Many amateur golfers believe that a hook is any shot that curves sharply to the left (for the right-handed golfer), but that is not really the case.

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However, a hook must start right of your intended target before curving back left to finish well left of target. If your ball starts left or straight and then curves further and further left, that’s called a ‘pull-hook’.

What might be an appropriate swing change for someone that pull-hooks the ball might be irrelevant for someone that generally hits hook shots.

A pull is a ball flight that starts left of target and stays in a straight line to the left (no curve on the ball).

And a draw by the way is not just a less severe hook. To be classed as a draw the ball must land on target (where a draw always finishes left of target).

Before you follow any of the lessons below, it’s well worth acquainting yourself with the correct ball flight terminology (Right-Handed Golfer).

Pull-Hook (purple line)

Definition Ball starts left of target and curves further left of target.

What It Tells You Club face is closed at impact (pointing left relative to swing path). Your swing path may also be out-to-in but may also be straight or even in-to-out. Look at where your divots are pointing to determine your swing path.

Hook (yellow line)

Definition Ball starts right of target and curves back left to finish left of target.

What It Tells You Swing path is in-to-out (not necessarily a bad thing) and the club face is closed at impact (pointing left relative to swing path).

Pull (navy blue line)

Definition Ball starts and finishes left of target but stays straight in its flight (no curve).

What It Tells You Swing path is out-to-in and the club face is square to the swing path.

Fade (green line)

Definition Ball starts left of target and curves back right to finish on target.

What It Tells You As with a slice, the swing path is out-to-in and the club face is open at impact (pointing right relative to swing path). However, unlike a slice the ball must finish on the target line (not right of it) to be classed as a fade.

On Target (dotted line)

Definition Ball starts straight and stays straight in its flight to finish on target.

What It Tells You Your swing path is straight down the target line and your club face is square to the swing path (and target line in this case).

Draw (red line)

Definition Ball starts right of target and curves back left to finish on target.

What It Tells You As with a hook, the swing path is in-to-outand the club face is closed at impact (pointing left relative to swing path). However, unlike a hook the ball must finish on the target line (not left of it) to be classed as a draw.

Push (light blue line)

Definition Ball starts and finishes right of target but stays straight in its flight (no curve)

What It Tells You Swing path is in-to-out and the club face is square to the swing path.

Slice (pink line)

Definition Ball starts left of target and curves back right to finish right of target.

What It Tells You Swing path is out-to-in and the club face is open at impact (pointing right relative to swing path).

Push-Slice (orange line)

Definition Ball starts right of target and curves further right of target.

What It Tells You Club face is open at impact (pointing right relative to swing path). Your swing path may also be in-to-out but may also be straight or even out-to-in. Look at where your divots are pointing to determine your swing path.