How to Stop Pulling Golf Shots to the Left

Pulling golf shots to the left is a common problem that many golfers face. This happens when the golfer hits the ball with a closed clubface, causing the ball to spin to the left. However, with a few adjustments to your swing and stance, you can correct this problem and start hitting straighter shots. Here are some tips on how to stop pulling golf shots to the left:

1. Check your grip: The first thing to check is your grip on the club. If your grip is too strong, meaning your left hand is rotated too far to the right, it can cause the clubface to close at impact, leading to a pull. Try adjusting your grip so that your left hand is more neutral.
2. Check your alignment: Your alignment is crucial when it comes to hitting straight shots. Make sure your feet, hips, and shoulders are aligned parallel to the target line. If you’re aimed to the left, it can cause you to pull your shots.
3. Adjust your stance: If you’re pulling your shots, it could be because your stance is too closed. Try opening up your stance slightly, so your feet and hips are slightly aimed to the right of the target.
4. Focus on your swing path: The swing path is the direction the clubhead is traveling during your swing. If you’re pulling your shots, it’s likely that your swing path is too far to the left. Try to swing the club more from the inside, so the clubhead is traveling more towards your body on the downswing.
5. Practice with alignment sticks: Alignment sticks can be helpful for improving your alignment and swing path. Place two sticks on the ground, one aimed at the target and the other parallel to your feet. Use the sticks to ensure your alignment is correct and to practice swinging the club on the correct path.
6. Get feedback: If you’re still struggling with pulling your shots, consider getting feedback from a golf instructor. They can help identify any flaws in your swing and give you specific drills to work on.
7. Check your ball position: The position of the ball in your stance can also affect the direction of your shots. If the ball is too far forward in your stance, it can cause you to swing too much from the inside, resulting in a pull. Conversely, if the ball is too far back in your stance, it can cause you to swing too much from the outside, leading to a slice. Experiment with different ball positions to find what works best for you.
8. Slow down your swing: Sometimes, pulling shots can be caused by swinging too quickly or aggressively. Focus on making a smooth, controlled swing, with a gradual acceleration through impact. This can help you maintain proper swing path and avoid pulling your shots.
9. Relax your grip: A tight grip on the club can cause tension in your arms and hands, leading to a closed clubface at impact. Try to relax your grip and let the club do the work. This can help you maintain proper wrist hinge and avoid pulling your shots.
10. Use a training aid: There are many training aids available that can help you correct a pull. For example, a swing plane trainer can help you maintain the correct swing path, while a weighted club can help you develop a smoother, more controlled swing.

 

Common Causes of Pulling Golf Shots to the Left

Cause	Description	Effect on Swing	Clubface Impact	Ball Flight
Poor Alignment	Body and feet improperly aligned to the target	Inside-out swing path	Closed at impact	Pull to the left
Overactive Hands	Excessive use of hands during downswing	Early release	Closed clubface	Leftward curve
Inadequate Weight Shift	Insufficient transfer of weight from back foot to front foot	Hanging back	Closed clubface	Leftward trajectory
Over-rotation of Hips	Hips rotate too early in the downswing	Inside-out swing path	Closed clubface	Leftward ball flight
Incorrect Grip	Weak or overly strong grip pressure	Limiting wrist hinge	Closed or open clubface	Pull or hook to the left

Drills to Improve Alignment and Posture

Drill Name	Objective	Steps	Benefits
Alignment Stick Drill	Improve alignment	1. Place a stick parallel to target line 2. Align feet to the stick	Proper alignment
Feet-Together Drill	Develop balance	1. Hit balls with feet together 2. Gradually widen stance	Better balance and weight transfer
Posture Check	Maintain proper posture	1. Check posture in a mirror 2. Adjust and practice	Consistent posture
Wall Drill	Correct spine angle	1. Stand against a wall 2. Swing while maintaining wall contact	Proper spine angle
Knee Flex Drill	Establish proper knee flex	1. Assume golf stance 2. Adjust knee flex to a comfortable position	Improved stability

Drills to Improve Swing Path and Clubface Control

Drill Name	Objective	Steps	Benefits
Baseball Swing Drill	Correct swing path	1. Swing club like a baseball bat 2. Gradually lower to ground	Proper swing path
Towel Drill	Maintain clubface squareness	1. Place towel under arms 2. Swing without dropping the towel	Square clubface
Impact Bag Drill	Solid impact position	1. Hit an impact bag with club 2. Analyze and adjust positions	Solid impact, square clubface
One-Arm Swing Drill	Develop feel and control	1. Swing club with only one hand 2. Practice with both hands	Better feel and control
Split-Hand Grip Drill	Improve release	1. Grip club with split hands 2. Swing and focus on release	Proper release and clubface square

Drills to Enhance Weight Shift and Rotation

Drill Name	Objective	Steps	Benefits
Step Drill	Improve weight transfer	1. Start with feet together 2. Step forward with lead foot	Better weight transfer
Swing Trigger Drill	Develop proper hip rotation	1. Add a small forward press to trigger swing 2. Focus on rotation	Improved hip rotation
Happy Gilmore Drill	Enhance weight shift	1. Mimic Happy Gilmore’s running approach 2. Focus on weight shift	Better weight shift and balance
Hip Bump Drill	Encourage proper hip slide	1. Start downswing with a slight hip bump 2. Rotate hips fully	Proper hip slide and rotation
Toe Tap Drill	Improve weight distribution	1. Tap toe during backswing 2. Shift weight to front foot	Balanced weight distribution

Drills to Improve Grip and Hand Position

Drill Name	Objective	Steps	Benefits
Grip Pressure Check	Ensure proper grip pressure	1. Check grip pressure 2. Adjust for comfortable, secure grip	Consistent grip pressure
Glove Under Arm Drill	Maintain connection	1. Place a glove under trail arm 2. Swing without dropping glove	Proper connection, better release
Pencil Drill	Develop proper grip	1. Hold pencil in fingers 2. Mimic golf grip with pencil in place	Improved grip and hand position
Hinge and Hold Drill	Improve wrist hinge	1. Practice hinge in backswing 2. Hold hinge position briefly	Proper wrist hinge and clubface control
Two Tee Drill	Monitor grip pressure	1. Place tees between fingers and grip 2. Swing without dropping tees	Maintain proper grip pressure

Remember, correcting a pull takes practice and patience. Keep working on your swing and focus on maintaining proper alignment, swing path, and ball position. With time and effort, you can overcome your tendency to pull your shots and start hitting more accurate shots down the fairway.