BODY, CLUB MUST BE IN SYNC.

Byline: Mark Taylor Special to the Daily News

There are many misconceptions relating to the flight of a hooking or slicing ball. Most players know what a hook or slice is when they see it. The problem is correcting the hitting errors.

Slicing is more common. The first thing I do in each lesson is briefly interview the student to find out their ball flight and ask them how they are trying to correct the error. This is where the student's misconceptions become evident.

I often hear a slice is caused because the golfer isn't getting through the golf shot. In fact, it is the complete opposite. Slicing is caused by the body leading the club head, which in turn leaves the club face open. A slicer should try to delay their body and let their arms rotate and lead the downswing.

A couple of good practice drills include the split-hand drill (hitting balls with your hands separated on the club) and keeping your back to the target as long as possible, letting your club lead the body through the swing.

Golfers hit hooks for the opposite reason. Their hands and arms lead their bodies during the swing. Most golfers who hook the ball are afraid to let their bodies release on the downswing. They think the ball will hook more. In fact, the opposite is true. The players should let their bodies pivot on the downswing, which in turn will prevent the hands and arms from overworking and keep the club face more open during impact.

A good drill to fix a hook is to let the lower body initiate the downswing from the ground up. Start with the feet, then the knees and then the hips.