What Causes a Block in Golf?

A shot that starts right of the target and just keeps sailing in that direction is one of the most powerless and frustrating feelings in golf. That's the block. It’s an easy shot to hit but a hard one to understand. This article will break down exactly what causes a block, from the core swing mechanics to the timing errors that create it, and give you clear, actionable drills to get your ball flying straight again.

What Exactly is a Blocked Golf Shot?

First, let's be clear about what we're talking about. A block, sometimes called a "push," is a shot that starts to the right of your target line and continues flying on that straight-line path (for a right-handed golfer). It's different from a slice, which starts relatively straight (or left) and then curves dramatically to the right.

The block feels weak because at impact, the clubface is essentially "held off" and doesn't rotate properly. The result is often a loss of distance and a shot that ends up far from your intended target. The root cause is a combination of two key factors: your swing path and your clubface angle at the moment of impact. When you understand how these two elements work together, you can begin to correct the problem.

The Core Malfunction: An Inside-Out Path Meets an Open Clubface

Every mishit in golf comes down to physics. A block is the product of a specific geometric equation at impact:

• The Swing Path: This is the direction your club is traveling through the impact zone. To hit a block, your club path is traveling significantly from "in-to-out." In simple terms, your clubhead is moving from inside the target line (closer to you) to outside the target line (further away from you) as it strikes the ball. An in-to-out path is not inherently bad, in fact, it's necessary for hitting a draw. The block happens when this path becomes excessive.
• The Clubface Angle: This is the direction your clubface is pointing when it makes contact with the ball. For a block to happen, your clubface is "open" to your swing path, meaning it's aimed to the right of the direction the club is traveling.

When you combine a swing path heading to the right with a clubface that’s also pointing to the right, the ball has no choice but to start right and stay right. It’s a straight push. Now, let’s look at the swing flaws that create this disastrous combination.

Top 3 Causes of a Block in Golf (And How to Fix Them)

Most players who block the ball don't just have one problem, they have a sequence of errors. Often, the early mistakes in the swing force them into a compensation later on that results in the block. Here are the most common offenders.

1. Your Lower Body Outraces Your Upper Body (You Get "Stuck")

This is the number one cause of the dreaded block. Think of it as a timing and sequencing issue. In an ideal downswing, your hips start the rotation, and your torso, arms, and club follow in a beautifully coordinated sequence. When you block the ball, your hips spin open too fast and too early.

This aggressive lower-body spin leaves your arms and the club trailing far behind you. They get "stuck." With your hips already open wide towards the target but your arms still way behind your body, there is physically no room for the club to swing down in front of your chest on a proper path. The only path available is a massive swing out to the right - a severe in-to-out path. At this point, you're just throwing your hands at the ball to make contact, and it's almost impossible to close the clubface in time.

The Fix: The "Step Through" Drill

This drill is fantastic for re-syncing your body and learning to rotate everything together through the shot. It feels strange at first but quickly teaches the sensation of a correct downswing sequence.

1. Set up to a ball as you normally would.
2. Take a normal backswing.
3. As you start your downswing and swing through impact, allow your back foot (your right foot for a righty) to come off the ground and step forward, walking towards the target.
4. Finish with your back foot past where the ball was, effectively "walking through" the shot.

You cannot get stuck and step through effectively at the same time. This drill forces your chest and arms to keep rotating *with* your hips, creating space for your arms to swing past your body and preventing that trapped feeling.

2. Your Clubface is Wide Open at the Top or in Transition

Even with a perfect swing path, you can still produce a weak block or push if the clubface is open at impact. Very often, this starts at the top of the backswing. A common fault is a "cupped" lead wrist (your left wrist for a righty), where the back of your wrist is bent outward at the top. This position naturally opens the clubface.

When the face is open at the top, you have to make a heroic effort on the way down to square it up. If your timing is even slightly off - which is common when golfers get stuck - the face will arrive at the ball still open, causing a block.

The Fix: The Rehearsal Swing for a "Flatter" Wrist

This is a an awareness drill you can do on the range or even at home without a ball.

1. Take your grip and swing to the top of your backswing.
2. Pause at the top and look at your lead wrist. Is it cupped? Can you see a major crease in the back of your glove?
3. Now, consciously try to make it "flatter." The back of your wrist and forearm should feel like they are forming a straight line. For players with a cupped wrist, this will feel like your wrist is bowed inward.
4. Hold that flatter wrist position and slowly start your downswing sequence. Rehearse the feeling of keeping that clubface square (or even slightly "closed" feeling) as you move down toward the ball. This helps your brain and muscles understand a new, more powerful position.

3. You Have a Weak Grip

Your hands are your only connection to the club, and the way you hold it is the steering wheel for the clubface. A "weak" grip is one where your hands are rotated too far to the left on the handle (for a righty). A good checkpoint for your top hand (left hand) is to see if you can see at least two knuckles when you look down at address. If you see one or none, your grip is likely too weak.

With a weak grip, your hands and wrists naturally want to return to a neutral position through impact, which means they will have a tendency to open the clubface. This makes it incredibly difficult to release the club and get it square on time, particularly if you're also fighting a stuck position.

The Fix: The Grip Check & Strengthen

Reviewing your grip is fundamental to fixing dozens of swing flaws.

1. Ground your club with the face aiming at the target.
2. Place your top hand (left hand) on the grip so you can clearly see the knuckles on your index and middle fingers when you look down. The "V" formed by your thumb and index finger should point toward your back shoulder (right shoulder for righties).
3. Place your bottom hand (right hand) on the club so the "V" aformed by your thumb and index finger aligns with the V on your top hand, also pointing somewhere around your right shoulder. It should feel like your hands are working together as a single unit.
4. Hit small chip and pitch shots with this new, stronger grip to get comfortable with how it influences the clubface. You may even hit some hooks at first as you learn to control a more active clubface. That's a good sign!

Final Thoughts

Fixing a block is primarily about improving your downswing sequence and gaining control of your clubface. You need to stop your hips from outracing your arms, which "traps" the club behind you, and ensure your clubface has a chance to square up by impact. The drills outlined above directly address these core issues, helping you sync up your swing and turn that frustrating right miss into a confident. powerful shot.

Working through these mechanical changes alone on the range can feel isolating, especially when you're not sure if you're doing a drill correctly. That's why we created Caddie AI. Imagine you’re fighting the block and you're unsure if your grip is really the problem - you can ask us for instant clarification on your setup. Or if you're on the course with a sidehill lie that might force you into that "stuck" position, you can snap a photo with your phone and get direct, strategic advice on how to play the shot safely. Our mission is to take the guesswork out of your game and provide you with an expert opinion 24/7, so you can feel more confident over every swing. You can check us out at Caddie AI.