Identifying and Correcting a Pull Shot in Golf
← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes
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Quick Answer
- A pull shot in golf means the ball starts left of your target (if you’re right-handed).
- It’s usually a combo of a closed clubface at impact and/or an out-to-in swing path.
- Getting your grip and alignment dialed in is the key to fixing it.
Who This is For
- Golfers who consistently see their shots veer left of where they were aiming.
- Anyone looking to improve their ball striking accuracy and stop leaving shots on the table.
What is a Pull in Golf: What to Check First
Before you even think about swinging, let’s get your setup dialed in. This is where most problems start, and it’s way easier to fix here than during the downswing.
- Check your grip: This is huge. Is it too weak? A weak grip can make the clubface close way too early through impact. For a right-handed golfer, you want to see about two to three knuckles on your lead (left) hand when you look down. The “V” formed by your thumb and index finger on both hands should point somewhere between your trail shoulder and your chin. If you see more than three knuckles or the “V” points way out to the right, it’s likely too weak.
- Check your stance and alignment: Are your feet, hips, and shoulders all aimed parallel to your target line? Or are they pointing left of the target? This is a super common mistake that forces an out-to-in swing. Imagine railroad tracks – your body should be on the inside track, and the ball and target are on the outside.
- Use alignment sticks: Seriously, these are your best friends. Lay one down pointing directly at your target. Lay another parallel to it, where your feet will go. This gives you a visual cue. Are you actually aligning yourself to the second stick?
- Assess your takeaway: How does the club start back? Is the club head moving straight back, or is it diving inside way too quickly? A fast, inside takeaway is a classic setup for an out-to-in swing.
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Step-by-Step Plan to Correct a Pull Shot
Alright, let’s get this fixed. It’s not magic, just good mechanics.
1. Adjust your grip. What to look for: Aim for a neutral or slightly stronger grip. For a right-handed golfer, this means seeing two to three knuckles on your left hand. The “V” formed by your thumb and index finger on both hands should point roughly towards your right shoulder. This helps keep the clubface from closing too early. Mistake to avoid: Gripping too weakly, where you see too many knuckles or the “V” points too far right. This makes it hard to square the face and can lead to you trying to force it square, causing other issues.
2. Square your stance and shoulders. What to look for: Your feet, hips, and shoulders should be parallel to your intended target line. Think of those railroad tracks again. Your body should be on the inner track, aiming parallel to the target line. Mistake to avoid: Aiming your body left of the target. This is a huge contributor to an out-to-in swing path, which often leads to a pull if the face is closed.
3. Focus on a smooth takeaway. What to look for: The club head should move straight back or slightly outside the target line in the initial part of your backswing. Resist the urge to yank it inside. A smooth start promotes a better swing path. Mistake to avoid: Pulling the club straight back inside on the start of your backswing. This forces you to come over the top on the downswing, creating an out-to-in path.
4. Maintain clubface awareness through the swing. What to look for: The clubface should be square to your swing path at impact. It shouldn’t feel noticeably closed. The goal is to have the face pointing where you want the ball to go, relative to your swing path. Mistake to avoid: Trying to “flip” your hands aggressively through impact to close the clubface. This leads to inconsistency and often causes hooks or pulls.
5. Swing on plane. What to look for: Your downswing should feel like it’s coming from the inside, approaching the ball from the “correct” side. This means your club is moving along the intended swing arc. Mistake to avoid: Swinging down steeply from the outside. This is the classic slice move, but if your clubface is closed at that moment, you’ll pull the ball.
6. Practice with purpose. What to look for: Consistent repetition of these corrected feels. Start with half swings and gradually build up to full swings. Focus on making the changes feel natural. Mistake to avoid: Just mindlessly hitting balls without thinking about the adjustments you’re trying to make. You need to actively work on the changes, focusing on one or two things at a time.
Understanding What is a Pull in Golf and How to Correct It
A pulled golf shot is one of the more frustrating misses for many players. It’s not just about the ball starting left; it’s about the underlying mechanics that cause it. Identifying and correcting what is a pull in golf requires a systematic approach, starting with your fundamentals and moving through your swing. Many golfers struggle with this because they focus only on the impact zone, neglecting the setup and backswing that set the stage for the entire shot.
The primary reasons for a pull shot are typically a combination of two things: an out-to-in swing path and a closed clubface at impact. Let’s break down how these happen and how to fix them.
The Out-to-In Swing Path
This is when your club swings from outside the target line to inside through the impact zone. It’s like cutting across the ball. Several setup issues can lead to this:
- Alignment: As mentioned, aiming your body left of the target is a prime suspect. If your body is already aimed left, your natural swing will follow that line.
- Takeaway: Yanking the club inside too quickly forces you to re-route the club on the downswing, often leading to an over-the-top, out-to-in motion.
- Lack of Body Rotation: If you’re too armsy and don’t rotate your body properly, you’ll struggle to deliver the club from the inside.
The Closed Clubface
This means the clubface is aimed left of the target line (for a right-handed golfer) at the moment of impact. This can happen for a few reasons:
- Grip: A weak grip (too many knuckles showing, “V” pointing too far right) makes it difficult to keep the face square. You might unconsciously try to “help” it square, which can lead to it closing too much.
- Hand Action: Trying to “flip” your hands at the ball to generate speed can cause the clubface to rotate shut prematurely.
- Timing: Even with a good setup, incorrect sequencing in the downswing can lead to the face closing too early.
Fixing the Pull: A Deeper Dive
Correcting a pull shot isn’t just about one quick fix. It’s about understanding the interplay of your grip, alignment, and swing path. When you address what is a pull in golf, you’re looking at the entire motion.
Grip Adjustments: If your grip is too weak, strengthening it is crucial. This means rotating your hands slightly clockwise (for a righty) so you see more knuckles on your lead hand and the “V” points more towards your trail shoulder. This provides more control over the clubface. However, don’t overdo it; a grip that’s too strong can lead to hooks. It’s about finding that neutral position.
Alignment Drills: Use alignment sticks religiously. One pointing at the target, the other parallel for your feet. Check your shoulders and hips too. Make sure they are parallel to the target line. Sometimes, golfers will aim their clubface at the target but their body left, creating that out-to-in path.
Swing Path Feel: To encourage an in-to-out path, focus on a smooth, controlled takeaway. Feel like the clubhead stays in front of your hands for a moment before moving back. In the downswing, try to feel like you’re dropping the club from the inside, brushing the grass from right to left (for a righty). This is a subtle feeling, and video analysis can be a great help here.
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Clubface Control: This comes from a combination of your grip and your body’s rotation. Instead of trying to “flip” your wrists, focus on rotating your torso and hips through the shot. This natural body rotation will help square the clubface without you having to consciously manipulate it.
Common Mistakes in Correcting a Pull Shot
Don’t fall into these traps. They’ll keep you pulling shots and frustrated.
- Grip too weak — Causes the clubface to close on the downswing if you try to square it up late, or makes it hard to keep square at all. — Strengthen your grip by rotating your hands slightly away from the target (more knuckles visible). Aim for that neutral position where the “V” points towards your right shoulder.
- Poor alignment — Leads to an out-to-in swing path because your body is aimed left of the target. — Use alignment sticks religiously and check your body, not just the clubface. Ensure your feet, hips, and shoulders are parallel to the target line.
- Rushing the takeaway — Initiates an inside path, forcing an over-the-top downswing and an out-to-in path. — Focus on a slow, controlled start to the backswing. Feel the clubhead move straight back or slightly outside before it starts to arc.
- Overcorrecting the grip — Turning your hands too far and creating a closed face from the start, which can lead to hooks or pulls if you then try to open it. — Aim for neutral. Subtle adjustments are key. If you go too strong, you’ll likely swing the opposite way.
- Ignoring the downswing plane — Even with a good setup, you can still come over the top and swing out-to-in. — Feel like you’re dropping the club from the inside on the downswing. Imagine the club swinging “underneath” the target line on its way to the ball.
- Trying to “muscle” the ball — Trying to hit harder often leads to poor mechanics and trying to “help” the clubface square, which is a recipe for disaster. — Focus on smooth tempo and good rotation. Speed comes from proper technique, not brute force.
- Not practicing with intent — Hitting balls without a specific goal or focus won’t help you break bad habits. — Dedicate practice sessions to working on one or two specific changes, like your grip or alignment.
FAQ
- What is the primary cause of a pull shot in golf?
The most common culprits are an out-to-in swing path and/or a closed clubface at impact. Often, these two issues are linked, with one causing the other.
- How does a closed clubface contribute to a pull?
If the clubface is closed relative to your swing path at impact, the ball will start in the direction the face is pointing. For a right-handed golfer, a closed face means the ball starts left of the target.
- Can a weak grip cause a pull shot?
Yes, a weak grip can absolutely contribute. If your hands are too far left (for a righty), it’s harder to keep the clubface square through impact. You might unconsciously try to “help” it square, which can lead to it closing too much and pulling the shot.
- Is a pull shot always a sign of a slice?
Not necessarily. While both can be caused by an out-to-in swing path, a slice occurs with an open clubface, while a pull occurs with a closed clubface (relative to the path). You can pull a shot with a square face if your swing path is severely out-to-in, but it’s more common to have a closed face with an out-to-in path.
- How can I tell if I’m swinging out-to-in?
Look at your divots. If they consistently point left of your target, that’s a strong indicator of an out-to-in path. You might also notice that you consistently hit the inside-back quadrant of the ball. Video analysis is a great tool for confirming this.
- What’s the difference between a pull and a hook?
A pull starts left of the target and typically stays relatively straight or curves slightly back towards the target. A hook starts left of the target and curves sharply further left. A pull is usually due to path or a slightly closed face, while a hook is caused by a significantly closed clubface at impact.
- Can I fix a pull shot by just aiming left?
No, this is a common misconception and a bad habit. Aiming left will only encourage an out-to-in swing path and won’t address the root cause of the closed clubface or the swing path issue. You need to fix the mechanics, not just the aim.
Sources:
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.