Golf Swing Path Drills to Eliminate Hooks and Slices Forever

Introduction

“golf swing path drills to eliminate hooks and slices forever” is a promise many golfers want, and it is achievable with the right diagnosis and a focused practice plan. Most hooks and slices are not random flaws but predictable outcomes of two variables: the club path and the clubface angle at impact. Small, repeatable changes to path and face produce big reductions in dispersion and shot-shape.

This article explains what creates hooks and slices, gives measurable targets, and delivers a progressive set of drills you can use on the range and at home. You will get exact setups, rep ranges, a realistic 8-week timeline, and low-cost and high-end tools for feedback. Follow the drills and checkpoints here and you will cut errant shots, lower your scoring average, and play more consistently from every tee box.

Golf Swing Path Drills to Eliminate Hooks and Slices Forever

What this section covers: specific drills you can use right away, how to set them up, what numbers to track, and how to progress. Each drill focuses on the swing path but also notes how to check clubface alignment so you do not fix one problem while creating another.

Why focus on path first: path is the directional movement of the clubhead through impact measured in degrees relative to target line. Clubface angle is the second critical variable. For a ball to fly straight, you generally want the clubface pointing square to the target and the path close to square.

Small deviations create side spin. As a rule of thumb, a path that is 3 to 5 degrees inside-out combined with a neutral face creates a controlled draw; a 3 to 5 degree outside-in path with an open face produces a slice. Keep target numbers in mind: aim for path within +/- 3 degrees of square and face within +/- 2 degrees for reliable straight shots.

Core drills and how to use them:

• Gate drill with alignment sticks: Place two alignment sticks or clubs to form a narrow gate just outside the ball, set 1.5 to 2 clubhead widths apart at address. Swing through the gate without touching the sticks. This enforces an in-to-square-to-out path for a draw or a neutral path for a straight shot. Reps: 5 sets of 12 swings, three sessions per week.
• Towel-under-arm drill: Hold a folded towel under your trail armpit (right armpit for right-handed golfers) and make three-quarter swings trying to keep the towel in place. This promotes turning the body and reduces over-the-top outside-in moves. Reps: 4 sets of 10, daily.
• Impact bag or soft bag drill: Hit an impact bag or large padded bag with short, aggressive swings focusing on compressing the bag slightly inside the target line, feeling the clubhead approach from inside. This builds the correct low-to-high sequence and path. Reps: 6 sets of 8, two sessions per week.
• Closed-stance drill for slices: Move the rear foot 2-3 inches back and close the stance 2-3 degrees. This encourages the body to turn through and reduces outside-in swing tendencies. Pair with impact bag or alignment sticks. Reps: 5 sets of 10, alternate sessions.
• Mirror or phone-video feedback: Record down-the-line swings in slow motion at 120 frames per second using a phone. Measure plane of the shaft at top and on the way down. Compare to a reference swing or use apps for frame-by-frame analysis. Reps: one video per practice session for review.

How to measure progress: Use either video analysis or a launch monitor. Key metrics to track are club path (degrees), face angle at impact (degrees), and carry dispersion (yards). Target weekly improvement goals: reduce path error by 1 degree per week and face error by 0.5 degrees per week.

Expect meaningful ball-flight changes by week 3 with consistent practice.

When to use each drill: Start with alignment stick gate and towel-under-arm for 2 weeks. Add impact bag and closed-stance drills in weeks 3-4. Move to full-swing integration and video/launch monitor feedback in weeks 5-8.

Repeat the cycle and scale reps down as the changes become automatic.

How Swing Path Creates Hooks and Slices

What is swing path: Swing path is the direction the clubhead is moving at the moment of impact relative to the target line. It is measured in degrees as inside-out (positive) or outside-in (negative). Clubface angle is the orientation of the clubface relative to the target line at impact.

Why path matters: Ball curvature is primarily dictated by the relationship between clubface angle and club path at impact. If the face is closed relative to the path, the ball will curve left for a right-handed golfer (hook). If the face is open relative to the path, the ball will curve right (slice).

The same path with different face angles produces opposite shot shapes.

Numbers that matter: Use these target ranges to guide your practice.

• Path within +/- 3 degrees of square: ideal for consistent straight shots.
• Face angle within +/- 2 degrees of square: helps minimize side spin.
• Face-to-path relationship: aim for face-to-path within +/- 5 degrees to avoid big curves.
• Side spin impact: 100 rpm of side spin can produce roughly 1 to 2 yards of lateral deviation on approach shots; on driver shots, side spin multiplies with ball speed and launch conditions and can produce 10-30 yards of offline carry in extreme cases.

Common path problems and the mechanics behind them:

• Outside-in path (over-the-top): Often caused by early shoulder raise, steep upper-body movement, or casting the club. The hands and arms dominate the downswing, cutting across the target line.
• Inside-out path (too far in): Can be caused by excessive hip clearance, late rotation, or flipping the hands. The result is a hook if the face is closed.
• Rotational mismatch: If lower body clears too quickly or upper body lags, the swing path gets skewed. A good sequence is hips lead, then torso, then arms, and finally the club.

How to test your diagnosis: Use a simple ball-flight test. Hit 10 shots with your normal grip and stance. If most shots start right and curve more right, you likely have an outside-in path with an open face.

If shots start left and curve more left, you likely have an inside-out path with a closed face. Confirm with video or launch monitor.

Drill selection based on diagnosis:

• Outside-in slice: prioritize towel-under-arm, closed-stance, and over-the-top correction drills (towel and gate).
• Inside-out hook: prioritize alignment sticks to stop overly inside takeaway, slow-motion down-the-line checks, and impact-bag focus to square the face.

Key Principles for Fixing Swing Path

Overview: Fixing path is not about forcing the hands; it is about aligning the body and sequencing the motion so the club naturally travels the desired line. Focus on setup, sequencing, and gradual rep-based learning.

Principle 1 - Setup and alignment: The brain learns what it sees at address. Use a consistent alignment routine before every practice rep and round.

• Aim the feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line.
• Place a club or alignment stick on the ground pointing at the target to calibrate.
• Ball position matters: for long clubs, place ball slightly forward; for irons, slightly back of center. Incorrect ball position will force compensations that change path.

Principle 2 - Proper sequencing: A correct kinetic sequence creates a neutral or slightly inside-out path without manipulating the arms.

• Sequence: lower body starts downswing (hip rotation toward the target), followed by torso rotation, then arms, then the clubhead.
• Practice a step drill: at the top, take a small forward step with the lead foot to initiate hip rotation, then swing. This trains the lower-body lead.

Principle 3 - Clubface control: Path without face control is incomplete. Use drills that isolate face orientation at impact.

• Use an impact bag or place a felt pad on the clubface to produce a distinct contact sound when square.
• Keep grip pressure steady; gripping too tightly makes face manipulation harder.

Principle 4 - Tempo and rhythm: Aggressive casting or rushing down into impact creates outside-in paths.

• Use a 3:1 tempo ratio: three units on the backswing to one unit on downswing feels too slow; instead practice a smoother 2:1 or 1.8:1 tempo that matches your natural motion.
• Metronome apps or simple cadence counts can help maintain tempo during reps.

How to apply these principles in practice: Combine drills that reinforce each principle in a single session.

• 10 minutes warm-up and alignment check.
• 15 minutes towel-under-arm for sequencing and tempo.
• 15 minutes gate drill to reinforce path and face control.
• 10 minutes impact bag work for impact feeling and face orientation.
• 10 minutes full swings with video and launch monitor feedback.

Progression: Start slow, increase speed and load only when you can hit 80% of reps without fault. Track metrics: percentage of strikes in target corridor, path degrees, and face degrees.

Step-By-Step Drills and Practice Plan

Overview: A progressive eight-week plan with daily and weekly targets, rep counts, and measurable checkpoints. The plan assumes practice three times per week for 45-60 minutes, plus one session on-course per week.

Week 1-2: Foundation and alignment

• Goals: Establish consistent address, alignment, and basic inside-out feel.
• Drills:
• Alignment stick gate: 5 sets of 12 swings. Keep a written log of contact with the sticks.
• Towel-under-arm: 4 sets of 10 swings to groove lower-body lead.
• Video: One 30-second down-the-line clip per session.
• Checkpoint: After 2 weeks, 70% of practice swings should pass through the gate without touching sticks.

Week 3-4: Path reinforcement and impact orientation

• Goals: Train impact location and clubface orientation.
• Drills:
• Impact bag: 6 sets of 8 hits focusing on compressing slightly inside target line.
• Closed-stance half-swings: 5 sets of 10 to reduce over-the-top.
• Mirror or slow-motion video: analyze wrist set and shaft plane.
• Checkpoint: Club path readings (if using a monitor) should show a 1 to 3 degree move toward desired path.

Week 5-6: Transition to full swings and controlled speed

• Goals: Integrate full speed swings while maintaining path and face control.
• Drills:
• Full-swing gate drill with wider gate for driver: 6 sets of 8 full swings.
• Step-drill to train lower-body initiation: 4 sets of 10.
• On-range simulation: Hit planned targets, track dispersion.
• Reps: Aim for 150 focused swings per week.
• Checkpoint: Reduce dispersion by at least 10 yards on average in the direction you were missing.

Week 7-8: On-course transfer and maintenance

• Goals: Transfer practice to course, manage pressure, and consolidate muscle memory.
• Drills:
• On-course targeted practice: play specific tee shots and measure results.
• Practice with full routine including pre-shot alignment and mental cue.
• Use launch monitor or app for final assessments.
• Checkpoint: Play two full rounds or 18-hole simulations; track fairways hit and score differential.

Rep guidance and progression numbers:

• Initial reps should be slow and controlled: 60-80% of speed.
• Increase velocity each week by 10% while maintaining 80% success rate.
• Weekly rep target: 150 to 300 deliberate swings depending on available time.

Checklist for every practice session:

• Warm-up: 5 to 10 minutes of dynamic stretching and 10 balls with wedges.
• Alignment check: use a stick or line on ground.
• One drill from each category: path, sequencing, face control.
• One full swing block with feedback (video or launch monitor).
• Log: record week, drill, reps, path and face data, and subjective feel.

When to seek professional help: If you do not see measurable improvement (1 degree path change or 5-10 yard dispersion reduction) after 4 weeks, book a lesson with a PGA Professional or certified instructor for a targeted swing diagnosis.

Tools and Resources

Practical tools speed learning by giving objective feedback. Here are specific products, their typical pricing, and why you would use them.

Launch monitors and ball-tracking

• SkyTrak (SkyTrak Launch Monitor): $1,995 purchase price; indoor/outdoor capable with subscription for simulation. Great for affordability and reliable path/face data for most amateurs.
• FlightScope Mevo Plus (FlightScope): $2,000 to $2,500 depending on dealer; portable radar with club and ball data. Useful for more detailed spin and path metrics.
• TrackMan (TrackMan): $15,000 to $20,000 or more; used by coaches and fitters for high-precision data. Best for serious players and coaches.
• Garmin Approach or Bushnell devices: $300 to $600; limited club data but useful for on-course tracking.

Video and swing analysis apps

• V1 Golf: Free basic version, premium subscriptions $9.99 to $19.99/month. Frame-by-frame analysis and telestration tools.
• Hudl Technique: Free basic, premium $9.99/month. Slow motion and side-by-side comparison.
• CoachNow: $9.99/month with lesson sharing and coach feedback features.

Wearables and sensors

• Arccos Caddie: $199 to $300 (sensors + subscription plans). Club-tracking and shot analytics for on-course patterns.
• Blast Motion Golf Sensor: $149 to $199. Good for swing tempo and sequencing feedback.
• Zepp Golf (discontinued hardware but older units available used): sensor-based swing analysis.

Range aids and simple gear

• Alignment sticks: $10 to $20 for a pair on Amazon. Essential for gate drills and alignment.
• Impact bag: $30 to $80, available from training companies and online retailers.
• Mirror or full-length golf swing mirror: $40 to $150. Useful for setup and visual feedback.

Coaching and lessons

• Local PGA Professional private lesson: $50 to $150 per 45-60 minute lesson in many US markets; high-profile coaches $200+.
• Online lesson platforms: Skillest, CoachNow offer lessons for $30 to $120 per lesson depending on coach.
• Group clinics: $25 to $75 per session, good for basics and affordability.

Comparison summary (quick view):

• Budget: Alignment sticks, towel, phone video, impact bag ($50 to $100 total).
• Mid-range: SkyTrak or Mevo Plus plus app subscriptions ($2,000 to $2,500).
• High-end: TrackMan and professional coach packages ($15,000+ plus lessons).

Availability: All devices and apps are available directly via manufacturer websites or large retailers such as Amazon, PGA Superstore, Golf Galaxy, and specialty fitting centers.

Common Mistakes

1. Focusing only on arms and hands

Trying to “fix” path by moving the hands or flipping the wrists will produce temporary changes and create face control problems. Avoid this by working on lower-body sequencing drills and impact bag work that emphasize body-led swing.

2. Ignoring clubface angle

Improving path without checking face angle can swing your shots from slice to hook. Always measure face angle with video or a launch monitor and include face-control drills.

3. Overtraining at full speed too soon

Muscle memory needs time. Doing 500 full-speed swings with a poor path cements the wrong motion. Progress from slow to full speed using the 80% success rule before increasing velocity.

4. Skipping alignment and ball position checks

Bad alignment creates compensations that masquerade as path issues. Use alignment sticks every session and write down your ball position for each club.

5. Relying solely on feel

“Feels” are useful but not always accurate. Use objective tools like video or a SkyTrak to confirm what your feel is producing.

How to avoid them: Use a practice log, get periodic objective feedback, and book a lesson at the 4-week mark to validate progress.

FAQ

Can Drills Really Eliminate Hooks and Slices Forever?

Drills can fix the motor patterns that cause hooks and slices, but “forever” depends on consistent maintenance. With regular practice and the right setup routine, most golfers can reduce or eliminate chronic hooks and slices for good.

How Long Will It Take to See Real Improvement?

Expect to see ball-flight changes in 2 to 4 weeks with focused practice, and reliable improvement in 6 to 8 weeks. Individual timelines vary based on practice frequency and how ingrained the fault is.

Do I Need a Launch Monitor to Get Better?

No, you do not need a launch monitor to make progress. Cheap tools like alignment sticks, impact bags, and phone video work well. A launch monitor speeds feedback and quantifies improvements faster.

Should I Change My Grip to Stop a Slice or Hook?

Grip changes can help but are often not the root cause. Check path and face first; if face is consistently open or closed despite correct path, a small grip adjustment may be the answer. Consult a coach before making big grip changes.

How Many Practice Swings per Week Should I Do?

Aim for 150 to 300 quality, deliberate swings per week focused on path and face control. Prioritize quality over raw quantity.

When Should I Get a Lesson From a Coach?

If you have not reduced your path error by about 1 degree or your dispersion by 5 to 10 yards after 4 weeks of focused work, book a lesson. A coach can diagnose sequencing issues or physical limitations.

Next Steps

1. Run the baseline test: On the range, hit 30 shots and record your typical ball flight and miss pattern. Take two down-the-line videos and note start lines, curves, and any consistent tendencies.

2. Start the 8-week plan: Follow the Week 1-2 drills and log every practice session. Use alignment sticks and the towel-under-arm drill for the first two weeks.

3. Invest in feedback tools: If you can, buy an alignment stick pair ($10-$20), an impact bag ($30-$80), and a basic video app like V1 Golf or Hudl Technique (free to start). Consider SkyTrak or Mevo Plus if you want quantified metrics.

4. Reassess and get coaching: After four weeks, compare your logged data to the checkpoints. If progress is stalled or inconsistent, schedule a lesson with a PGA Professional or upload video to an online coach for targeted fixes.

Checklist to take to the range

• Alignment sticks (pair)
• Towel for under-arm drill
• Impact bag or padded substitute
• Phone with slow-motion camera and app
• Notebook or practice log
• Launch monitor or app (optional)

Pricing summary for tools

• Low-cost setup: alignment sticks + towel + phone video = $10 to $30.
• Mid-range setup: add impact bag + V1 Golf subscription = $50 to $120.
• High-feedback setup: SkyTrak or Mevo Plus = $2,000 to $2,500 plus subscription fees.
• Coaching: local lesson $50 to $150 per hour; online lessons $30 to $120.

Practice timeline summary

• Week 1-2: alignment and sequencing drills, 3 sessions/week.
• Week 3-4: impact and path reinforcement, add launch monitor or video feedback.
• Week 5-6: full swing integration, 150-300 focused swings/week.
• Week 7-8: on-course transfer, two 18-hole tests or equivalent simulation.

Final actionable reminder: prioritize consistent measurement, log each session, and keep progression gradual. Implement the drills in the order given, track path and face numbers, and consult a coach if progress stalls.

Further Reading

• Golf Swing Path How to Hit Straighter Shots Every Time
• Golf Swing Drills 10 Proven Routines to Fix Your Slice Fast
• Golf Swing Analyzer Best Apps and Devices to Perfect Your
• Golf Swing Training Aids That Actually Work