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Fixing a Push Shot in Golf

ByThe Golfer

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes


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Quick Answer

  • A golf push is a shot that curves right of the target, usually due to an open clubface or an outside-to-in swing path.
  • Fixing a push involves adjusting your grip, ensuring proper alignment, and promoting an in-to-out swing path.
  • Focus on a neutral grip, aiming straight at the target, and swinging through the ball to send it where you want it.

Who This Is For

  • Golfers of any level who find their shots consistently drifting to the right.
  • Players who want practical tips to stop pushing the ball and improve accuracy.

What to Check First for a Push Shot in Golf

  • Your Grip: Is it too weak? For a right-handed golfer, this means your left hand is rotated too far clockwise. This is a common culprit.
  • Your Alignment: Are your feet, hips, and shoulders aimed left of your target? Many golfers do this without realizing it.
  • Clubface at Impact: Is the clubface open when you hit the ball? This is a dead giveaway.
  • Swing Path: Are you swinging from outside the target line to inside? This “cutting” motion is a classic push producer.

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

Mastering Your Grip to Avoid Pushes

  • Action: Adjust your grip to a neutral position.
  • What to look for: For a right-handed golfer, the V formed by your thumb and index finger on your left hand should point towards your right shoulder. This encourages a slight draw bias.
  • Mistake to avoid: A grip that is too weak. This is the number one reason the clubface stays open. It’s like trying to hold a steering wheel with your palm facing up.

Square Your Alignment for a Straight Ball

  • Action: Ensure your feet, hips, and shoulders are aimed directly at your target.
  • What to look for: Use an alignment stick on the ground to verify your body is square to the target line. Imagine your body is a train on parallel tracks, and the target is down the main line.
  • Mistake to avoid: Subconsciously aiming left of the target to compensate for your expected push. This just makes it worse, like trying to steer a car to the right by turning the wheel left.

Promoting an In-to-Out Swing Path

  • Action: Focus on swinging the clubhead from inside the target line on your backswing and through the ball.
  • What to look for: Imagine swinging towards first base if you’re right-handed. This promotes a path that naturally closes the clubface. Think about swinging around the ball, not across it.
  • Mistake to avoid: An outside-to-in “cutting” motion across the ball. This is the opposite of what you want. It’s like chopping wood instead of swinging a scythe.

Common Mistakes in Fixing a Push Shot

  • Incorrect Grip — Leads to an open clubface at impact — Strengthen your grip slightly by rotating your hands clockwise (for right-handed golfers). You want to feel like you’re shaking hands with the club.
  • Poor Alignment — Causes an outside-to-in swing path — Use alignment sticks and check your body’s aim at the target. It’s easy to drift left without noticing.
  • Swinging Too Hard — Promotes an out-to-in path and open face — Focus on smooth tempo and controlled acceleration. A faster swing often leads to a rushed, out-to-in motion.
  • Not Checking Clubface — You might fix path but still have an open face — Make sure the clubface is square at impact. The clubface is king; it dictates where the ball starts.
  • Trying Too Much at Once — Overwhelms your swing — Work on one fix at a time, starting with your grip. Trying to change everything at once is a recipe for frustration.
  • Ignoring Ball Position — Ball too far forward can encourage an out-to-in path — Experiment with moving the ball slightly back in your stance. Sometimes a small adjustment here makes a big difference.
  • Not Practicing with Purpose — Hitting balls without a plan won’t help — Focus on the specific fix you’re working on, even if it means hitting fewer balls. Quality over quantity.

FAQ

  • What is a push shot in golf? A push shot is a golf ball that travels in a straight line to the right of your intended target for a right-handed golfer (or left for a left-handed golfer). It’s not a slice, which curves significantly; a push goes straight where you don’t want it to.
  • How does an open clubface cause a push? If the clubface is open (pointing to the right of the target) at impact, it will direct the ball to the right, regardless of your swing path. Think of it like aiming a hose; if the nozzle is pointed right, the water goes right.
  • What is the ideal swing path to avoid a push? The ideal swing path to avoid a push is an in-to-out path. This means the clubhead travels from inside the target line on the backswing and continues to move outwards through the ball. This motion naturally helps to close the clubface.
  • Can a weak grip cause a push? Absolutely. A weak grip can make it very difficult to square the clubface at impact, leading to an open face and a push. It’s like trying to grip a hammer with just your fingertips; you don’t have much control.
  • How can I check my alignment easily? Lay an alignment stick on the ground parallel to your target line, with the other end pointing at your ball. Position your feet, hips, and shoulders so they are parallel to this stick and aimed at the target. It’s a simple but effective visual aid.
  • What’s the difference between a push and a slice? A push starts right of the target and goes straight right. A slice also starts right (or sometimes straight) but then curves significantly to the right due to a combination of an open clubface and an outside-to-in swing path.
  • How quickly can I expect to see results? Improvement takes practice. You might see some immediate positive changes by focusing on your grip and alignment, but consistently fixing a push shot requires dedicated practice on the range and applying these principles on the course. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen overnight.

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