Why do I block golf shots?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 06, 2026
Blocks occur when you slide too hard with your lower body on the downswing (above). The club drops behind you and swings too much from the inside. You have too much lateral motion and not enough turn through the shot.
What does blocking a golf shot mean?
For a right-handed golfer a block is a shot that flies straight right of the target with no curve. When a shot is hit off-line with no curve that typically means that the club face is square to the path the club is swinging on.
How do I stop pushing my golf shots to the left?
The best way to fix a push is to make the opposite move: Don't use your lower body as much, and swing your arms past your chest through impact (above, right). First, set up in a closed stance, which makes it harder for your lower body to rotate open. Then, focus on letting your arms extend and release past you.
Why are my iron shots going right?
The shot (for right-handers) typically goes right because the face off the club is open, resulting in a push-slice. Some players manage to flip their wrists at contact, resulting in a big hook. Getting stuck can be prevented by eliminating a couple of excess movements in your swing.
Why am I pushing my driver to the right?
What is this? In effect, the path the club takes must match the direction of the clubface at impact. And because the ball shoots right of the target, it most likely means the clubface was open at impact, that it was aiming right of the target.
45 related questions foundWhy are my driver shots going right?
Ultimately, if you're missing your ball to the right, it's because your clubface is open. If your ball is starting to the right with less of the banana curve, your path could be moving too far to the right, too.
What causes a block slice?
A slice is a result of a swing path through impact that is moving from outside to in, or from right to left as viewed from behind the golfer. This action of the club 'cutting across' the ball imparts a left to right spin on the ball, which quickly causes the ball to turn to the right when it gets up into the air.
How do I stop slicing?
Strengthening your grip by rotating your lead hand clockwise (so you can see more knuckles) will prevent you being able to open the face so much on the downswing. And it will also promote a closed (or closing) face. Sometimes that's all it takes to fix a slice.
Can standing too close to the golf ball cause a slice?
Standing too close to the ball causes a loss of posture, reduction in arm extension, loss of balance, loss of speed, toe hits, slices, low hooks and a change in swing path. Always check you setup first when you start hitting errant shots.
Why do I keep slicing my irons?
The most common cause of a slice is an outside-in swing path. This means that through the initial part of your downswing, your club is outside the line of the ball (or further away from you than it should be).
Why do my golf balls always go right?
If your clubface is facing to the right of the target at impact, your ball will start to the right. The path of the club in relation to the clubface will determine the spin. If your golf ball curves from left to right, the path of your club is moving more left than where your clubface is pointing.
Why do I slice with my driver but not my irons?
Honestly, it all comes down to one simple concept: You can't use the exact same swing for both your irons and your driver. Those two types of clubs are designed differently, with different shaft lengths and different lofts. They are made to achieve different goals.
How do seniors hit longer drives?
10 tricks to boost your driving distance as you get older
- Use your hands and wrists. ...
- Close your stance. ...
- Turn early. ...
- Turn your hips, too. ...
- Make the club lighter on your backswing. ...
- Lighter clubs. ...
- Use more loft. ...
- Proper ball position.
Why do I hit my 3 wood farther than my driver?
Players who hit their 3- or 5-wood as far or longer than their driver are typically using too little loft with the driver for their clubhead speed. You know, it's a funny thing with the driver and its loft compared to the other clubs in the bag.
Does a stiff shaft help a slice?
If your golf shaft is too stiff and your swing speed is too slow, your well-struck shot will be limited on both carry distance and shot trajectory; a too-stiff golf shaft will most often lead to weak fades or slices.
Does driver loft affect slice?
Driver loft to reduce a slice
More loft equals more backspin, this backspin creates a more stable flight and minimises any negative effects of side-spin. Some golfers may argue that a 12-degree driver will lose them too much distance.
How do you curve a golf ball?
Aim the clubface at the target, then arrange your stance and your other body lines to the right. Swing where your body is aimed, and the ball will start right and curve to the left. What I really like about this method is, you get most of it done at address.
What is the proper golf grip?
How do you place your hands on a golf club? In simplest terms, you should have your 'lead' hand on the top of the golf club and your trail hand just underneath it. The grip should run down your fingers and palm in your lead hand, and the palm of your trail hand should sit just on top of it.
Where should the golf ball hit the club face?
To hit a golf ball on the sweet spot, it's vital to maintain a proper stance to ensure a proper swing, and thus, contact with the sweet spot. Grip the club, making sure to keep the clubface square (the bottom of the face should be perpendicular to your target line).
Should you stand tall in the golf swing?
Standing tall makes it easy to turn through the shots and easy to turn in the backswing – it suits a lot of golfers. Jason Day and Rory McIlroy have very athletic postures because they work out a lot and this helps them really stand over the ball, but this type of posture might not be for everyone.
Why am I topping the ball with my irons?
Typically, a ball is topped because the club has not gone far enough down towards the ball or you catch the ball on the way up, instead of at the bottom point. A lot of things can cause this to happen: A club that's too short. An awkward stance.
How far should golf ball be from address?
(For shorter clubs, the ball should stay in line with the logo, but the stance should be narrower, making the ball more centered relative to the body.) As for distance from the ball, the butt of the grip at address should be about six inches from your body.
What happens when you stand too close to the golf ball?
When you are standing too close to the ball, you will swing with a plane that is too upright. This can tend to cause more of a slice or even shanks. Getting the club on a good plane will help you start striking the ball much more nicely. You will hit the ball straighter and further with less effort.