TODAY'S TOPIC: Hooks and Draws

You have to be very precise to hit a golf ball perfectly straight. Anyone who as read any decent Golf Tips can tell you that. But, as most golfers know, it’s easier hitting a draw or a fade than a straight shot. Yet, nobody wants to hook it or slice it. These shots only get you in trouble.

If you’re an inside-out swinger and you hit more hooks than straight shots or you’re an outside-in swinger and hit more slices straight shots, below is a simple drill that helps straighten out your iron shots:

Here's some simple Golf Instruction. Take a small trash bucket with you next time you go to the range. Use your 7-iron or your 6-iron and hit some shots with the trash bucket placed just inside the big toe of your back foot, with the longer sides parallel to the target line.

If you hit the bucket with your right knee, you’re committing a fundamental error that’s contributing to your hook or slice. Your back knee is moving out to the right of the target. It should be moving straight ahead or even slightly left of the target if you’re right-handed (right of the target, if your left-handed).

Moving the knee properly is key to hitting an iron straight. It allows you to roll the inside of your back foot. More importantly, it lets you shift your weight and spin your hips correctly, providing leverage. When your back knee moves out instead of straight ahead or slightly left, you lose leverage for the shot. Being stuck on the back leg also contributes to hooks and slices.

Next time you’re at the range, try the bucket drill. It will help you hit iron shots straight. Think about moving the back knee forward. Moving your knee forward instead of out will trash those hooks and slices.