Pull Hooks

Question
QUESTION: I have been struggling with pull hooks for a number of years. When examining my divots, it is clear my swing path is severe inside to out, and my divots are often shallow, non existent or behind the ball. I may even shank one or two balls a round. I also believe my lower body lunges forward rather than turning like the pros do.  I have taken private lessons from many pros, and no one has been able to help me yet.  Perhaps I am not a good student....  At one time in my life I was a pretty good golfer with handicap ranging from 7-11.  Now I am just happy when the round is over ..... Help.

ANSWER: Tom:

Sorry to hear of your troubles, that sucks.  Let's look at this logically Tom.  If your divots (when you take them) are in to out, shallow, non existent or behind the ball, you just gave me all the info I need to fix you.  I would take you and do the exact opposite.  Think about this.  Here is the first drill I would do with you.  I would draw out a straight line right between your feet.  I use baby powder at the golf course to draw my line.  That white line signifies the middle of your feet.  Once your setup, take a backswing and stop when your left arm is parallel to the ground.  Your left arm should be over your toe line (picture a line across your toes).  Make sure the club is cocked at a 90 degree angle to the left arm. I would want you to take a divot opposite your left toe.  So from the left arm above the toe line position, I would ask you to swing the club down to the ground and make sure you take a divot out where your left toe would be.  You would feel as though you are swinging to the left.  Do this until you can take a divot out in front of that line.  The divots should be pointing to the left of target if done correctly.  This is how you go about changing what you do.  So, next, I would place a ball on a tee about 3 inches in front of the white line.  Set up with the clubhead on the white line and take a swing.  In order to get up to that ball, you'll need to swing the golf club more forward towards the target.  You'll actually feel as though you are swinging the club to the left of target.  Then, once it becomes more comfortable, gradually start to move the ball back towards  the center of your feet. From the top of your backswing, you should be trying to swing the club back towards 10 o'clock.  If you are too much in to out, (let's picture the clock again), that means you are swinging from 7 o'clock to 1 or 2 o'clock.  Let's change that path completely.  I would start with the ball on a tee and hitting a 7 or 8 iron.  Allow your body to open with you to the left as you swing the club to the left.  You'll actually swing it down the line, it will just feel as though you are swinging to the left.  Do this drill until you can take a divot out by your left toe, aiming to the left.  This will give you a more upright motion, a better angle of attack, a straighter divot and a shot that is struck solidly.  Good luck in your drill, let me know when you've hit about 500 balls.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your prompt response. One last question before I go to the
range to work on this. Do I need to think about swing path past the
point you described above. Or asked another way. How do I know
my club is in the correct position at the top of the swing?  Thanks
again for your help.

Answer
Tom:

Remember this is a drill.  At the top of the swing, your left arm will be directly over your toe line and the shaft will be at a 90 degree angle to your arm.  That is only a half to three quarter swing at most.  I want you to feel what it's like to swing from there.  Do not make a big swing.  If your target (flag) is 12 o'clock, swing towards 10 o'clock.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member