Golf Tips: Snap Out Of It

Knowing how to release the club through the ball makes you the envy of most golfers, but that's little comfort when you overdo it and hit snap-hooks. However frustrating a hook may be, don't abandon your swing; instead, focus on two problems, one of which is most likely responsible for it.

Fault #1: Left-Wrist BreakdownToo much release is the result of the right side overpowering the left and the clubface smothering the ball (above). Freeze your swing at impact, and you'd see that the left wrist has broken down (hinged toward the target). Avoid this by setting your left hand slightly ahead of the ball at address, thereby encouraging it to lead the clubhead into impact (right).

Fault #2: Left-Hip Spin-OutThe spin-out occurs when the left hip rotates too much before impact (left). This makes the swing too rotary, which often causes a hook. The most common cause of overzealous hips is alignment or, specifically, aiming the hips too far left. In effect, if the hips start left, they are preset in a spin-out position. Hold a club across your hips to check that they are starting parallel to the target line (below).

Drill: Hip BumpTo stop the hips from spinning out too soon, stick an old clubshaft in the ground two inches ahead of your front foot. Start the downswing with a lateral hip shift, so the left hip bumps the shaft as the club swings down. If the hips move laterally to start he downswing, they won't rotate prematurely.