Fixing Pulled Golf Shots

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes

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Quick Answer

• Get your grip dialed in – think neutral to slightly stronger.
• Swing from the inside, not over the top.
• Make sure that clubface is square at impact.

Who This Is For

• You, if your golf ball consistently veers left of the target (assuming you’re right-handed).
• Any golfer tired of seeing their shots miss left and looking for solid, actionable advice to straighten things out.

What to Check First

• Your Grip: Squeeze the club like you’re holding a bird – firm enough it won’t fly away, but gentle enough not to crush it. Too tight and you’ll get tense.
• Your Alignment: Are your feet, hips, and shoulders aimed right at the flag? Or are you unconsciously pointing yourself left? Double-check this.
• The Clubface: Take a peek at it at address. Then, try to feel its position through the swing. It needs to be square to the target when it meets the ball.
• The Takeaway: How you start your swing is a big deal. Is the club moving away from the ball on a good path?

Step-by-Step Plan to Stop Pulling Golf Shots

This is where we get down to business. Fixing a pulled shot isn’t rocket science, but it takes focus and practice. Let’s break it down.

1. Action: Adjust your grip for better control.

What to look for: For right-handed golfers, your left hand should be rotated slightly clockwise on the club. You should be able to see about two to three knuckles when you look down. Your right hand should feel like it’s more on top of the grip, covering your left thumb. This position helps promote a square clubface through impact. I remember when I first tried this, it felt a little weird, but man, did it make a difference.
Mistake to avoid: A grip that’s too weak (left hand rotated too far counter-clockwise) or too strong (left hand rotated excessively clockwise). A weak grip makes it tough to square the face, and a strong grip can sometimes lead to hooks if not managed.

2. Action: Set up with precise alignment to the target.

What to look for: Imagine you’re standing on railroad tracks. Your feet, hips, and shoulders should all be parallel to the target line – the inside track, if you will. Your clubface should be aimed directly at your target. This setup is fundamental.
Mistake to avoid: Aiming left of the target. This is a super common trap. You might think you’re compensating for a slice, but if you’re pulling the ball, aiming left just sends it further off course. Use alignment sticks on the range until this feels natural.

3. Action: Initiate your backswing with an “inside” takeaway.

What to look for: As you start to move the club away from the ball, feel the clubhead travel slightly inside the target line. Think of a gentle, sweeping motion that starts the club on a path that will lead to an inside-to-out swing. It shouldn’t be a violent move.
Mistake to avoid: Taking the club straight back, which can lead to an “over-the-top” move, or pulling the club too far inside too quickly. This sets you up for an out-to-in swing path.

4. Action: Develop an inside-to-out swing path.

What to look for: During your downswing, your goal is to have the club approach the ball from slightly inside the target line and swing out towards your target. Feel like you’re swinging out towards right field if you’re right-handed. This is crucial for stopping the pull.
Mistake to avoid: The dreaded “over-the-top” swing. This is when the club comes from outside the target line, cutting across the ball. It’s a primary cause of pulled shots. Focus on letting your lower body initiate the downswing, which helps drop the club into the correct slot.

5. Action: Ensure the clubface is square at impact.

What to look for: At the moment of impact, the clubface should be perpendicular to your target line. You shouldn’t be actively trying to “steer” the clubface closed or open. It should feel like a natural release of the club. A neutral grip and an inside-to-out swing path will help achieve this naturally.
Mistake to avoid: Trying to consciously manipulate the clubface at impact. This often leads to over-correction and inconsistent results. Trust the setup and the swing path you’ve been working on.

6. Action: Maintain proper tempo and rhythm.

What to look for: A smooth, unhurried swing from start to finish. Tension is the enemy of a good golf swing, and it can definitely contribute to pulling shots. Feel the flow of your swing.
Mistake to avoid: Rushing the swing, especially the transition from backswing to downswing. This often leads to an out-to-in path and an open clubface. Take a deep breath and let the swing happen.

How to Stop Pulling Golf Shots: Common Mistakes

Let’s talk about the usual suspects that keep golfers from fixing their pulled shots. Knowing these can save you a lot of frustration.

• Grip Too Weak — Why it matters: A weak grip (where your hands are rotated too far counter-clockwise for righties) makes it difficult to square the clubface through impact. This often leads to the golfer trying to “help” the face close by swinging across the ball, resulting in a pull. — Fix: Strengthen your grip by rotating your hands slightly more to the right. Aim to see 2-3 knuckles on your lead hand.

• Over-the-Top Swing — Why it matters: This is arguably the most common cause of pulled shots. When the club comes from outside the target line during the downswing, it cuts across the ball, forcing it left. It’s a fundamental swing path issue. — Fix: Focus on an inside takeaway and initiating the downswing with your hips and lower body. This helps shallow the club and bring it from the inside. Practice drills that emphasize dropping the club into the “slot.”

• Poor Alignment — Why it matters: If your body and clubface are aimed left of your intended target at address, the ball will naturally start left. Even a perfectly straight swing will then be a pull relative to your actual target. — Fix: Use alignment sticks religiously on the driving range. Place one parallel to the target line for your feet and another pointing directly at your target for the clubface.

• Excessive Tension — Why it matters: Gripping the club too tightly or tensing up your shoulders and arms kills your natural swing rhythm and flexibility. This tension often leads to a manipulated swing, frequently resulting in an out-to-in path. — Fix: Consciously relax your grip and focus on a smooth, fluid motion throughout your swing. Try some light stretching before you play.

• Clubface Control Issues — Why it matters: Trying to manually close or open the clubface at impact is a recipe for disaster. If you’re fighting an open face with a weak grip, you might try to flip your wrists, which can cause the face to close too much or too late, leading to a pull or even a hook. — Fix: Trust your grip and swing path. The clubface should square up naturally through proper mechanics, not manipulation.

• Incorrect Ball Position — Why it matters: While not always the primary cause, a ball position that’s too far forward in your stance can sometimes encourage an out-to-in swing path as you try to reach for it. — Fix: Ensure the ball is positioned correctly for the club you’re using. For most irons, it’s about one clubhead width inside your lead heel. For woods, it’s further forward.

FAQ

• What exactly is a pulled golf shot?

A pulled golf shot is one that starts to the left of your intended target and continues in that direction, often with little to no curve. For a right-handed golfer, this means the ball starts left of the pin or fairway.

• How does a weak grip contribute to a pulled shot?

A weak grip makes it harder to rotate the clubface square to the target at impact. The face tends to stay open, and golfers often try to compensate by swinging across the ball from an out-to-in path, which results in a pull. It’s a bit of a domino effect.

• Can you explain what an “over-the-top” swing is and why it causes pulls?

An “over-the-top” swing occurs when, during the downswing, the golfer brings the club outside the line of the ball. This forces the club to approach the ball from an outside-to-in path, cutting across it and sending it left. It’s like chopping down on the ball from the outside.

• Is it possible for my stance to cause me to pull the ball?

Absolutely. If your feet, hips, and shoulders are aimed left of the target at address, even if you swing perfectly straight, the ball will start left. It’s crucial to ensure your entire body is aligned correctly to your intended target.

• Should I seek professional help if I can’t fix my pulled shots?

If you’ve tried these adjustments and are still struggling, enlisting the help of a PGA professional is a great idea. They can analyze your swing in person, identify specific issues you might be missing, and provide tailored drills to help you break the habit.

• How long does it usually take to stop pulling golf shots after making these changes?

The timeline varies for everyone. Some golfers notice improvement after just one practice session focusing on these principles. For others, it might take a few weeks of consistent practice on the range and during casual rounds. The key is repetition and patience. Don’t get discouraged if it’s not perfect immediately.

• What’s the difference between a pulled shot and a hook?

A pulled shot starts left of the target and typically flies relatively straight or with a slight fade. A hook also starts left (for a righty) but curves significantly to the left during its flight. A hook often results from a strong grip combined with an out-to-in swing, or a very rapid closing of the clubface. A pull is more about the starting line and a less severe curve.

Sources:

• How to Fix a Pull Shot in Golf