Miles Bennett
In golf, a pull or pulled shot is when the ball starts to the left of the target. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including an out-to-in club path, a strong grip, a closed clubface at impact, or an incorrect ball position. Other causes may include the golfer's wrist mechanics, swing path, or body alignment. To fix a pull, golfers can work on their grip, ball position, alignment, and wrist angles, ensuring that their swing path matches their clubface.
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What You'll Learn
A strong grip
To correct a pull caused by a strong grip, golfers should focus on improving their grip and wrist mechanics. The goal is to maintain a flat or slightly flexed wrist at the top of the swing, matching that position through the transition and into impact. This can be achieved by mastering optimal wrist angles and challenging yourself to reach the ideal wrist position during a full-speed backswing.
One drill to improve wrist angles is the Combined Top Drill, which can be done with HackMotion tracking to provide visual feedback. This drill helps golfers see and feel the difference between a pull and a pure shot, and it also helps to sync the downswing path with the face angle. Another drill is to focus on taking the club back square instead of back outside during the takeaway, which can help to correct an outside-in swing path that often accompanies a strong grip.
In addition to wrist mechanics, golfers can also make adjustments to their stance and alignment to compensate for a strong grip. For example, adjusting the ball position slightly back can help to neutralize the face angle at contact. Alignment sticks can also be used to ensure that the feet, hips, and shoulders are parallel to the target line, rather than pointing left of it, which can contribute to a pull.
By making these adjustments to grip, wrist angles, stance, and alignment, golfers can effectively reduce the likelihood of a pull caused by a strong grip and improve their overall swing consistency.
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Incorrect wrist angles
To achieve the correct wrist position, golfers can use the Combined Top Drill with HackMotion. This drill helps to build a square clubface at the top of the swing while swinging at full speed, which is key for syncing the downswing path and face angle. By mastering optimal wrist angles, golfers can blend the correct wrist position into a full-speed swing.
Additionally, golfers can use "false starts" as a training technique. This involves swinging to the top at full speed, pausing to check the wrist angles, and then completing the swing from that top position. This allows golfers to focus on achieving the ideal wrist position during a full-speed backswing.
Another cause of incorrect wrist angles is an outside-to-in swing path, which can be influenced by the ball position. By adjusting the ball position slightly back, golfers can neutralize the face angle at contact, preventing the clubface from closing prematurely and reducing the likelihood of a pull.
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Poor swing path
A pull in golf is a shot that starts left of the target. This can be caused by a poor swing path, also known as an outside-in or out-to-in club path. This is when the clubhead is brought outside the target line and only crosses it when it impacts the ball.
To avoid an outside-in swing path, you need to focus on your 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. This can be achieved by visualising a nail that has been driven through the golf ball, pointed right of the target, which you are trying to hammer in with your clubface.
Another cause of a poor swing path is locking the left knee at impact. This changes the angle of the hips, closing them towards the left side, and promoting an outside-in swing path. To avoid this, try to maintain the knee flex that was set at the address constant throughout the swing, up to and including impact with the ball.
Additionally, a strong grip can cause the clubface to close early in the swing. To fix this, adopt a neutral grip to help return the face square at impact. Check that the V's formed by your thumbs and index fingers point to your trail shoulder.
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Incorrect ball position
A ball that is positioned too far forward in your stance can cause the clubface to close before impact. This is because the ball is too close to your body, which can affect your swing path and cause you to swing across the target line, starting the ball left.
To correct this, adjust your ball position slightly back, especially when using irons. This will help to neutralise the face angle at contact. You can also try leaning forward slightly, with more weight on your toes than your heels, to create some space to lag your downswing and turn.
In addition to incorrect ball position, a pull can also be caused by a strong grip, an outside-to-in swing path, and poor wrist mechanics. To fix a pull, it is important to focus on the fundamentals, such as your grip, ball position, alignment, and wrist angles, before changing your swing.
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Incorrect stance
An incorrect stance is one of the main causes of a pull in golf. A pull happens when the clubface is closed to the target at impact. This is often caused by a strong grip, a closed clubface at impact, ball too far forward, or an outside-to-in swing path.
To correct an incorrect stance, golfers should focus on improving their grip, ball position, alignment, and matching their wrist angles to their swing path. A neutral grip helps return the face square at impact. Checking that the V's formed by the thumbs and index fingers point to the trail shoulder is a good indicator of a neutral grip. Alignment sticks can also be used to ensure that the feet, hips, and shoulders are parallel to the target line, not pointing left of it.
In addition to grip and alignment, ball position is crucial. The ball should not be positioned too far forward, as this can cause the clubface to close before impact. Starting with a normal stance, the ball position can be adjusted slightly back to neutralize the face angle at contact.
Finally, wrist angles play a significant role in correcting an incorrect stance. Golfers should 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 helps to keep the clubface open and prevents it from shutting early.
By addressing these factors, golfers can improve their stance and reduce the likelihood of pulling their shots.
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Frequently asked questions
A pull in golf, or a pulled shot, is when the ball starts to the left of the intended target.
The main causes of a pull include an out-to-in or outside-in club path, a strong grip, a closed clubface at impact, ball too far forward, and poor wrist mechanics.
A grip that is too strong or tight can shut the clubface early in the swing, causing a pull. Ensure a neutral grip and check that the V's formed by your thumbs and index fingers point to your trail shoulder.
Flexing or rotating the lead wrist too early can shut the clubface and pull the ball. Aim for a flat or slightly flexed wrist at the top of your swing, matching that position through impact.
To prevent pulling, try the Combined Top Drill with HackMotion to improve wrist angles and swing path. Focus on your setup, alignment, and ball position. Visualize a nail driven through the golf ball that you're trying to hit with your clubface.
