A golf push happens when the ball starts on your target line but then curves to the right for a right-handed golfer (or to the left for a left-handed golfer). Stopping pushing golf shots is a top goal for many amateur players, as it ruins distance and accuracy. This article will give you clear steps to fix this common fault.
Deciphering the Golf Push: What Causes It?
The golf push is often misunderstood. Many players think it is purely a swing path issue. While path is key, the clubface angle at impact plays a huge role too. Why do I push my irons? The simple answer is usually an out-to-in swing path combined with an open clubface relative to that path. If the face is square to the target line but the path moves out-to-in, you get a push slice. If the face is open to the target line and the path is out-to-in, you get a strong push or a push slice.
The Two Core Elements of a Push
- Swing Path: The club travels too far from the outside toward the target line (out-to-in). This is the root of the dreaded golf slice correction battle.
- Clubface Angle: The clubface is open (pointing right of the target for a righty) when it strikes the ball.
The combination of these two factors dictates where the ball starts and curves. For a push, the ball starts slightly right and goes further right. This is distinct from a slice, which often starts near or left of the target and curves sharply right.
Fixing an Outside-In Golf Swing Path
Fixing an outside-in golf swing is crucial for eliminating the push. An out-to-in path means the club is approaching the ball from outside the target line.
Re-establishing the In-to-Out Path
To fix this, we need to encourage the club to approach the ball from the inside. This requires changes in your takeaway and transition.
Takeaway Checks
The start of the swing sets the tone for the whole motion.
- Keep the Club Inside Early: As you take the club back, ensure the clubhead stays slightly behind your hands, not outside your hands. If the club moves outside your hands quickly, you are set up for an outside path later.
- Avoid Over-the-Top Moves: The feeling of trying to “steer” the club from the top of the backswing often causes the outside path. Focus on letting your lower body start the downswing first.
Transition Focus
The transition from backswing to downswing is where many golfers lose their path.
- Lower Body Initiation: Feel your weight shift to your lead foot before your arms start dropping. This shallowing move allows the club to drop into the slot.
- Shallow the Club: Shallowing means the angle of attack becomes flatter. Imagine the butt end of the club pointing toward the ball, or even slightly behind it, as you start down. This is key for golf swing path adjustment.
Drill 1: The Gate Drill for Path Correction
Use two headcovers or alignment sticks to create a “gate” around the ball.
- Place one marker slightly outside the target line (closer to you).
- Place the second marker slightly inside the target line (further away).
- Your goal is to swing the club between these two markers on the downswing. This forces an inside path. Start with short, half swings focusing only on hitting the middle of the gate.
Correcting the Open Clubface at Impact
If your path is slightly better but you still push the ball, the face is likely open. Correcting open clubface at impact is vital, especially if you are trying to cure a golf push hook (where the push turns into a huge hook because the face is too open).
Causes of an Open Face
An open face at impact usually stems from one of two things:
- Grip Issues: A weak grip (too much under the hands) makes it hard to rotate the face square through impact.
- Casting/Early Extension: Releasing the wrist angles too early (casting) often causes the hands to flip open through impact, leaving the face exposed.
Grip Adjustment for Square Contact
To promote squaring the face:
- Strengthen Your Grip Slightly: For right-handers, you should see 2-3 knuckles on your left hand when you look down at address. This gives your lead hand more leverage to rotate the face closed.
- Feel Rotation: During practice swings, consciously feel your trailing forearm rotating over your lead forearm through impact.
Drill 2: The Towel Drill for Face Awareness
This drill helps you feel the clubface staying square longer.
- Place a small towel or headcover under your trail armpit (right armpit for a righty).
- Swing normally, trying to keep the towel secured until after impact.
- If you cast or flip your hands early, the towel will drop out prematurely. This forces you to maintain lag and rotate the forearms correctly, keeping the face more stable.
Integrating Path and Face: The Complete Golf Swing Fix
The goal is to have the club path move slightly in-to-out (maybe 1-3 degrees inside) and the clubface to be square or slightly closed to that path. This creates a slight draw, which is generally the most powerful and consistent shot shape.
Golf Swing Plane Fix
If the path is out-to-in, it often means your golf swing plane fix needs attention. The swing plane refers to the angle the club travels on relative to the ground.
- Too Steep (Vertical): Often leads to hitting the ground early (fat shots) or an outside path.
- Too Flat (Horizontal): Can lead to getting the club stuck behind you, often resulting in a weak block or hook if the face doesn’t square up.
Improving Plane through Posture and Setup
- Ball Position: For irons, the ball should be slightly forward of center. If the ball is too far back, it encourages an over-the-top move to reach it.
- Spine Tilt: Ensure you have a slight tilt away from the target at address (your trail shoulder lower than your lead shoulder). This helps shallow the club on the downswing naturally.
Drill 3: The Pump Drill for Plane Awareness
This drill focuses entirely on feel during the transition.
- Take your normal backswing to the top.
- Start the downswing by dropping your hands slightly while keeping your lower body moving forward. This is the “pump.”
- Do this twice—drop, pump, drop, pump—feeling the club shaft shallow out.
- On the third movement, swing through to impact. This exaggerates the feeling of getting the club “underneath” the swing plane.
Advanced Diagnostics: When the Push Turns into a Slice
If your push is severe, it is essentially a slice starting off-line. This means the out-to-in path is dominant. We need to swing more aggressively from the inside.
Golf Push Slice Drill: The Rope Drill
Imagine a rope attached to the heel of your club, extending towards the target.
- During the downswing, you want to feel like you are swinging away from that rope line, keeping the club lagging behind.
- This promotes an inside approach. If you swing out-to-in, the rope pulls the club wide too early.
Diagnosing the Push vs. Block vs. Slice
It’s important to know exactly what you are hitting to apply the right fix.
| Shot Type | Ball Start Direction (RH Golfer) | Ball Curve (RH Golfer) | Primary Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push | Right of Target | Straight or Slight Right Fade | Out-to-in path, Face square or slightly open to path. |
| Push Slice | Right of Target | Curves Sharply Right | Strong Out-to-in path, Face significantly open to path. |
| Block | Right of Target | Starts right, stays right (no curve) | Path out-to-in, Face wide open to target line. |
| Push Hook | Slightly Right | Curves Sharply Left | Out-to-in path, Face significantly closed to target line (often caused by over-correcting the face). |
If you consistently hit a push hook, your path fix is working, but your correcting open clubface at impact efforts have gone too far, leading to an over-rotation or flipping. You need to slow down the rotation or ease up on strengthening your grip too much.
Addressing Setup Issues: Fixing Golf Alignment Issues
Poor setup alignment is a silent killer for golfers trying to cure a push. If your body is aimed left of the target, your brain will subconsciously swing the club out-to-the-right to compensate, resulting in a push or a push slice.
Alignment Check Protocol
- Feet and Hips: These should point parallel to your intended target line (the line the ball will start on).
- Shoulders: These are the most common culprits. Ensure your shoulders are square to the target line, not pointing left (open) or right (closed).
- Ball Position Review: Reconfirm your ball position for the club you are using. Irons generally require the ball near the center of your stance or slightly forward.
Setup Drill 4: The Alignment Stick Test
This is the simplest diagnostic tool.
- Place one alignment stick pointing directly at your target.
- Place a second alignment stick along the ground where your feet are aimed.
- Take your stance. If your feet line up with the second stick, your setup is square. If your feet aim left of the target stick, you are set up open, forcing your swing to compensate outward.
Fine-Tuning the Release: Impact Feel
The release is the final moment where the face squares up. Many pushers fail to release because they are scared of hooking the ball after working on fixing the slice.
Promoting Forward Shaft Lean
Forward shaft lean—where the hands are slightly ahead of the clubhead at impact—is critical for iron shots. This helps keep the clubface stable and promotes the downward strike needed for compression.
- Feel at Address: Try setting up with your hands slightly forward of the ball. Maintain this relationship throughout the swing.
- Avoid “Scooping”: Scooping is the opposite of forward lean. It occurs when you try to lift the ball, causing the face to open up rapidly just before impact, leading directly to a push.
Practice Strategy for Lasting Change
Fixing a persistent golf push requires consistent, focused practice. Do not try to fix everything in one session.
Session Structure Recommendation:
| Focus Area | Time Allocation | Key Drill | Target Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment & Setup | 10 minutes | Alignment Stick Test | Body lines aimed squarely at target. |
| Path Correction | 20 minutes | The Gate Drill (Half Swings) | Feeling the club approach from the inside. |
| Face Control | 15 minutes | Towel Drill (Full Swings) | Conscious forearm rotation through impact. |
| Integration | 15 minutes | Pump Drill followed by a full shot | Combining inside path with a stable face. |
Consistency is more important than power during the correction phase. Focus on hitting 70% power shots that start online and hold their line. Distance will return once the mechanics are sound.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: I fixed my push, but now I’m hitting pulls. What changed?
A: A pull means the ball starts left and goes left (for a righty). This usually means your golf swing path adjustment was too aggressive. You likely swung too far from the inside, or you corrected your grip too much, causing the clubface to be closed relative to your now inside path. Ease back on the inside move; aim for a path that is only 1 or 2 degrees inside the target line, with the face square to that path.
Q: Does this advice apply equally to drivers and irons?
A: Mostly, yes, but with a key difference. For drivers, an inside-to-out path is actually desired (usually 2-4 degrees inside). If you push your driver, it means your path is too far inside, or your clubface is slightly open relative to that aggressive inside path. The setup and clubface rotation tips remain the same. The path adjustment needs to be less drastic for the driver.
Q: How long should it take to fix a persistent push?
A: A persistent push is usually a deep-seated habit. Expect significant noticeable improvement within 4 to 6 focused practice sessions (about 1-2 hours each). Total correction, where it becomes automatic on the course, can take several months of consistent reinforcement.
Q: Is a push always caused by swinging over the top?
A: Not exclusively. While fixing an outside-in golf swing often involves correcting an over-the-top move, a push can also occur if your setup is aimed dramatically right, and you swing perfectly parallel to your body line (which is right of the target). Always check alignment first before assuming the swing path is the sole problem.