by Jeff Mount

Created on: May 23, 2010

Using quick fixes in golf is a bit like using sandbags during a flood. They'll stop the problem for awhile, but eventually something more stable must be instilled. Sometimes though, if a golfer is having the same swing fault during a round (topping, slicing, etc.) they need to make an instant change in order to salvage their score. Here are some quick fixes for common problems on the course:

Slicing (ball curving to the right):

> Aim further left: This is the easiest fix because the golfer need not change their swing, however distance will still suffer and judging the amount of slice can be difficult. Also, setting up for a slice can make a ball slice more than the golfer intended.

> Take a stronger grip: Rotate the hands clockwise on the grip. The further clockwise they rotate, the more the clubhead will rotate through contact, closing the clubface and decreasing the likelihood of a slice. The danger in this one is that the duck-hook is often the result.

> Close the stance: Turn the entire body clockwise at set-up so that the right foot is further back than the left. This will encourage an 'inside the target line to outside the target line' swing path. Since most slicers have an 'over the top' move in their swing and tend to bring the club down on too steep of a plane, closing the stance will flatten it out.

Hooking (ball curving to the left):

> Aim further right: Again, easy fix because the golfer need not change their swing, but sometimes setting up to hit a draw can turn a shot into an ugly hook because too much side-spin is imparted on the ball.

> Take a weaker grip: Rotate the hands counter-clockwise on the grip so that the 'V's' are pointing more towards the chin than the right shoulder. The further they rotate this way, the less the clubhead will rotate through contact, preventing the face of the clubhead from closing and decreasing the likelihood of a hook. A golfer used to taking a strong grip may feel like they are losing control of the clubhead while doing this though, and they must be careful not to change their swing path lest a slice occur.

> Open the stance: Turn the entire body counter-clockwise at set-up so that the left foot is further back than the right and the body is more 'open' to the target. This will encourage an 'outside the target line to inside the target line' swing path (steeper back and down). A lot of folks who hook the ball excessively swing the club on too flat of a plane, and opening the stance will get

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