Trevor Ng
Pull shots in golf occur when the ball starts to the left of the target and continues in a straight line, missing the target. This is caused by an outside-in swing, where the clubhead is brought outside of the target line, and can be fixed by adjusting your takeaway and downswing. Drills can help correct this error, with a focus on the clubface angle and club path. Additionally, modifying grip strength and incorporating the lower body can also help to correct a pull shot.
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What You'll Learn
Focus on the downswing
To correct an outside-in swing, you need to focus on the downswing. Here are some tips to help you do that:
Firstly, you need to avoid "coming over the top". This swing error involves bringing the clubhead outside of the target line, resulting in an outside-in club path. Instead of pushing the club outside of the target line at the beginning of the downswing, bring the club down from inside the target line, rotating it around your body. This will help you avoid the "over the top" swing error and improve your club path.
Another important aspect of the downswing is wrist position. Flexing (bowing) the lead wrist too much or pronating the forearm early can cause the clubface to shut down, leading to pulled shots. To correct this, focus on maintaining a flat or slightly flexed wrist at the top of the swing and matching that position through the transition and into impact. This will help you sequence the downswing correctly and keep the clubface square.
Additionally, you can try the HackMotion Casting Drill to improve your wrist action during the downswing. This drill helps eliminate the early "throw" from the top, a common mistake made by amateurs. It trains your trail wrist to stay extended longer, keeping the club on plane and behind you. By generating power with your core and lower body, you can improve the sequencing of your downswing and reduce pulled shots.
Finally, the downswing is not just a pulling action. While the initial pull is important, you also need to focus on squaring the clubface for impact. This coordination of the pull with the squaring of the clubface will help you achieve more accurate shots.
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Modify grip strength
The way you position your fingers on the grip of the club has a significant effect on the path the club will take as it passes your body. This path dictates the flight and direction of the golf ball.
A neutral grip sees both hands around the centre of the grip, not leaning towards any side but rather being located on the top of the grip. If you've done it correctly, the V formed by your thumbs and index fingers should be pointing slightly to the right of your nose. A neutral grip doesn't favour one side or the other but rather a straight ball flight.
If you were used to seeing three knuckles on your left hand – in a strong grip – then try a few shots with a grip where you only see two. And if you were already seeing only two knuckles – in a neutral grip – then try weakening it further and rotating your hands until you only see one knuckle for a weak grip.
A weak grip is one where both hands are positioned to the left of the centre of the grip, when looking down. Or at least left of the centre of what would be a normal, neutral grip. All other things being equal, a weak grip promotes a lazy release of the hands at impact, meaning that hands are restricted from fully rolling into impact. This difficulty in releasing favours a clubface that is more open than otherwise.
A strong grip will see both of your hands leaning to the right of your grip (when looking down). This is in contrast to being more or less in the middle of the shaft. First grip the club with your left hand, making sure that when you do and when the clubface is square to the target you can see exactly three knuckles. With your left hand firmly in place, place your right hand below it and in such a way that it is opposite your left hand. For all grip strengths, you’ll want both palms of your hands to be effectively facing each other on opposite sides of the grip. If you’ve done it correctly, the V formed by your thumbs and index fingers should be pointing slightly to the right of your nose.
A strong grip promotes an active release of the hands at impact, meaning that hands are encouraged to fully roll into impact. This natural ease in releasing favours a clubface that is more closed than otherwise. And ultimately, a closed clubface at impact will transfer right to left sidespin into the ball, resulting in a ball that will draw or hook.
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Improve clubface control
Pull shots in golf occur when the ball starts to the left of the target and continues in that direction without any lateral spin. This is caused by an outside-in swing, where the clubhead is brought outside of the target line and only crosses it when it makes an impact with the ball.
To fix this, you need to work on your golf swing and the club path it produces. Here are some tips to improve clubface control and correct an outside-in swing:
Takeaway and Backswing
The takeaway refers to the first move away from the golf ball. Many golfers make the mistake of taking the club back and turning almost immediately, which leads to an open or closed clubface. Instead, focus on taking the club back square. Drills can help you get the right feel for a square takeaway. Additionally, avoid twisting your hands and wrists during the backswing, as this can result in an open clubface and cause slices or weak shots.
Downswing
During the downswing, ensure that you bring the club down from inside the target line, rotating it around your body. Avoid pushing the club outside of the target line, as this will lead to an outside-in swing. Also, be careful not to come over the top, which refers to positioning the club outside of the target line during the downswing.
Grip
While some players excel with strong or weak grips, beginners should aim for a neutral grip. Hold the club with both hands, ensuring the Vs formed by your thumbs and index fingers point towards your right shoulder (for right-handed players). If you usually have a strong grip, try a neutral grip by showing only two knuckles on your left hand. If you already have a neutral grip, weaken it further to show only one knuckle.
Hip and Body Rotation
Mastering hip and body rotation is crucial for achieving a square clubface. Clearing your hips gives you more space to deliver a square clubface with minimal wrist movement. Additionally, focus on rotating your forearms correctly to square the clubface, especially if you have a faster swing speed.
Drills
Practicing drills can help improve your clubface control. One drill involves using a chair at your range to work on timing your downswing better. Sit in the chair, tee up a driver, and swing smoothly to understand the importance of initiating the swing with your lower body. Another drill is to use a 7 or 8 iron and set up for a half-swing with a narrow stance. Take the club back about 50-75% with minimum effort.
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Fix your takeaway
The takeaway is the first part of the golf swing, and it is essential to get it right. Errors at this initial step can put you on the wrong swing path from the start. Here are some tips to fix your takeaway and improve your swing:
Focus on the Big Muscles
Use your big muscles like your torso and shoulders to control the movement. This helps keep the club from pulling inside too quickly. Start your swing with your shoulder turning back, and your lower body will follow. Overactive hands can make it hard to get the club on plane, so ensure your wrists remain quiet during the takeaway.
Shift Your Weight
Make sure your weight starts to transfer to the trail side. If you don't rotate your lower body and shift your weight, your club can end up inside on the takeaway. Keep your arm and hand motion stable and focus on feeling the weight load on the trail side, then shift to the lead side at impact.
Practice with Short-Game Shots
Work on short-game shots to practice the correct weight shift. This will help you stay on the proper plane and get your club on the right path.
Modify Your Grip
Grip pressure can lead to an overactive hand. Keep a firm but not overly tight grip to allow for proper rotation of the hands and wrists. If you usually have a strong grip, try a neutral grip, and if you use a neutral grip, try a weak grip.
Fix an Outside-In Swing
To fix an outside-in swing, start at the takeaway by taking your club back square instead of back outside. Perform drills where you take it back inside to get the feel for a square takeaway.
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Use drills to improve
To correct an 'apull' in golf, you will need to work on your swing and the club path it produces. The following drills can help you improve your technique and avoid a pulled shot.
Drill 1: Wrist Angles and Swing Path
Take a full-speed backswing with HackMotion on and maintain a flat or slightly flexed wrist at the top. Pause briefly to check your wrist angles in the HackMotion green zone, then complete your swing from that top position. This drill helps you blend the correct wrist position into a full-speed swing, which is key for pull correction.
Drill 2: Combined Top Drill
The Combined Top Drill is a powerful first step in correcting your pull. With HackMotion tracking your wrist angles, you can see and feel the difference between a pull and a pure shot. This drill helps build a square clubface at the top while swinging at full speed, syncing your downswing path and face angle.
Drill 3: Alignment Practice
Use alignment sticks to practice your setup and ensure you are square to the target. Once you have the alignment down, start taking your time to approach each shot, checking that you are setting yourself up directly to the target. Always approach the golf ball from behind, never from the side.
Drill 4: Visualisation
This simple drill can be done at your DIY driving range. Place a target on the net to help visualise what you want to achieve. This will help with your aim and is a perfect example of how drills don't need to be complicated to be effective.
Drill 5: Grip Strength
If you have a strong grip, try a few shots with a neutral grip where you can see two knuckles on your left hand. If you already have a neutral grip, weaken it further and rotate your hands until you see only one knuckle for a weak grip. This can help prevent an outside-to-in swing path, which is a common cause of pulled shots.
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Frequently asked questions
A pull in golf is when the ball starts to the left of the target and continues in a straight line from there, missing the target.
A pull happens when the clubface is closed at impact and is aiming left of the target. This is caused by an outside-in swing, which is a common error where the clubhead is brought outside of the target line.
To correct an outside-in swing, you need to focus on the downswing. Instead of pushing the club outside of the target line, bring the club down from inside the target line, rotating it around your body.
Another common error is locking the left knee at impact, which can cause the ball to shoot straight left.
Yes, there are drills you can incorporate into your practice routine to help correct a pull. These drills help get the clubface square at impact and the club on the correct path. You can also work on your wrist action and ball position.
