Paul, this is really a great video on how to stop pulling; I have pulled the ball periodically during rounds for maybe 5 years; I am still practicing the hip turn coupled with the slight tilt, but, the progress is noticeable…..and I know I am on the right track.
Chris, Glad you liked it. The pull is easy to fix. A way to remember it is the word pull. If you are pulling you are pulling the club down with your arms. So turn them off and start the lower body first.
Earlier in your lesions I would align left of target, 40 yards with a driver and 20 yards with a 4 iron etc, and hit pretty straight on the target line. But recently my drives and irons are to the left side of the fair way or green and I find my self aligning at the target. Does this indicate that I’m pulling over the top? Also, I recently started having bouts of shanking with my wedges and now wounded if I’m also sliding rather than uncoiling. Also, I now don’t feel my rear knee touch my front leg. Thanks. Jim
Thank you great tip. I have been having this problem of pulling my shots. I wasn’t sure why. I will take to the range as the drill seems very helpful. This tip is very timely. I was getting frustrated because of the pulled.
As you noted when I use my trigger correctly this does not happen.
As I continue to use your method I have come to realize the importance of checking our positions. When I have problems on the course this gets my game back on track. The home stretch tip was especially helful.
Paul I was reading Roys comment above (I am pulling the ball also) Roy mentioned when he used his trigger correctly that helped cure his pull. I recently have been seeing my club head (peripheral) at the top and using that to trigger turning my right hip and pushing off my right instep. Do you see a problem using the club head at the top for a trigger?
Thanks!
Well if you see the clubhead your backswing is too long. If you do this as a drill then I am fine with it.If you have been hitting you have been move the arms before the body so whatever switches you to body first then arms I am fine with. Just be careful that you are not going back too far.
Paul, Is it possible I am tilting OK, but ‘pulling in my arms’ as it were to cause the pull? Reason I ask is my last couple outings I am just crushing my drives and I know I am tilted behind the ball. Does the arm extension also affect? Seems to me, and I am playing all weekend so will have much time to practice, that when I don’t achieve the full extension 3 feet past the ball I get the pull, which I equate to engaging my arms and pulling toward my body (my old habit before ignition golf), closes the clubface at impact. Pretty much never hit the ball to the right, is either down the line or this pull. Been playing great lately, though in spite of some of these. Around the greens been up and down like crazy (like 70% or better!)
Keep those ‘tweak’ reminders coming. That are all great!
Pulling is you hitting. If you feel like you are tilting and you are still pulling it would think you are tilting at the very top as soon as you start the transition. This sends it over the top so unless you slide or over tilt you will still pull it. Go to the top and hold it. Then tilt coming down.
No getting full extension would the the arms contracting. To do so you must have used them. Arms = pull. Stop trying to kill it. Hit the fairway should be the thought.
Paul, you really are a genius. I’ve never seen an instructor be able to distill every important point in a swing to palpable, simple checkpoints that are EASY to follow for those of us with a “visual” mind. I’ve spent way too much $$$ on other online stuff, and stumbled upon your methods about 2 months ago, and…wow. Just thank you. Thank you.
Thanks. I just comes from no one being able to answer my questions. It needs to be simple. I made it confusing for many years and it got me nowhere. Once I made it simple I got it.
Hi Paul
I can’t stop pulling my driver at the mo!
Been following your swing for two years now so not using my arms?… could i be over using the touching the leg position/ over rotating? to cause a pull?
Thanks Craig
You could find tips on pulling in the dahsboard under CURES > PULL or PULL HOOK. Also, I have recently posted a few more tips on curing pulling and understanding how to get the club on plane with powerless arms.
Hi Paul,
I have been working very hard to stop using my hands and arms and have been pretty successful, (have even started fading the ball when I used to hook everything) but when I pick up a sand wedge or gap wedge, I go back to pulling. What are your thoughts on why I would pull wedges but nothing else?
Thanks, David
You pull wedges because they don’t require a huge leg drive. I have a whole section called pulled wedges in my first book Swing Machine Golf. On IG I do show all pitch shots (below). You need to really focus on turning your belt buckle before the arms come down.
I have 2 products. My original product is Swing Machine Golf. Last summer I release a new product (similar) called The Body Swing. Not sure I if I mention pulled wedges in The Body Swing but for sure I do in Swing Machine Golf in the Faults and Fixes section.
Just let us know if you are interested and we will send you a discount code.
Yes, you would be hitting it fat because the arc doesn’t have enough room to clear. This dipping would have too much weight on the back foot at contact. If you feel the heel coming off the ground through impact the weight would be shifting which stops you from dipping too much.
Makes sense. Im hitting it high on the face with woods and often very deep divots. Will focus on keeping my chin up more and lift the back heel (I do this at impact but still too much of a Squat move i guess).
Deep divots you would need check that your setup is taller. Just don’t clearly see your toes. Simple. Coil and uncoil with the shoulder plane more level. I keep saying this because I saw your swing but you have to be close. I liked what I saw.
Hopefully, you are not trying to purposely squat in the downswing. This is not what is happening in the swing. I did a tip on it but I can’t find it. Think about it. If you are facing the camera there is a gap in your knees. As you coil back this gap would narrow because it is turning away from the camera. Then as you uncoil this gap would appear to widen again as you now facing back to the camera. Then it would narrow to the touch the legs position. So you are not squatting or trying to squat. You are turning circular by coiling and uncoiling.
I think Im close. And my setup is pretty tall, can maybe go a bit taller. But the problem is that my head gets too low in the downswing. I will focus on what you said, plus maybe keeping the chin up more and not seeing the toes clearly in the downswing either?
I think you are right when you said I need to both coil and uncoil with the shoulder plane more level. Im probably to steep with my right shoulder in the downswing 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Paul. Could a cure for the pulled shots be to think about seperating the lower from the upper more? I.e only move the lower and let the rest follow?
Im good at firing my lower but my upper also turn at the same time i guess
It sure can. This is the firing of the lower body. If you are pulling you are pulling the club down with arms. If you separate the lower you are moving the axis (body) before the mass which will flatten the plane.
Paul, I think there is another reason to pull the ball, or hit it left. I do not come over the top, but still hit the ball left. The reason, I believe, is because I stop turning through with my upper body, and my arms come around and hit the ball left. Am I wrong about this?
Paul. Should I be consciously controlling my right elbow from the top of the back swing down to my right side during the down swing (after my hips start turning of course)? Thanks.
You can if you want. It should be folding due to not hitting with the arms and starting the body first in the downswing but some people have to help it along.
OK. I know you are not going to agree with me on this, but I naturally pull and hook the ball, but I do not come over the top. What I feel I have to do is delay the release, or delay something, not sure, but it is as if you were trying to make your normal swing, but push the ball to the right. It feel like I have to hit it late. I am not a slicer, and have never been. Maybe my hips are spinning out too soon?Not sure.
If you try to hold on your are manipulating the clubface. If so, you will never be consistent.
If you know for a fact you are squarely aligned and the ball is starting left and hooking left the only other way you can do this if you are not coming over the top is to have the face shut at through impact. If so, this would be a grip problem. Either way you definitely have a grip problem if you have hook spin and you are not trying to hook it.
So you need to check your alignment first. Make sure you put down and alignment sitck perfectly. Once you do work on your grip. I guarantee that with the neutral grip you will not be able to hook it more than 5 yards with a iron and that’s if you really roll it over early. You’ll see.
Another thought on this. Sometimes we use a thought to get to the right swing, and then find out it is actually something else that is happening. I was pullling shots left, and my fix was to feel like I was swinging “late” to delay the arms coming through. Now I am realizing that this thought turned off the pulling down of the left arm, which, as you said in the first post, causes a pull. pull and pull. have to remember that! You are right as usual, but it takes a while to get there.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
36 Responses to “How To Stop Pulling Your Shots”
September 23, 2012
chrisrasmussenPaul, this is really a great video on how to stop pulling; I have pulled the ball periodically during rounds for maybe 5 years; I am still practicing the hip turn coupled with the slight tilt, but, the progress is noticeable…..and I know I am on the right track.
I am pretty excited!
Best regards,
Chris Rasmussen
September 24, 2012
Paul WilsonChris, Glad you liked it. The pull is easy to fix. A way to remember it is the word pull. If you are pulling you are pulling the club down with your arms. So turn them off and start the lower body first.
Did you see this tip too:
Pull 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-pulling
November 3, 2014
JamesChapleauEarlier in your lesions I would align left of target, 40 yards with a driver and 20 yards with a 4 iron etc, and hit pretty straight on the target line. But recently my drives and irons are to the left side of the fair way or green and I find my self aligning at the target. Does this indicate that I’m pulling over the top? Also, I recently started having bouts of shanking with my wedges and now wounded if I’m also sliding rather than uncoiling. Also, I now don’t feel my rear knee touch my front leg. Thanks. Jim
November 4, 2014
Paul WilsonJames,
Not sure why you are aiming that far left. Seems like a lot.
If you are aimed at the target and hitting the target you are pulling it. You need to watch a bunch of my alignment tips:
Alignment: https://ignitiongolf.com/golf-alignment
How To Put Down an Alignment Stick Properly: https://ignitiongolf.com/alignment-stick-placement/
Change Clubs Change Alignment: https://ignitiongolf.com/change-clubs-change-alignment/
How To Get Perfect Alignment On the Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/perfect-alignment-on-course/
November 4, 2014
Paul WilsonJames,
If you are shanking you are hitting. This would also go hand in hand with you pulling it.
Check your alignment.
Loosen your wrists and get it hooking. Then add lower bod to straighten it out.
You can do watch this shank fix too:
How To Cure the Shanks: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-shanks/
August 29, 2015
RoyThank you great tip. I have been having this problem of pulling my shots. I wasn’t sure why. I will take to the range as the drill seems very helpful. This tip is very timely. I was getting frustrated because of the pulled.
As you noted when I use my trigger correctly this does not happen.
As I continue to use your method I have come to realize the importance of checking our positions. When I have problems on the course this gets my game back on track. The home stretch tip was especially helful.
Thx. For helping us enjoy the game of golf
Roy
August 30, 2015
Paul WilsonRoy,
Glad you liked it and the other tips. I appreciate the feedback.
Just keep working on the positions and in this case manually tilt then turn later.
Watch:
Remember Series – Tilt and Turn: https://ignitiongolf.com/remember-series-tilt-turn/
Remember Series – Tilt and Lift: https://ignitiongolf.com/remember-tilt-lift/
Remember Series – Tilt and Roll: https://ignitiongolf.com/remember-tilt-roll/
May 13, 2018
MarkShomPaul I was reading Roys comment above (I am pulling the ball also) Roy mentioned when he used his trigger correctly that helped cure his pull. I recently have been seeing my club head (peripheral) at the top and using that to trigger turning my right hip and pushing off my right instep. Do you see a problem using the club head at the top for a trigger?
Thanks!
May 14, 2018
Paul WilsonMark,
Well if you see the clubhead your backswing is too long. If you do this as a drill then I am fine with it.If you have been hitting you have been move the arms before the body so whatever switches you to body first then arms I am fine with. Just be careful that you are not going back too far.
August 29, 2015
KimBozikPaul, Is it possible I am tilting OK, but ‘pulling in my arms’ as it were to cause the pull? Reason I ask is my last couple outings I am just crushing my drives and I know I am tilted behind the ball. Does the arm extension also affect? Seems to me, and I am playing all weekend so will have much time to practice, that when I don’t achieve the full extension 3 feet past the ball I get the pull, which I equate to engaging my arms and pulling toward my body (my old habit before ignition golf), closes the clubface at impact. Pretty much never hit the ball to the right, is either down the line or this pull. Been playing great lately, though in spite of some of these. Around the greens been up and down like crazy (like 70% or better!)
Keep those ‘tweak’ reminders coming. That are all great!
Kim
August 30, 2015
Paul WilsonKim,
Pulling is you hitting. If you feel like you are tilting and you are still pulling it would think you are tilting at the very top as soon as you start the transition. This sends it over the top so unless you slide or over tilt you will still pull it. Go to the top and hold it. Then tilt coming down.
No getting full extension would the the arms contracting. To do so you must have used them. Arms = pull. Stop trying to kill it. Hit the fairway should be the thought.
August 29, 2015
jasonLockridgePaul, you really are a genius. I’ve never seen an instructor be able to distill every important point in a swing to palpable, simple checkpoints that are EASY to follow for those of us with a “visual” mind. I’ve spent way too much $$$ on other online stuff, and stumbled upon your methods about 2 months ago, and…wow. Just thank you. Thank you.
August 30, 2015
Paul WilsonJason,
Thanks. I just comes from no one being able to answer my questions. It needs to be simple. I made it confusing for many years and it got me nowhere. Once I made it simple I got it.
Glad you like the site. I appreciate it.
August 30, 2015
DonaldMcLeodHow to stop fayding the ball to the right with driver
August 30, 2015
Paul WilsonDon,
I have tons of tips on this in the DASHBOARD under SLICE
Also,
Follow these 2 tips carefully:
Cure Your Slice – Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4vz9q0wff0
Cure Your Slice – Part 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/cs2/
September 27, 2015
CraigDraperHi Paul
I can’t stop pulling my driver at the mo!
Been following your swing for two years now so not using my arms?… could i be over using the touching the leg position/ over rotating? to cause a pull?
Thanks Craig
September 29, 2015
Paul WilsonCraig,
You could find tips on pulling in the dahsboard under CURES > PULL or PULL HOOK. Also, I have recently posted a few more tips on curing pulling and understanding how to get the club on plane with powerless arms.
Watch:
Pull: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-pulled-shot
Pull 2 (expanding on it): https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-pulling
Stop Coming Over the Top: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-stop-over-the-top/
Body Tilt – Left Right: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-pulling
Cures – Manually Tilt To Stop Pulling: https://ignitiongolf.com/manually-tilt-cure-pull/
Remembering How Cure Pulled Shots: https://ignitiongolf.com/remembering-cure-pulled-shots/
2 Things Flatten the Plane: https://ignitiongolf.com/2-things-flatten-plane/
January 11, 2017
DavidButlerHi Paul,
I have been working very hard to stop using my hands and arms and have been pretty successful, (have even started fading the ball when I used to hook everything) but when I pick up a sand wedge or gap wedge, I go back to pulling. What are your thoughts on why I would pull wedges but nothing else?
Thanks, David
January 12, 2017
Paul WilsonDavid,
You pull wedges because they don’t require a huge leg drive. I have a whole section called pulled wedges in my first book Swing Machine Golf. On IG I do show all pitch shots (below). You need to really focus on turning your belt buckle before the arms come down.
Short Game – Long Pitch Shot: https://ignitiongolf.com/long-pitch/
Short Game – Medium Pitch Shot: https://ignitiongolf.com/medium-pitch/
Short Game – Short Pitch Shot: https://ignitiongolf.com/short-pitch/
How to Hit a Short Pitch Shot: https://ignitiongolf.com/short-pitch-shot/
If your body move first, the arms would follow thus flattening the plane. You need to keep your arms turned off though.
Also, watch this to understand what flattens the plane:
2 Things Flatten the Plane: https://ignitiongolf.com/2-things-flatten-plane/
Apply this thought to pitching understanding you are not hitting pitch shots with a huge leg drive.
January 15, 2017
DavidButlerMakes sense. Think I need to read your book, as this has been a problem for too long.
Good stuff, Thank You!
January 15, 2017
Paul WilsonDavid,
Glad you see it.
I have 2 products. My original product is Swing Machine Golf. Last summer I release a new product (similar) called The Body Swing. Not sure I if I mention pulled wedges in The Body Swing but for sure I do in Swing Machine Golf in the Faults and Fixes section.
Just let us know if you are interested and we will send you a discount code.
October 12, 2017
StianOttersenHi Paul. What is possibly the outcome if I am dipping down too much in my downswing? Fat, high on the face, etc?
October 15, 2017
Paul WilsonStian,
Yes, you would be hitting it fat because the arc doesn’t have enough room to clear. This dipping would have too much weight on the back foot at contact. If you feel the heel coming off the ground through impact the weight would be shifting which stops you from dipping too much.
October 18, 2017
StianOttersenMakes sense. Im hitting it high on the face with woods and often very deep divots. Will focus on keeping my chin up more and lift the back heel (I do this at impact but still too much of a Squat move i guess).
Thanks.
October 18, 2017
Paul WilsonStian,
Deep divots you would need check that your setup is taller. Just don’t clearly see your toes. Simple. Coil and uncoil with the shoulder plane more level. I keep saying this because I saw your swing but you have to be close. I liked what I saw.
Hopefully, you are not trying to purposely squat in the downswing. This is not what is happening in the swing. I did a tip on it but I can’t find it. Think about it. If you are facing the camera there is a gap in your knees. As you coil back this gap would narrow because it is turning away from the camera. Then as you uncoil this gap would appear to widen again as you now facing back to the camera. Then it would narrow to the touch the legs position. So you are not squatting or trying to squat. You are turning circular by coiling and uncoiling.
October 26, 2017
StianOttersenI think Im close. And my setup is pretty tall, can maybe go a bit taller. But the problem is that my head gets too low in the downswing. I will focus on what you said, plus maybe keeping the chin up more and not seeing the toes clearly in the downswing either?
October 26, 2017
Paul WilsonStian,
You will see the toes as you hit the ball. This is because your head tilts down to look at the ball.
How The Head Moves Down and Past Impact: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-head/
October 28, 2017
StianOttersenI think you are right when you said I need to both coil and uncoil with the shoulder plane more level. Im probably to steep with my right shoulder in the downswing 🙂
Thanks!
November 29, 2017
StianOttersenHi Paul. Could a cure for the pulled shots be to think about seperating the lower from the upper more? I.e only move the lower and let the rest follow?
Im good at firing my lower but my upper also turn at the same time i guess
November 30, 2017
Paul WilsonStian,
It sure can. This is the firing of the lower body. If you are pulling you are pulling the club down with arms. If you separate the lower you are moving the axis (body) before the mass which will flatten the plane.
2 Things Flatten the Plane: https://ignitiongolf.com/2-things-flatten-plane/
May 12, 2019
mikeschickPaul, I think there is another reason to pull the ball, or hit it left. I do not come over the top, but still hit the ball left. The reason, I believe, is because I stop turning through with my upper body, and my arms come around and hit the ball left. Am I wrong about this?
July 15, 2019
TonyMaidaPaul. Should I be consciously controlling my right elbow from the top of the back swing down to my right side during the down swing (after my hips start turning of course)? Thanks.
July 20, 2019
Paul WilsonTony,
You can if you want. It should be folding due to not hitting with the arms and starting the body first in the downswing but some people have to help it along.
TOP – Back Elbow Position At The Top (grapefruit): https://ignitiongolf.com/back-elbow-position-top/
COMING DOWN – Right Elbow: https://ignitiongolf.com/downswing-right-elbow/
August 22, 2019
mikeschickOK. I know you are not going to agree with me on this, but I naturally pull and hook the ball, but I do not come over the top. What I feel I have to do is delay the release, or delay something, not sure, but it is as if you were trying to make your normal swing, but push the ball to the right. It feel like I have to hit it late. I am not a slicer, and have never been. Maybe my hips are spinning out too soon?Not sure.
September 1, 2019
Paul WilsonMike,
If you try to hold on your are manipulating the clubface. If so, you will never be consistent.
If you know for a fact you are squarely aligned and the ball is starting left and hooking left the only other way you can do this if you are not coming over the top is to have the face shut at through impact. If so, this would be a grip problem. Either way you definitely have a grip problem if you have hook spin and you are not trying to hook it.
So you need to check your alignment first. Make sure you put down and alignment sitck perfectly. Once you do work on your grip. I guarantee that with the neutral grip you will not be able to hook it more than 5 yards with a iron and that’s if you really roll it over early. You’ll see.
How To Put Down an Alignment Stick Properly: https://ignitiongolf.com/alignment-stick-placement/
Change Clubs Change Alignment: https://ignitiongolf.com/change-clubs-change-alignment/
Grip:
Grip – Top Hand Placement: https://ignitiongolf.com/grip-top-hand-placement/
GRIP – Bottom Hand Placement: https://ignitiongolf.com/grip-bottom-hand-placement/
Trigger Finger – Question Mark: https://ignitiongolf.com/trigger-finger-question-mark/
August 24, 2019
mikeschickAnother thought on this. Sometimes we use a thought to get to the right swing, and then find out it is actually something else that is happening. I was pullling shots left, and my fix was to feel like I was swinging “late” to delay the arms coming through. Now I am realizing that this thought turned off the pulling down of the left arm, which, as you said in the first post, causes a pull. pull and pull. have to remember that! You are right as usual, but it takes a while to get there.