Common Causes Of A Push In Golf

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Quick Answer

• A push in golf is a shot that veers right for a right-handed golfer, starting on or right of the target and staying there or curving gently right.
• The primary culprits are an open clubface at impact and an out-to-in swing path, often working together.
• Addressing your grip, swing plane, and clubface awareness are key to fixing this common miss.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who find their shots consistently drifting off-target to the right, costing them strokes and confidence.
• Players who want to understand the mechanics behind a common golf shot error and gain practical strategies to correct it.
• Anyone looking to improve their accuracy and hit more greens, ultimately lowering their scores.

What Causes a Push in Golf: What to Check First

Before you even swing, a few things can set you up for a push. Let’s get these dialed in first.

• Clubface at Address: Take your normal setup. Look down at your clubface. Is it aimed squarely at your target, or is it noticeably pointing to the right of your target line? This is a huge clue. If it’s already open, you’re fighting an uphill battle from the get-go.
• Your Grip: This is a big one, and often overlooked. For a right-handed golfer, a “weak” grip means your lead hand (left hand) is rotated too far counter-clockwise on the club. You might see more than two knuckles on your left hand when looking down. A weak grip makes it much harder for the clubface to close through impact.
• Swing Path Awareness: This one is harder to see yourself, but you can feel it. During your downswing, does the club feel like it’s coming from outside the target line and cutting across the ball? This is an “out-to-in” path, and it’s a classic cause of a push, especially when combined with an open face.
• Alignment: Where are your feet, hips, and shoulders aimed? If you’re aimed right of the target, and then swing on that line, the ball will go right. Conversely, if you’re aimed left (trying to compensate for a perceived push), but your swing path is still out-to-in, you can still push it further right or even hit a pull-hook.

If you suspect your grip is too weak, consider using a golf grip trainer to help you find the correct hand position. This can make a significant difference in squaring the clubface.

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

Alright, let’s get to work. These steps will help you diagnose and correct that pesky push.

• Action: Assess your grip. What to look for: Take your normal grip. Now, look down at your lead hand (left hand for righties). Can you see two or three knuckles on your left hand? If so, your grip is likely too weak. Try rotating your left hand slightly clockwise on the club, so you see more like one or two knuckles. Your right hand should also be in a neutral position, not too far underneath the club. Mistake to avoid: Gripping too weakly. This is a fundamental flaw that makes squaring the clubface incredibly difficult. I’ve seen guys struggle for years because of this.
• Action: Check clubface at address. What to look for: With your intended grip, place the club behind the ball. Is the face of the club square to your target line? Or is it already pointing slightly right? If it’s pointing right, that’s your first problem. Mistake to avoid: Aiming the clubface left to compensate for a perceived push. This is a bad habit that only compounds the issue. You should aim the clubface directly at your target.
• Action: Practice your takeaway. What to look for: As you start your backswing, does the club move straight back, or does it feel like you’re immediately pulling it inside towards your body? A smooth, straight takeaway is ideal. Mistake to avoid: Yanking the club inside too quickly on the backswing. This often forces an out-to-in swing path on the downswing, leading to a push.
• Action: Feel the downswing “slot.” What to look for: After reaching the top of your backswing, focus on the feeling of the club dropping into a more inside position as you start your downswing. Imagine the club swinging from the inside towards the ball. This is often described as getting “in the slot.” Mistake to avoid: Coming “over the top.” This is when the club swings from outside the target line on the downswing, a prime cause of pushes and slices. It’s a common struggle for many golfers.
• Action: Focus on clubface awareness through impact. What to look for: During your practice swings and when hitting balls, try to feel the clubface naturally closing through the hitting zone. It shouldn’t feel like you’re actively holding it open. You want to feel a smooth release. Mistake to avoid: Actively trying to “hold off” the release of the clubface, thinking this will keep it square. This often results in an open face and a push.
• Action: Practice with alignment aids. What to look for: Use alignment sticks on the driving range. Place one pointing at your target, and another parallel to it, indicating your foot line. Ensure your body and the clubface are aligned correctly before you swing. Mistake to avoid: Relying solely on feel when your setup is fundamentally off. Proper alignment is the foundation of an accurate shot.
• Action: Experiment with a slightly stronger grip. What to look for: If you suspect a weak grip is the issue, try rotating your lead hand a little more clockwise. You should see one or two knuckles clearly. Feel how this changes the clubface position at address and how it feels through impact. Mistake to avoid: Sticking with a grip that consistently causes an open clubface. Small adjustments here can make a big difference.

Understanding What Causes a Push in Golf

Let’s dive a bit deeper into the mechanics. Knowing why a push happens is half the battle.

The fundamental reason a golf ball goes where it does is the combination of the clubface angle and the swing path at the moment of impact. For a right-handed golfer, a push occurs when:

1. The Clubface is Open at Impact: If the clubface is aimed to the right of your target line when it strikes the ball, the ball will start in that direction. If your swing path is also neutral or slightly out-to-in, the ball will tend to stay straight or curve gently to the right. This is the most direct cause of a push.

2. The Swing Path is Out-to-In: This means your club is approaching the ball from outside the line of your target and cutting across it towards the left. When this happens, especially if the clubface is square or slightly open to the path (but not necessarily to the target), the ball will start left of the path and curve right. If the clubface is open to the target, the push will be even more pronounced.

Often, these two issues go hand-in-hand. A weak grip can lead to an open clubface. An out-to-in swing path can be caused by a poor takeaway or trying to swing “harder” by coming over the top. The combination of an open clubface and an out-to-in swing path is a recipe for a solid push.

If you’re struggling to diagnose whether the issue is an open clubface or an out-to-in swing path, a golf swing analyzer can offer precise feedback on both.

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It’s also worth noting how the ball reacts. A push is generally characterized by the ball starting right of the target and staying there, or having a gentle rightward curve. It’s not the dramatic, sweeping curve of a slice, but it’s still off-line and problematic.

Common Mistakes That Cause a Push

These are the usual suspects that lead to that frustrating push.

• Weak Grip — Why it matters: A weak grip makes it very difficult for the clubface to naturally rotate and close through impact. This leaves the face open, sending the ball right. — Fix: Strengthen your grip by rotating your lead hand slightly clockwise (for righties) so you see one or two knuckles. Ensure your trail hand is also in a neutral position.
• Over-the-Top Swing — Why it matters: This is when your downswing starts with the club moving outside the target line. It often leads to an open clubface at impact and an out-to-in swing path, both classic push culprits. — Fix: Focus on feeling the club “drop” into the slot on the downswing. Practice drills that encourage an inside-to-out path, like swinging from the inside.
• Holding the Clubface Open — Why it matters: This is a conscious or unconscious effort to “steer” the ball straight by preventing the natural closing of the clubface. It directly results in an open face at impact and a push. — Fix: Practice feeling the clubface releasing and closing through impact during your practice swings. Trust the natural rotation of your wrists and arms.
• Poor Alignment — Why it matters: If your body (feet, hips, shoulders) or the clubface is aimed right of the target from the start, your swing will naturally follow that line, resulting in a push. — Fix: Use alignment sticks religiously on the range. Check your setup meticulously before every shot, ensuring your body and clubface are aimed correctly at the target.
• Trying to “Steer” the Ball — Why it matters: Manipulating the clubface or trying to “guide” the ball instead of letting your natural swing produce the shot often leads to an open face and a push. It’s a lack of trust in the swing. — Fix: Focus on making a good, fluid swing and trust that the clubface will square up with proper technique. Shift your focus from the ball’s destination to the quality of your swing motion.
• Incorrect Ball Position — Why it matters: Playing the ball too far forward in your stance can encourage an out-to-in swing path as you try to make contact. — Fix: Ensure your ball position is consistent for each club. For most shots, the ball should be off the lead heel for the driver, moving progressively back towards the center of your stance for shorter clubs.

FAQ

• What is a push in golf?

A push in golf is a shot that starts on or to the right of your intended target line (for a right-handed golfer) and generally stays there, or curves gently to the right. It’s a common directional miss that differs from a slice, which typically has a more pronounced curve.

• Is a push the same as a slice?

No, they are different. A slice is a shot that starts on or right of the target and curves significantly to the right due to a severely open clubface and an out-to-in swing path. A push starts right and generally stays right with less curve, often caused by an open clubface with a more neutral or slightly out-to-in path.

• How does grip strength affect a push?

The term “grip strength” is a bit misleading here; it’s more about the position of your hands on the club. A “weak” grip, where your lead hand is rotated too far counter-clockwise on the club, makes it very hard to square the clubface at impact, directly leading to a push. A “stronger” grip (more clockwise rotation for the lead hand) makes it easier to close the clubface.

• Can an out-to-in swing path cause a push?

Absolutely. When your club swings from outside the target line towards the ball on the downswing, it often forces the clubface to remain open through impact. This combination of an out-to-in path and an open clubface is a very common cause of a push.

• What if my push only happens with certain clubs?

This usually indicates a swing issue specific to how you’re using that club. For instance, a push with irons might stem from a different swing path than a push with a driver. It’s often a sign that your fundamental swing mechanics aren’t translating consistently across your set of clubs. Work on your overall swing plane and clubface control.

• How can I practice fixing a push on the driving range?

Start by checking your grip and alignment before every swing. Use alignment sticks to ensure you’re aimed correctly. Focus on a smooth takeaway and feeling the club drop into the slot on the downswing. Hit balls and pay attention to where they start and curve. If they’re pushing, try making small adjustments to your grip or focusing on a more inside-to-out swing path. Don’t try to fix everything at once; pick one or two things to work on per session.