| While there is only one type of swing in golf, there | | | | to the point of almost coming back to the one who |
| are three variations of golf shots: Right curving, | | | | hit it. |
| high-flying shots that inevitably turn into slices; | | | | A more severe form of slicing is known as |
| Low-flying shots that curve to the left causing a | | | | "shanking," in which the ball is hit on the heel of the |
| hook; and the perfect straight shot, which is neither | | | | club and shoots off wildly to the right. Learn how to |
| too high nor too low, and always manages to stay | | | | properly perform a slice so that it can be used to |
| right in the middle of the fairway. | | | | your advantage. First, play the ball slightly ahead of |
| You may think a straight shot is all you'll ever need | | | | the left foot. Place the club so that the toe is slightly |
| to master the game. But, the ability to perform a | | | | turned in and the shaft is not tilted forward, but |
| hook or slice at will gives you an edge over other | | | | rather, perpendicular. |
| players when you all stand there facing a fairway | | | | Learning a hook is just as easy. For this type of shot, |
| with a sharp dog-leg to the right. | | | | the club is positioned back towards the right foot - |
| What's the secret to intentionally shooting a slice or | | | | just as you'd do for a bad lie. The clubface, however, |
| hook? It's all dependent upon how you set the club | | | | is kept square to the ball, with the shaft tilting |
| before you begin the backswing. If the club is set in | | | | forward. Your right foot is drawn back to the right |
| an open position, then the ball will veer off to the | | | | of the intended line of the shot. |
| right. Closing the clubface will reverse the effect, and | | | | Sometimes, the lie of the ball will affect the body's |
| cause the ball to turn left in flight. Keeping the | | | | pivot, and result in a hook or a slice. If the ball lands |
| clubface square will result in a straight shot, down the | | | | on ground that is higher than the player, it results in a |
| middle of the fairway. | | | | hook. Likewise, a low ball position results in a slice. To |
| In order to master these techniques, you must first | | | | offset these tenancies, the player can adjust the aim |
| have a thorough understanding of each type of shot | | | | of their stance and play with an open or closed |
| and its effects on the ball itself. A slice almost acts | | | | clubface. |
| like a boomerang - flying high to the left and making | | | | How do you use the eight steps if you're a |
| a sharp turn to the right. | | | | left-handed player? Simple. You just reverse both of |
| Slices can be helpful when you have a fairway that | | | | the four step sections for positioning and swing. It's |
| curves to the right. However, people who slice each | | | | the same as if a right-handed player finds himself up |
| and every shot are faced with the dilemma of limiting | | | | against a tree or other fairway obstacle that |
| the distance they can achieve because the ball turns | | | | prevents him from taking a full right-handed swing. |