What Is a Pull Shot?
A pull shot is a golf shot that starts left of the target and continues straight left, without curving significantly in the air. For a right-handed golfer, the ball finishes left because both the clubface and swing path are aimed left at impact. For a left-handed golfer, the directions are reversed.
The key point is that a pull is not a slice or a hook. It does not have noticeable side spin. It simply starts left and stays on that line.
The Impact Conditions That Cause a Pull
A pull shot is created when the club is traveling on an out-to-in swing path through impact, with the clubface pointing left of the target.
At impact, two things are happening:
-
The club path is moving left of the target
The clubhead is traveling across the ball from outside the target line to inside the target line. -
The clubface is also pointing left of the target
Because the face is aimed left, the ball starts left.
However, the important detail is this: the clubface is square to the swing path. When the face is at right angles to the path, the ball does not curve much. That is why a pull shot flies straight left instead of slicing or hooking.
Why the Ball Does Not Curve
Ball curve is largely created by the difference between the clubface angle and the club path.
With a pull shot:
- The path is left of target.
- The face is left of target.
- The face is square to the path.
Because the face and path match, there is very little side spin. The ball simply launches in the direction the clubface is pointing: left of the target.
The Ideal Impact Condition
To stop pulling the golf ball, your goal is to deliver the club with:
- A more neutral club path through impact
- A clubface that is square to the target
- A clubface that is also square to the path
When the path is neutral and the face is square, the ball can start on line and fly straighter toward the target.
Quick Check
If your shots are starting left and staying straight, remember:
A pull shot happens when the club path is working left through the ball, and the clubface is also pointing left, but square to that path.
Understanding this impact condition is the first step toward correcting the pull and producing straighter, more accurate golf shots.
