How To Shape Shots??

Sometimes you will find yourself in a situation where you need to shape the ball right to left or left to right. These shots are extremely crucial when you're coming out of trouble from behind trees or you're simply mis-hitting your shots in one direction and need to learn how to hit the other direction in order to neutralise. Shaping your shot that turns left or right is actually quite simple, however controlling the amount of turn takes correct application and practice.

First of a all when attempting a 'hook' shot to the left, the best way is to aim your body to the right but have your clubface still pointing straight. All you want to feel now is that you're swinging more around the body, specifically along your feet line. If you swing around the body and continue on into the strike, you will most likely hook the ball. If you find it's not turning left, just relax your arms and hands more and feel the clubface also releasing (turning) left to ensure you 'hook'.

Now when attempting a 'slice' shot we just want to do the opposite to the set-up of a 'hook'. Simply aim your body left while the clubface is aiming straight and feel as though you're swinging steeper. Again more specifically if you follow your feet line, you will see the club getting steeper. As long as you follow your feet line right up until the strike, the clubhead will enter on the other side of the ball and most likely generate a 'slice'. If not you could just feel the clubhead staying a little more open through impact.

Now in terms of controlling how much turn, it really depends on how much you practice. If you are someone who practices a lot, you could actually feel these shots to work out the amount of turn you would need in the clubhead to control where the ball starts and finishes. The more specific way in which I'd recommend to those new to trying to control the turn, is simply have the clubface aim at where you would like the ball to finish and the body at where you'd like the ball to start. All you do then is swing along your feet line.

If you'd like any further help in trying to turn the clubface, just contact myself at David Waters Golf located at Emerald Lakes Golf Coaching Centre.