Hooking Irons?

[Dashfast]

I’ve noticed that if I set up open and try to consciously swing to the left as I come through, my ball flight is much improved (ie not hooky). Is this an acceptable fix? Or is it a compensation for an underlying issue? My natural ball flight with a driver is a left to right fade, so I don’t really understand why my irons are so dang hooky. I play i210s and I assume that offset isn’t a factor. I don’t have a current swing video, but can probably provide within the next week or so. Thanks!

[GAGolfer1]

Well club face is going to determine your start line of the ball and the path is going to determine ball flight. For me, I can be too in to out which results in over draws if I start it on line or a pull hook if I come from the inside and prematurely close the face

[Pepperturbo]

As I understand new Golf Ball Flight Laws, there are 2 factors that establish direction and the flight path of the ball; one is swing path, other club face angle. IMO the direction of the club face at impact directs the ball. In other words, closed to your swing path at impact, ball goes left. Also, consider iron shaft profile. I am not an expert though. My 2cents.

[Pepperturbo]

On a DB there is NO way to determine exactly the cause. Hooks happen for a limited number of reasons, namly club face angle followed by improper swing mechanics, even hand behavior, such as hands rolling over too early. My buddy who's a pro plays X100 shafts. He was hooking the ball regularly until he built up his grips with 12 wraps. Didn't eliminate the hook but slowed his hands down from releasing quickly and gave him more of a baby draw.

[N0rs3man]

Aiming to the left gives you a steeper backswing. What's happening is you are lines up to your target and seing in bg inside out. You are aiming at the flag and since your are swinging out to the right tour brain automatically tried to roll the face closed to get the ball where u want. You will have some nice draws right to the target but if you setup just a hair too far to the right you bring the dreaded hook into play. Try to setup 20 yards left of tour target. This should bring your swing plane up a touch and keep tour hands from rolling over.

Setup feet 20 yards left, but aim to flag

[chipa]

When I first started playing golf opening the stance was the preferred way to hit a fade. Naturally one swings left and the other thing is the weight stays back a little. I believe this is what Bobby Jones taught.

How do people hit fades nowadays (I just got back into golf)??

[Pepperturbo]

Apprently the OP isn't troubled by his driver, like his irons. The only reason I included my buddy was to show "a" solution that can affect certain people, including better golfers. The OP lists himself as a 10 handicap, I qualify that as better than. Your list of 1000s is more for a beginner or 20 something, not what we'd see tied to a 10 handicap.

[Pepperturbo]

@chipa Worth reading about "NEW" Ball Flight laws.
For the longest time I understood ball flight using old beliefs. Though, for the most part, it worked for me, new laws provide a better understanding.
New Golf Ball Flight Laws - Illustrated Guide | Free Online Golf Tips

[chipa]

Honestly that stuff's been around for a long time probably at least a hundred years I don't know why they say its new.

I didn't read everything, but a lot of the stuff about approach angle, etc is old. Maybe they are referring to the new balls that spin less off the driver, yes they would fly differently than off the irons because of the less spin. Still I see tour players hitting draws and fades with them so it must be a reduced effect.

[chipa]

When I am swinging well I find it very hard to hit a fade. I expect it has to do with my strong grip but also swinging from on open stance is difficult for me because I have a problem getting everything connected - probably due to flexibility issues.

[Pepperturbo]

I agree, it's been around since my relative played on the PGA tour in the 50's. IMO - in an attempt to redefine flight laws the call them new laws, but all they really did was made them more complex. Maybe I pay more attention this go-around.

Played yesterday and made some fine iron shots, couple of baby draws and fades, but mostly straight. I struggle controlling the ball with an open stance. Almost closed with lead left foot extending out making it appear as though my body is aiming right works the best for me. With driver slightly open stance helps a baby fade, but opening the face angle makes it easy. Hitting a baby draw with driver is more challenging. Both trajectories are relatively easy with my 620 irons.

Not sure if it was TV camera angle but during yesterdays PGA round, players off tees appeared to be aiming right of target too. Go figure.

[chipa]

I wish I had your game and your swing, haha.

I have back flexibility issues and the fact that I have to train in the gym makes it worse, but if I don't do that I can't play. I really believe a closed hip stance helps with the turn so the hands stay connected. I normally can't make that happen with a fade not unless I'm really loose, but I am trying to limit my swing, in fact I am playing with "Hogan's" immovable right leg.

BTW, can you recommend a mid to high flying iron shaft, the cheaper the better? I was thinking of going to 115 grams too, I am 55 after all. I play X100's because other shafts feel so loose at impact which affects my really handsy release, however they hit the ball too low. I am changing to a blade type club with very little offset as well. TIA.

[Pepperturbo]

Wish I could help with shafts. Unfortunately, "mid-high flying iron shaft" hasn't been part of my testing regime, opting for low-mid trajectory with stiff butt and tips. Late last year, to cope with Osteoarthritis throughout my body I went from playing 120g PX 6.0 steel (2006-2019) to Steelfiber "S" i110cw in irons. Been testing i95g for my 2iron and i125 in short irons, but I am going back to i110g in PW-7i MB.

 

[Dashfast]

I found the solution, but it’s a bit idiosyncratic. I rotate the club face open in my backswing and rotate it closed in my follow through. Not sure what it accomplishes, but keeping the club face closed in my backswing promotes a hook.

[hoselpalooza]

@Dashfast, have you been fitted for your clubs?

[Dashfast]

@hoselpalooza Yes.