a p r, u n krq g ht r t yu cn tk r eh.>/p>
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
