Difference Between Slice & Hook

You take a moment to carefully visualize the trajectory on which you wish to send the golf ball. Focused with intent, you take a couple slow, calculated practice swings, then step up to address the ball. After lining up your grip one last time, you finally take the swing only to see the ball arc far to the left or right. The slice and hook are two of a golfer's worst nightmares.

  1. Golf Slice

    • A golf slice occurs when the club face impacts the ball while moving in an "out-to-in" motion. The term describes how the golfer literally slices across the ball, rather than hitting it squarely. A slice forces the ball into a fast spinning rotation that will cause it to curve strongly in the direction the golfer faces as it propels forward. This often lands the golf ball in undesirable places, like woods, bramble, a pond, a sandpit, or worst of all -- out of bounds.

    Golf Hook

    • A golf hook occurs when the club face impacts the ball while moving in an "in-to-out" motion. The motion causes the golf ball to curve sharply behind the plane of the golfer's back and results from turning your wrist over while you swing. Essentially the opposite of the slice, hooks can land your ball in equally undesirable locations on the course.

    Draw and Fade Vs. Hook and Slice

    • Although the hook and slice represent some of golfers' biggest blunders, a good golfer can use them deliberately to produce positive results in certain situations. As an example, say you stand 250 yards from the target hole, but the course curves sharply in one direction 175 yards ahead with trees blocking a line drive to the hole. Hitting the ball straight would require two swings to get the ball on the green, but by utilizing a deliberate hook or slice (depending on the stance of the golfer and direction of the course) you can do it in one. While the terms "hook" and "slice" connote a dramatic curve, the "draw" and "fade" respectively are more subtle versions of the same swings.

    Cure a Hook or Slice

    • Although the hook and slice are essentially completely the opposite, you can correct both with similar steps. First, practice hitting the ball with a seven, eight or nine iron club in a chipping motion. Focus on your form, and following straight through the ball keep hitting until you limit or eliminate your hook or slice. Then, use a driver and a full swing, except pull your backswing slowly, concentrating on making your club align with a path that will project it straight ahead. Of course the cliché "practice makes perfect" rings especially true here, and over time you will experience some subtle epiphanies on the road to straightening your hook or slice.