In golf, what is the difference between a slice and a hook?

Question

I'm Lefthanded

Answer 1

What is a slice?
The slice is a shot that curves frustratingly to the right. It is the most common fault in golf. The slice occurs because the golfer imparts some left to right sidespin to the ball in addition to backspin. This is caused by hitting the ball with the clubface aimed to the right of the direction in which the club is being swung.

The fundamental cause of the slice is the clubface being open at impact. When I say this, I mean the clubface is open to the swing path (the direction the clubhead is traveling). Another way to put it is that your clubface is looking right of the direction in which your clubhead is moving. Your clubface can be perfectly square toward your target, but if you are cutting across the ball (outside-to-inside), you are going to get a slice.

If you cut across the ball and your clubface is square to your swing path you will get a pulled shot to the left. If you swing straight down the target line and your clubface is open (open to your swing path), your ball will take off straight and then slice. Your goal during the swing is to have the clubhead travel straight down the target line (for the period just before impact, during impact, and just after impact) with the clubface square.

When the ball is struck by a clubface that is open to right, the force imparts a spin to the right (clockwise) to the ball, as well as some backspin. The spinning causes a lower air pressure on one side of the ball. It’s like the baseball pitcher intentionally putting sidespin on a pitch to make it curve. The faster he can make it spin when he throws it the sharper the pitch will curve.



A golf ball spins on every golf shot. The question is: Which way will it spin? If it spins straight backwards around a horizontal axis, like a car tire spinning backward, you’ll have a straight shot with backspin, which will help get the ball into the air. If it spins toward the right around a vertical axis like a merry-go-round, you’ll wind up with a ground ball because there is no backspin to create the lift necessary to get the ball up in the air. If you combine backspin and sidespin, you wind up with a slice curving off to the right. Most shots will have a limited amount of side spin. Those will be the fades and draws

What is a hook?
Definition: A shot in which the ball curves severely from right-to-left when struck by a righthander, or left-to-right when struck by a lefthander. A hook is similar to a draw in that both shots curve in the same direction, but a hook curves much more severely. Further, a draw is the shot of choice for many of the best players, but a hook is a shot that is rarely hit intentionally. Hooks are often the bane of amateur golfers and, for amateurs, can be tough to straighten out. A popular golf saying is, "You can talk to a slice but a hook won't listen."
Also Known As: The "duck hook" and "snap hook" are variations on the theme, and indicate severity.

Answer 2

For a Right Handed Player a slice goes right and a hook goes left. It is good to hit a fade or a draw in the right situations a fade also goes right and a draw goes left, but only a few yards. Most golfers feel that a slight draw on a drive will give the best distance off the tee unless the fairway has a dogleg.

If you have a slice, good luck! Hard to get rid of without a lot of practice.

Answer 3

A hook is a shot where ball curves severely from right-to-left when struck by a righthander, or vice versa for a lefty. A draw is best described as an intentional hook that does not curve as much.

A slice is a shot where the ball curves from left-to-right for a righthanded player, vice versa for a lefty. A fade is best described as an intentional slice that does not curve as much.

A hook and a slice are both unintentional.

Answer 4

A hook is essentially the same as being a pull hitter in baseball. The ball will curve to the left for a right-handed golfer (vice-versa for a leftie).

A slice is the opposite. You're essentially pushing the ball, so it will curve right for a rightie.

Answer 5

If you are right handed, a slice goes far to the right and a hook goes left.

If you are left handed, a slice toes far to the left and a hook goes to the right.

Answer 6

A slice goes to the right of a right handed golfer and a hook goes to the left.

Since you're a lefty, it's the opposite.

Answer 7

a slice is an uncontrolled / severely curved shot

a hook is a curved shot that is more controlled (as in getting around a corner)

both a slice & curve can be either left or right

Answer 8

For a right-handed golfer:

Slice goes left to right
Hook goes right to left
Draw goes right to left (but is controlled, unlike a hook)
Fade goes left to right (but is controlled, unlike a slice)

Answer 9

Similar, but a hook is more severe than a slice.

Answer 10

A slice goes right and a hook goes left... if you're right handed.
If you're a southpaw, they're reversed.