Trevor Ng
Blocking in golf, also known as the good player's miss, is when the ball starts to the right of the target and flies straight in that direction until it lands. This is caused by the over-rotation of the lower body, an open clubface at impact, and an out-to-in swing path. To fix this issue, it is important to first understand the problem and then make the necessary corrections. One of the main causes of a block is a lack of synchronicity between the hips and shoulders, resulting in the clubface being open at impact. To fix this, golfers can ensure they are connected properly at the top of the swing by making a good shoulder turn and maintaining posture in the swing. Other tips include keeping the clubface closed at impact, strengthening the grip, and focusing on the swing path.
How to fix a blocked golf shot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Understanding the problem | Identify the problem and understand why you are blocking the ball to the right |
| Clubface position | Keep the clubface closed at impact and square with the path of the club throughout the swing |
| Connection | Make a good shoulder turn to ensure connection at the top of the swing |
| Posture | Maintain posture by practising your pivot with your head against a door jamb |
| Club path | Avoid taking the club back too far inside the target line, and ensure the club is in front of the body on the way down |
| Alignment | Ensure your eye line, feet, knees, hips, and shoulders are parallel to your target line |
| Grip | Strengthen your grip to help close the face |
| Practice | Start with slow, small swings and gradually build up speed |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the problem: Is it a slice or a block?
Golfers often confuse a slice with a block, as both shots end up with the ball finishing to the right of its target. However, the causes of a slice and a block are different, and therefore require different fixes.
A blocked shot is when the ball starts to the right of your target and flies straight out in that direction until it lands. This happens when the lower body rotates faster than the upper body on the downswing. The hips clear early, and the arms are late, so the club swings too far right, and impact is made with an open clubface.
A slice, on the other hand, starts left and then moves right. This is caused by a lack of synchronicity between the hips and shoulders.
To identify if you are hitting a slice or a block, pay attention to the direction of the ball at the start of its flight. If it starts left and then moves right, you are slicing. If it starts to the right and stays in that direction, you are hitting a block.
Once you have identified whether you are hitting a slice or a block, you can then begin to work on fixing the problem.
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Understand why you are blocking the ball
Understanding why you are blocking the ball is the first step to fixing your golf swing. A blocked shot is when the ball starts to the right of the target and flies straight in that direction. This is caused by a variety of mistakes in your swing.
The first mistake could be that your lower body is rotating faster than your upper body on the downswing. This results in the hips clearing while the arms are still in the downswing, causing the clubface to be in an open position at impact. This leads to the ball flying to the right.
The second mistake could be that you are losing posture through impact. This means that you are raising the handle of the club, preventing the hands from releasing and squaring the clubface at impact. This can be fixed by practising your pivot with your head against a door jamb to maintain posture during the swing.
The third mistake could be that your club path is of the inside-out variety, and the clubface matches the path at impact. This will aim the club to the right, resulting in no favourable draw spin to bring the ball back towards the target.
The fourth mistake could be that you are creating space between your body and the club. This is the opposite of what good blockers do, who tend to invade this space as their lower half extends and moves towards the ball. This gets the club trapped behind, making it difficult to square up at impact.
By understanding these common mistakes and identifying which ones are causing your blocked shots, you can start to make the necessary corrections during practice.
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Check your posture, elbow, and eye alignment
Fixing a blocked golf shot starts with understanding the problem. A blocked shot is when the ball starts to the right of your target and continues in that direction. This is different from a slice, which also ends up to the right of the target but is caused by different factors.
A blocked shot is often caused by a lack of synchronicity between the hips and shoulders. This can be due to the lower half of the body rotating faster than the upper half during the downswing, causing the hips to clear while the arms are still in motion. This results in an open clubface at impact, pushing the ball to the right.
To fix this issue, check your posture, elbow, and eye alignment. Ensure your left elbow is relaxed and pointed down towards your hip, not towards the target. This helps keep the left arm connected to the chest and prevents the clubface from opening.
Another crucial aspect is maintaining proper posture throughout the swing. Avoid invading the space between the body and the club, as this can cause the club to get trapped behind, making it challenging to square up at impact. Practice your pivot with your head against a door jamb to improve posture and maintain consistency.
Additionally, check your eye alignment by ensuring your eye line is parallel to your target line. This is similar to aligning your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders. If your head is cocked to the right, your eye line will also be to the right, influencing the direction of your swing.
By focusing on these adjustments and practising with drills, you can improve your swing mechanics and reduce the occurrence of blocked shots.
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Keep the clubface closed at impact
Keeping the clubface closed at impact is a challenge that many golfers face. The clubface position at impact is the most important factor in determining the initial direction of the ball. A closed clubface is turned left of square, pointing left of the target, and can cause a hook. Here are some tips to help keep the clubface closed at impact:
Firstly, check your grip. If you tend to slice the ball, you may need a stronger grip. Experimenting with your grip can help you find the right balance. For right-handed golfers, ensure your left hand is not rotated too far left or right, maintaining a neutral position. This will also help set up your wrists correctly from the start. A strong grip can be a temporary solution when you are on the course and slicing the ball. However, it is important to address the root cause of the issue, which could be related to your setup or swing.
Secondly, focus on your wrist position and angle. The wrist angle, especially flexion and extension, plays a crucial role in opening and closing the clubface during the swing. Excessive flexion (bowing) will close the clubface, while too much extension (cupping) will open it. Finding the right balance of wrist flexion and extension will enable you to control the clubface angle and, consequently, the direction of your shot.
Thirdly, pay attention to your lower body movement. The clubface, hands, arms, and swing are all influenced by the lower body. Proper weight transfer and hip turn are essential to achieving the desired clubface position at impact. Focus on rotating your hips and pelvis to improve your swing and close the clubface.
Additionally, you can try an exercise to improve your face control. With a square stance, close the clubface significantly and aim left, then swing right. If you still slice, close the face more and swing further right, aiming to produce a hook. Next, try an exaggerated slice by opening the face and swinging left. Alternate between attempting hooks and slices, gradually reducing the severity of each, and you will gain a better understanding of face control, leading to straighter shots.
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Practice drills to correct the issue
Practice drills are an effective way to correct the issue of blocking golf shots.
One of the main causes of blocking is a lack of synchronicity between the hips and shoulders, which results in the lower body rotating faster than the upper body during the downswing. To fix this, you can try the following drills:
- Focus on your pivot by practising with your head against a door jamb to maintain posture during the swing.
- Start from a 3/4 backswing position and swing the club "outside in" or "low and left" after impact.
- Watch the ball until your right shoulder turns under your chin to help maintain posture through impact.
- Strengthen your grip to help close the clubface.
- Swing outside in and stay behind the ball, trying to hit up on it.
Another cause of blocking is the clubface being open at impact. To correct this, you can try the following drills:
- Take slow practice swings and stop around impact to ensure the clubface is closed.
- Ensure you are taking the club straight back on the backswing and straight through during the downswing, rather than bringing it too far inside.
- Lay two alignment sticks on the ground with the ball between them and focus on swinging the club down this "track", allowing the clubface to release and square up.
It is important to identify the specific cause of your blocking issue and then focus on correcting that through practice drills.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are a right-handed golfer, a blocked shot will start to the right of your target and continue in that direction.
The most common cause of a block is when the lower body rotates faster than the upper body on the downswing. This results in the hips clearing while the arms are still in the downswing.
Other causes include a lack of synchronicity between the hips and shoulders, taking the club back too far inside the target line, and losing posture through impact.
To fix a block, you need to identify the problem and make the necessary corrections. This may include practicing your pivot, keeping the club in front of your body on the downswing, and ensuring the clubface is closed at impact.
Yes, there are drills that can help. One drill is to lay two alignment sticks on the ground with the ball between them and focus on swinging the club down that track. Another drill is to start from a 3/4 backswing position and swing the club slightly "outside in" or "low and left" after impact.
