why am i hitting it right?

Question
QUESTION: HI the problem with me is that I am always hitting the golf ball right! IT hardly ever goes straight! SO what am I doing wrong?

ANSWER: Jordan,

I will assume that the ball curves to the right. Your not alone. 85 of all right handed golfers hit the ball to the right. I could go into a myriad of reasons but let's focus on only one. Your grip.

The sole purpose of your hands is to return the club to a square face angle at impact. Simple enough. Unfortunately it is rare to see a good golf grip. Without a good golf grip you have little chance in this game to succeed.

Two suggestions. First go to your local book store and pick up the book, "Five Lessons" by Ben Hogan. Read only the first chapter three times and practice this grip for thirty minutes a day for thirty days. The improvement will be dramatic.

The second suggestion is to go to your local PGA pro and ask for a grip lesson. It'll be well worth the money. If you live in the Houston, TX area contact me and I'll get you corrected.

When I have a new student I spend 1 hour with the student and not on the driving range. I spend the hour teaching the grip and set up. It's tedious, but very effective. My students advance rapidly with this technique.

If you take one of the above suggestions, send me a follow up and let me know how you're doing. If you're still hitting it right, we'll address it at that time.

Thanks for the question.

Michael Hoffman
PGA Professional
[email protected]

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

QUESTION: HI michael I just played 18 and MY ball still went right! Like all my distance went to the right if I would hit it straight it would go real far! What im I doing?

Answer
Jordan,

Explain what steps you took to improve your grip. Lesson, Hogan's book. It takes time to change to something different. Be sure you're practicing the things that are correct.

Let me know.

Don't get frustrated. If you're hitting the ball solidly that's a great first step.

Michael