Hooking Made Easy (or How To Never Again Slice A Golf Ball)

What's better than a beautiful day playing golf? I know personally, however, that many of my golf outings were hampered by my inability to keep up with and play as well as my friends and colleagues. For years, I was always the worst player out of my group of friends, largely because of a terrible slice.

Try for a moment to forget every golf book you've ever read, every piece of advice from every well-meaning friend, and even every lesson you've taken. You won't believe me at first, but fixing your slice is all in your head and simply requires a bit of practice after getting your head around one simple concept.

Let's be 100% clear. A slice IS when your ball curves to the rightwhile in the air. If your ball simply goes right at impact, then you have a different problem (although still a problem). If you smack the ball to the right often, then you actually need to worry more about timing than about the issue I'm going to teach you. On the other hand, if your ball starts out straight, only to take a tragic turn to the right, the listen up! The one and only solution: the follow-through! We could all benefit by repeating that just one more time. A proper follow-through will solve your slicing nightmares.

Once you're done with a golfswing, where are your hands? Because of the twist, your upper body is essentially facing your target (the green, the fairway, etc.). Now look at your hands. Are they to the left of your target or to the right? You probably answered "left" but the correct answer should be "right".

So what should you actually be doing?: finish with your hands to the right of your intended target. The position in which your swing is finished is of utmost importance with respect to whether or not you'll slice the ball.

I urge you to practice this next time you're at the range. With each swing, try to get your hands further and further to the right of your intended target at the end of your golfswing. You'll see noticeable and quick improvements, and you'll also hear a lot more compliments the next time you're out playing with your friends.