Instruction
Fix your hook with the “bucket drill”
The great majority of articles on how to fix a ball flight are based around what? People who slice the ball. It’s justifiable. Stats are thrown around that say about 90 percent of golfers slice the ball.
But what about the other 10 percent? That’s still a lot of people. This article, as is evident in the title, is geared toward those who struggle with the opposite of the other 90 percent of golfers. They struggle with a hook!
Generally speaking, a hook is a “good” problem. Many of the pieces that eventually lead to the hook are conducive to solid contact and distance.
First, let’s make sure we are on the same page with that a hook actually is. We will define a hook as a shot that curves excessively to the left from where it starts. There are three categories of a hook:
N0. 1 — The push-hook: The ball starts to the right of the target and curves too far left.
No. 2 — The straight hook: The ball starts straight at the target and then curves too far left.
No. 3 — The pull-hook: The ball starts to the left of the target and curves even farther left.
See the common denominator here? Too much curve to the left. So, why does it happen and how do we fix it?
Why it happens
There are really two main components as to why the ball hooks. Either your path (the direction you swing the club) is too far to the right, or your club face is too “closed” to your path. That means the club face is pointed too far to the left relative to the direction you swing the club. So if you are swinging the club too far to the right, your club face is pointed some amount to the left of that.
How to fix it
So we have two options in terms of what we can attack. We can work on your path to make sure you aren’t swinging too far to the right, or we can work to make sure your club face isn’t pointed as far to the left of your path.
I would HIGHLY suggest fixing No. 1 (path) first. Just about every time you correct the direction you are swinging the club, the club face will eventually take care of itself.
I suggest using the “bucket drill” to fix this problem. I first saw this drill being used by my former coach, Paul Viola, who coaches out of Bethlehem, Penn. Odds are, if you were to walk up and down our range, you would see multiple people with this in action.
The drill is pretty simple. It is designed to ensure that you do not swing too far to the right or “in-to-out.” The bucket is positioned as such that it does’t allow you to do it.
The beauty of this is that when you go to practice, you will always get something from the range that holds the balls. The training aid is always included. You don’t have to use a bucket or basket for this. You could also use a range ball bag if they use that or even a towel that is folded on the inside of the ball.
The positioning of the bucket is key. From the face on view, the front edge of the bucket is in line with the middle of the back foot.
From the down-the-line view, the bucket is placed just below the shaft line.
If you are someone who struggles with a hook, there is going to be a huge difference here with that you “feel” and what is “real.” When you put the bucket there, it will most likely feel like you are swinging “over the top,” or way from the outside. But you know that you are not since you positioned the bucket yourself. That is the key.
Take this “feel” that you get with the bucket and start to transfer that to practice without the bucket. This is what you need to “feel” for now while you are practicing and playing until you train it into a habit!
I would suggest starting with the bucket slightly closer to your feet so it is a bit easier until you get used to it.
Once you get a bit better, make it a bit tougher and put the basket slightly farther from your foot so it is just barely below the shaft plane.
Typically, when we start someone with this drill, we also make sure the ball position is slightly more forward and definitely not back!
See how the ball position is more forward here, in line with the logo of his shirt. This is what we are looking for.
This ball position is more in line with his shirt buttons. This position is fine for a normal situation, but too far back for the drill.
If you hit a few slight pulls to start (that aren’t curving) that is fine. If you do this drill and the ball is still curving too much to the left, which is unlikely, you need to look at reason No. 2 above: the club face angle.
There are certainly lots of other ways to go about fixing a hook, but this is by far the best one I have come across.
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
Best fairway woods of 2026: The most versatile fairway woods + the most forgiving fairway woods
Gary Woodland’s winning WITB: 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
The 24 players who can win the Masters
Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB: 2026 Masters
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
J.J. Spaun’s winning WITB: 2026 Valero Texas Open
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Driver: Ping G440 Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft:...
WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2021 Truist Championship
Rory McIlroy’s victory at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship 2021 (now the Truist Championship) marked a significant return to form,...
Collin Morikawa WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Tour (14 degrees) Shaft:...
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
-
Equipment1 week agoWhat’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
-
Equipment2 weeks agoCadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
-
Whats in the Bag3 days ago
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
-
Whats in the Bag1 week agoCameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoNelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
-
Tour Photo Galleries2 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 Cadillac Championship
Alex Perez
Nov 28, 2018 at 6:37 am
Hi Eric, I’m having problems with straight hook in my short irons, Wedges,9,8, but no issues with 7-down. How can fix it? Thank you.
leftright
May 28, 2014 at 10:17 am
This is a great article, especially for lower handicappers who are fighting a hook. It works for me as my biggest problem in golf since I started playing fairly well has been “laying it off” or taking it too much to the inside. Perhaps this is why I can hit low draws/hooks with the best of them but prefer high straight balls. Look at the PGA tour, I bet on any given weekend you will see half a dozen guys practice swing taking that club back more outside before hitting their shot.
Eric, I consider this the best article for me in WRX in a long while, thanks.
Pingback: Fix your hook with the “bucket drill” - I'd Rather Be Golfing
marcel
May 25, 2014 at 9:29 pm
there is only one way how to fix it – get yourself AAA+ coach in your area and stop watching/reading quick fixes that are not for your specific fault…
as my old man coach told me once – “i love this instructions from magazines – they helping my business to flourish as they confuse everyone to come back to me for more lessons”
Break80
May 25, 2014 at 9:23 am
I fix #1 by calling it a draw.
perisho
May 24, 2014 at 10:12 am
A concept that helps me more than anything is ball position. Grab a 7 iron and put the ball a few inches OUTSIDE your left foot – way forward. You have to come around the get it. You never dump it inside or you won’t get to the ball.
Eric Cogorno
May 24, 2014 at 4:04 pm
Yup, that one works great!
perisho
May 24, 2014 at 10:10 am
great drill but then I just pound the bucket down the driving range for an hour.
Eric Cogorno
May 24, 2014 at 4:05 pm
That’s motivation to not hit the bucket 🙂
Josh
May 24, 2014 at 7:25 am
The pull hook is an OTT move with a shut face is it not?? This drill would only make it worse.
Eric Cogorno
May 24, 2014 at 4:07 pm
So, we will define a pull hook as a shot that starts left and curves left.
That’s a clubface thats pointing some amount left of the target at impact and a path some amount to the right of the face. It’s a face-to-path issue. Chicken or the egg thing usually.
The pull hooks aren’t coming from swing “over the top”, though.
Josh
May 25, 2014 at 6:40 am
I agree with the club face/path point, but the pull hook has always been an OTT move for me, confirmed by launch monitors. Regardless, no drill can be considered a bad one in golf as it gets the golfer experimenting to fix issues. Even if its some crazy Martin Hall drill with pool noodles, balanced one one foot and an egg under your armpit.
Thank you for the article Eric and the simple drill for us to try at the range.
paul
May 24, 2014 at 1:15 am
“its all in the take away”… Take the club to the outside = fade/slice. Take the club inside is usually straight or a draw. To get a feel for it is just like putting, push the club back with the left hand, and then switch at the top to pushing through with the right. Easiest way to think of it. I have been playing the best golf of my life since I figured how to take the club back that way.
paul
May 24, 2014 at 1:19 am
If I am wrong about the pushing concept please let me know. I would love to chat about it with a knowledgeable instructor.
perisho
May 24, 2014 at 10:04 am
No. It’s not that simple. The pull hook simply means the face angle is seriously closed to the swing path – whatever the path may be.
Typically the prime offender is “inside-out”
Eric Cogorno
May 24, 2014 at 4:08 pm
For some, it can be as easy as that feel. For others, it isn’t. All depends!
nikkyd
May 24, 2014 at 6:23 pm
I never thought of it that way! I like it
nikkyd
May 23, 2014 at 4:49 pm
Rntolent, ill have to give that a try. Its just scary when opening up left when you you already Hit a nasty hook out of nowhere
nikkyd
May 23, 2014 at 4:50 pm
And im a forum idiot, wow
Ken
May 24, 2014 at 4:28 am
I play with an open stance and it works well
I am a bit confused about this drill.. I am sure this will help fix the in to out path but I don’t like a drill that requires you to hit balls with improper ball position. Your asking for more swing band aids or slight adjustments to hit the ball that may find it’s way in your swing
Eric Cogorno
May 24, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Open stance can really help, agreed!
nikkyd
May 23, 2014 at 2:12 pm
I find that my release or closing action of the club face causes me to hook too much. I find it nearly impossible now to hit a fade or slice after teaching myself how to release the club for power. Maybe i need to use a kung fu grip with my leading hand and possibly hit a power -push fade ala nicklaus
rntolent
May 23, 2014 at 4:00 pm
Have you tried just opening your stance? I hit draws (and hooks sometimes) but when I absolutely need the ball to stay straight or leak right, I open up a bit. It still lets me release and as long as I don’t hang back, its fading (instead of duck hooking). I wouldn’t caveman grip it, you may tear a muscle!
Eric Cogorno
May 24, 2014 at 4:11 pm
Opening the stance can really help with someone who has a tendency to have a path excessively to the right. I do that in my own swing…Bubba Golf!