Curve Control

Curving the ball is a subject I cover a lot on Twitter, but that’s mostly because players are trying to get rid of too much curve.

But if you want to become a complete player, you need to know how to move the ball both ways to go around obstacles.

To make the ball hook, move it back slightly in your stance, close the face a few degrees and make your grip stronger, turning both hands away from the target (above, left). To slice it, do the opposite: Move the ball forward, open the face slightly and take a weaker grip (above, right).

In both cases, adjust your aim to account for the big curve you’re setting up. Most golfers don’t change their aim enough, and end up hitting the obstacle or curving past the target.

To Hook It

Position the ball back, close the face slightly and strengthen the grip.

To Slice It

Position the ball forward, open the face slightly and weaken the grip.

Hank Haney is based at the Hank Haney Golf Ranch, Lewisville, Texas. To get fixed in Golf Digest, send Hank your swing on Twitter: @HankDHaney.

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