What Is a Push Hook in Golf?

A push hook is a golf shot that starts to the right of the target and then curves excessively to the left with hook spin.

For a right-handed golfer, the ball flight looks like this:

1. The ball launches right of the intended target line.
2. It curves hard back to the left.
3. It often finishes well left of the target, sometimes in trees, rough, or other trouble.

For left-handed golfers, the directions are reversed: the shot starts left of the target and curves hard to the right.

What a Push Hook Tells You

A push hook usually means the clubface and swing path are not matching up correctly at impact.

In general:

• The ball starts right because the clubface is pointed right of the target at impact.
• The ball hooks left because the clubface is closed relative to the swing path.
• The result is a shot with too much right-to-left curve.

Why a Push Hook Is a Problem

A push hook can be especially damaging because it combines two misses:

• The ball starts away from the target.
• Then it curves even farther offline.

Instead of a gentle draw, the ball may dive left sharply and finish in serious trouble.

How to Recognize a Push Hook

You are likely hitting a push hook if:

• Your ball starts right of your target line.
• It curves aggressively left in the air.
• The shot finishes well left of where you intended.
• The curve is stronger than a controlled draw.

Key Takeaway

A push hook is not simply a hook. It is a shot that starts right and then hooks left. Understanding the starting direction and curve helps you identify the shot pattern and begin working on the correct fix.