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How to Fix a Pull and a Push Shot in Golf
There are many reasons why you hit a pull or a push shot. One of those reasons is the position of your hands at address.
The position of your hands or your grip at address could influence the swing path and the angle of your shaft at address and cause a pull or a push.
What are a Pull and a Push?
Before we start talking about the position of your hands, let's start with the definition of a pull and a push.
Pull
A pull shot is the shot that starts left of your target and continues to fly left. The ball usually flies straight to the left.
If the ball starts left and curves even more to the left, that is a hook or duck hook if the ball curves quickly to the left. This shot is different from a pull.
A pull shot is closely related with a slice. So a player who hits a pull often hits a slice as well.
Push
A push shot is the shot that starts right of your target and continues to fly right. The ball goes straight to the right.
A push shot is different from a slice although both shots will fly right of your target. A push is closely related with a hook.
So a player who hits a push often hits a hook as well.
What can influence the Clubhead Path?
Now, let's talk about the position of your hands at address. The clubhead path can determine how your shot will fly.
A pull shot is often caused by outside-in swing path. A push shot is often caused by inside-out swing path.
One of the things that can influence your swing path is the position of your hands or your grip at address.
For your normal shots, I like to see your hands toward the inside of your left thigh.
Fixing a Pull
But if your hands are in front of your zipper, that's too far back and is likely to cause outside-in swing. So you will likely to hit either a pull or pull-slice.
If your hands are too far back like this, your shaft will lean toward the opposite direction of your target and could cause outside-in clubhead path.
Fixing a Push
If your hands are too far forward, your shaft will lean too much toward the target. This could cause inside-out swing path and a push shot.
To fix this, you might want to make sure that your hands are toward the inside of your left thigh.
Also, the ball position can influence the angle of your shaft at address. If the ball is too far back at address, it can cause a push shot. If it's too far forward, you are likely to swing outside-in.
For more information about the ball position, please see Ball Position.