Stop the hurt of a hook with this drill

September 14, 2025 · ByCorbs

A hook feels powerful, but it's just as destructive as a slice. As we covered in the "Learn" articles Fix Your Hook, a hook is often the result of the club getting too "stuck" behind you on an excessively in-to-out path, forcing the hands to flip over and slam the face shut.

The Goal

To fix a hook, we need to prevent the club from getting trapped behind the body and encourage a more neutral swing path. This drill uses the SwingMate to create an "outer wall," stopping the club from falling too far inside.

To neutralize an overly in-to-out swing path and sync up your arm swing with your body rotation, preventing the club from getting stuck and leading to a "stall and flip" hook.

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Right-handed fade target line and swing path illustration — Fade target line and swing path illustration for right-handed golfer

Left-handed fade target line and swing path illustration — Fade target line and swing path illustration for Left-handed golfer

Right-handed draw gate drill alignment stick angles for SwingMate — Recommended starting positions for SwingMate's two-rod fade gate drill for a right-handed golfer

Left-handed draw gate drill alignment stick angles for SwingMate — Recommended starting positions for SwingMate's two-rod fade gate drill for a left-handed golfer

The Setup

This setup is essentially the opposite of the slice drill.- - Place the Base: Position the SwingMate base on your trail side as usual. - Set the Target Line: Use the 400mm rod to point at your ball. - Use the "Fade" Holes: For a right-hander, feed the two 600mm rods into the holes marked RH FADE. This positions the base to promote a more neutral-to-left path. - - Create the "Outer Wall": Attach a hinge and set a rod at a steep vertical angle (e.g., Base Angle 0°, Rod Angle 70-75°). Position this rod so it sits just outside your hands at address. This is your guide.

The Drill

This setup now provides a clear boundary for your swing.- - The Takeaway: As you take the club back, your goal is to keep your hands and the clubhead outside the vertical rod. This prevents you from pushing the club inside the line. - - The Downswing: This is the key move. As you start down, the rod's presence stops you from dropping the club too far behind you and getting stuck. It forces you to keep the club more "in front" of your chest. - - Start Slow: As always, begin with slow, deliberate swings. Feel how your body has to rotate to keep the club on plane and away from the rod. - - The Result: By preventing the club from getting too far inside, this drill eliminates the need for the hands to make a violent, last-second flip to save the shot. It encourages your body to lead the way, syncing up your rotation with your arm swing for a more neutral path and a much squarer clubface at impact.