Driver Issue - Closed Clubface - Hooks

[e-dog9]

is this an equipment issue?

My swing flaw is to hit hooks, I've never ever had a consistent problem with slices. Fortunately, my hook is not too severe. Sometimes I just play it, other times I try to straighten it out.

However, the one club where this really dogs me is the driver! I’m not sure if it’s a swing problem from trying to manage such a long club, a mental issue, or if it’s the equipment.

Recently I’ve been dwelling on the equipment and wondered if anyone could let me know their thoughts. I play a TM R7 460. The clubface is closed a few degrees, could this be encouraging or exacerbating my hooks and turning a slightly exaggerated draw into a rough seeking tree finding bomb? By way of comparison, my when I hook my 3 wood off the tee it is maybe 15 yards to the right of the target and its not always that bad, while the driver goes about 30 or 35 yards to the right all the time.


Could the equipment be the issue?

[bradski]

equipment can exagerate the problem. the quickest fix would be in the gripping of the club. if you can either weaken your grip or open the clubface. that will not fix the swing but reduce the draw.

[jaskanski]

An overly flexible shaft could possibly exaggerate a hook - but your first port of call should be with a pro to check your swing.

[teejaywhy]

... when I hook my 3 wood off the tee it is maybe 15 yards to the right of the target and its not always that bad, while the driver goes about 30 or 35 yards to the right all the time...

 

I'd say... you must be LEFT-HANDED! :rolleyes:

 

It would seem that a closed face would not be helpful for someone that already hits a hook. You can try to open the clubface a little or look for a different driver.

[heisagoalie]

get someone to look at your swing. In the meantime, you may be flipping your wrists, or too flat of a swing (too much like a baseball swing). Try applying a little more pressure in the last 3 fingers of your left hand to hold off your release a little longer, or swing more upright.

[KMeloney]

I can put a bad swing on my slightly-open TM Burner TP and hit a big hook. That's my main miss, too. Whereas a closed face driver may make things worse, a square-to-open driver probably isn't going to help.

 

Hanging back on your back foot, getting handsy, having the ball too far back in the stance -- those things tend to promote hooks more than the club, I'd say.

 

I know it's probably not the answer you're looking for (especially if you're looking for a reason to get a new driver), but I'd bet it's your swing and not the club.

 

/< / /2 /<

[e-dog9]

... when I hook my 3 wood off the tee it is maybe 15 yards to the right of the target and its not always that bad, while the driver goes about 30 or 35 yards to the right all the time...

 

I'd say... you must be LEFT-HANDED! :rolleyes:

 

It would seem that a closed face would not be helpful for someone that already hits a hook. You can try to open the clubface a little or look for a different driver.

 

 

LOL. I can't believe I did that. Note to self: Learn the difference between left and right! Should have said 15 yards to the left!

[bad putt]

I had the same problem with an R7 425. Hook city.

 

Sold it on flee bay and bought a square driver. Problem solved, never looked back.

 

I just could not align myself up correctly with the R7.

[MAK2525]

A closed club face will definitely encourage and influence a hook swing. A Driver will always impart more sidespin causing a more pronounced draw / hook than a 3 wood because of the lower loft and longer shaft, much like a long iron vs. a mid iron.

 

A square to open club face will help to control the hook. As was suggested, get someone to watch you to determine the cause of your ball flight and work on this, but I'd consider a new driver as well.

[scotte]

I suffer the same problem you do, i went and bought a 3 degree open driver, the hibore xl tour. guess what, I still hook it, just not as bad as I used too.

[GenErr]

What degree loft driver are you using? I found that using a driver with more loft helped me a lot. I battle a hook as well, and went from a 580XD with 10.5 degrees (great driver) to a TM Burner HT. I get a LOT more height, relatively the same distance, but am finding more fairways. I think the HT model is 13.5 degrees.

[mantan]

IMHO, hooking and slicing are both swing flaws that only be very slightly masked or reduced by driver face angles.

 

I agree with many of the comments above that you're $$$ and time would be better spent finding the root cause of the hooking. I've been there and done that. Equipment made little or no difference compared to the swing changes.

[e-dog9]

.....comments above that you're $$$ and time would be better spent finding the root cause of the hooking..... Equipment made little or no difference....

 

Thanks all for the advice. I'm not much of a club hoe, and when I get the urge, which I was starting too, I force myself to play or hit balls.

 

SO I went to the range last night to work on my driver. Realized that my tempo was all screwed up and that I was SERIOUSLY rushing things at impact. After I relaxed, and slowed it down some, I was hitting some real nice high bombs.

 

Lets see if I can repeat it during my next round!

 

 

 

"Swing, Set, Through!" LOL

[gochargers5]

Try TP version. TP is 1-2 degree open. Also, try to make your driver more fade by adjusting TM weight.