What Is A Push In Golf And How To Correct It

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes

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Quick Answer

• A push in golf is when your shot travels straight right of your target (if you’re a right-handed golfer) or straight left (if you’re a lefty).
• This usually happens because the clubface is open when you hit the ball, and your swing path is coming from outside the target line, cutting across it.
• Fixing a push means getting that clubface square at impact and swinging more from the inside.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who are fed up with seeing their ball veer off course to the right, no matter how well they think they’re swinging.
• Anyone who wants to understand the mechanics behind those frustrating pushes and learn how to stop them for good.

What to Check First: Understanding What Is A Push in Golf

• Clubface Angle at Impact: This is your number one suspect. At address, make sure your clubface is pointing directly at your target. Then, at the moment of truth, it needs to be square to the club’s path. If it’s open, the ball is going right. Simple as that.
• Swing Path: Think about the direction the clubhead is moving when it meets the ball. Is it coming from outside the target line and swinging across the ball towards the left (for a righty)? That’s an “out-to-in” path, and it’s a huge contributor to pushes.
• Grip Pressure and Position: How you hold the club matters. A grip that’s too “weak” – meaning your thumbs are pointing more towards the target line, and you see fewer knuckles on your lead hand – makes it really hard to rotate the clubface closed through impact.
• Body Alignment: Where are your feet, hips, and shoulders aimed? If your body is aligned right of the target, your swing path will likely follow, leading to that out-to-in motion and a push.

Step-by-Step Plan to Correct a Push in Golf

• Action: Adjust Your Grip. What to look for: Aim for a neutral or slightly strong grip. For a right-handed golfer, the “V” formed by your thumb and forefinger on your left hand should point roughly towards your right shoulder. On your right hand, that “V” should point more towards your right ear. You should see about two to three knuckles on your lead hand when looking down. Mistake to avoid: Gripping too weakly. This is a classic setup for an open clubface at impact, making it feel like you’re fighting the club the whole way. I used to leave the range with my hands aching from trying to force it closed with a weak grip.
• Action: Improve Your Alignment. What to look for: Start by aiming your clubface precisely at your intended target. Then, set your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to that clubface line. Imagine a train track: the clubface is the track for the ball, and your body follows that track. Mistake to avoid: Aiming your body directly at the target while your clubface is aimed right of it. Your body’s natural swing arc will then follow your body’s aim, pushing the ball.
• Action: Shallow the Takeaway. What to look for: When you start your backswing, feel like you’re moving the clubhead back and slightly inside the target line. Think about keeping the clubhead on or below your hands initially, rather than lifting it straight up or taking it way outside your body. This promotes a smoother, more inside path on the downswing. Mistake to avoid: Lifting the club straight up or taking it too far outside. This often leads to an “over-the-top” move on the downswing, which is a major cause of pushes.
• Action: Feel an Inside-Out Swing Path. What to look for: On the downswing, try to feel like you’re swinging the clubhead out towards the right of your target. This sensation encourages an inside-to-out path, which helps square the clubface and send the ball towards your target. It’s about swinging through the ball, not at it. Mistake to avoid: Trying to “cut across” the ball from out-to-in, or yanking the club too far inside on the downswing. This just exaggerates the problem.
• Action: Focus on Clubface Rotation. What to look for: As you swing through the hitting zone, feel your wrists hinge naturally during the backswing and then release through impact. Your hands should lead the clubface through the ball. Imagine your forearms rotating naturally to help the clubface close. Mistake to avoid: Trying to “steer” the ball with your hands or arms. This often leads to a loss of lag and an open clubface, sending it right. Trust your body’s rotation.
• Action: Practice with Drills. What to look for: Use alignment sticks religiously to check your body and clubface alignment before every shot. Try drills like hitting shots with a stronger grip, or practicing a shallow takeaway. Focus on a smooth, inside-out motion. Mistake to avoid: Rushing through the fix without dedicated practice. You won’t build muscle memory that way. Dedicate a few minutes each session to these specific fixes.
• Action: Slow Down Your Swing Tempo. What to look for: A rushed swing often leads to poor sequencing and an open clubface. Focus on a smooth, unhurried transition from backswing to downswing. Feel like you’re building momentum rather than just swinging hard. Mistake to avoid: Swinging too hard and fast. This can disrupt your body’s rotation and make it harder to control the clubface, often resulting in a push.

Common Mistakes When Correcting a Push in Golf

• Mistake: Gripping too weakly. Why it matters: This is a primary driver of open clubfaces. If your hands are in a weak position, you’re fighting an uphill battle to square the clubface through impact, almost guaranteeing a push or a significant slice. Fix: Adjust to a neutral or slightly stronger grip. Ensure you can see two to three knuckles on your lead hand.
• Mistake: Over-the-top swing. Why it matters: This is the classic move where you bring the club inside on the backswing and then yank it back outside the target line on the downswing. It’s a recipe for an out-to-in path and often an open clubface. Fix: Focus on a shallow takeaway and feel like you’re swinging “out to right field” (for a righty) through the ball.
• Mistake: Poor body alignment. Why it matters: If your feet, hips, and shoulders are aimed right of your target, your swing path will naturally follow that line. Even with a good clubface control, this path will push the ball off-line. Fix: Use alignment sticks every time you practice. Get comfortable with your body being parallel to your clubface aim.
• Mistake: Trying to “steer” the ball. Why it matters: When you try to manually guide the ball with your hands and arms, you kill your body’s natural rotation and often leave the clubface open or square to an incorrect path. It leads to tension and inconsistent results. Fix: Trust your swing mechanics. Focus on smooth, full-body rotation and let the club do the work.
• Mistake: Not checking the clubface at address. Why it matters: Even if your swing path is perfect, if the clubface is already aimed right of the target when you set up, the ball will go right. Fix: Always, always, always ensure your clubface is aimed precisely at your intended target before you even think about starting your swing.
• Mistake: Over-correcting the swing path. Why it matters: While you need an inside-out path, trying to swing wildly to the right can lead to hooks or pulls if you get too aggressive or your clubface closes too much relative to that path. Fix: Focus on a smooth, natural inside-out swing. The goal is a straight shot, not a massive pull or hook.
• Mistake: Neglecting the release. Why it matters: A lack of proper wrist and forearm rotation through impact means the clubface stays open, resulting in a push. It’s not just about the path; it’s about how the clubface presents itself to the ball. Fix: Practice drills that encourage wrist hinge and release, like the “pump drill” or swinging with a focus on forearm rotation.

FAQ

• What is the primary cause of a push in golf?

The most common cause is an open clubface at impact, combined with a swing path that moves from outside-to-in across the ball. This combination directs the ball straight right of the target for a right-handed golfer.

• How does an open clubface contribute to a push?

An open clubface means the leading edge of the club is pointing to the right of the target at impact. When your swing path is also moving from outside-to-in (cutting across the ball), the ball is launched in the direction the clubface is pointing, which is right of your intended line.

• What is the difference between a push and a slice?

A push travels straight to the right of the target (for a righty) and is typically caused by an open clubface to the swing path and an out-to-in path. A slice curves from right to left (for a righty) and is caused by an open clubface to the target and an out-to-in swing path. The ball flight is different: one is straight right, the other curves right to left.

• Can a closed clubface cause a push?

It’s uncommon, but technically possible. If your swing path is severely inside-out (swinging way out to the right) and your clubface is closed relative to that path but still open relative to the target, it could result in a push. However, the vast majority of pushes involve an open clubface at impact.

• Should I aim left to compensate for a push?

While this might seem like a quick fix to get the ball on the green, aiming left won’t solve the underlying swing flaw. It’s much better to address the root causes – grip, alignment, and swing path – to hit the ball where you’re actually aiming. Trying to compensate often leads to more inconsistency.

• How can I practice fixing my push without going to the course?

You can use alignment sticks on the driving range or even in your backyard to work on your setup and alignment. Practice drills focusing on a shallow takeaway and an inside-out swing path. You can also use impact tape on your clubface to see where you’re making contact and if the face is square.

• Is a push always a bad shot?

Generally, yes. A push means the ball isn’t going where you intended. However, in some rare situations, a slight push might be preferable to a severe hook or slice, especially if you’re playing a hole where the fairway is to the right. But the goal is to eliminate it and hit the ball straight.