For the majority of golfers (those that play right handed) a hook is simply a shot that veers off to the left of its intended target. In some cases the shot will start out to the right of its intended line and then veer off to the left during flight while, in other cases, it will start left and then move further out to the left as it travels through the air. In either case the result is a shot that ends up often way left of where you intended it to be.

The "hook" shot is very common and is the result of a bad grip, a poor stance or an incorrect swing. In many cases it is a combination of all three. Each of these can result in the club face meeting the ball in a "closed" rather than an "open" position putting a counter-clockwise spin on the ball and causing it to turn to the left in flight.

A bad grip in this case usually means that your right hand and forearm are allowed to rotate too much during your swing, thus closing the club face.

To check your grip start by ensuring that the "Vs" in each hand are pointing to your right shoulder as you address the ball. If they are pointing to the right of your shoulder then your grip is too strong and needs to be relaxed a little.

The back of your left hand and the palm of your right hand should both be facing your target and you should only be able to see two knuckles of your left hand. If you can see three knuckles then again your grip is too strong and needs to be relaxed. Be careful here though not to relax your left hand too much as your left hand will steady the right and prevent it from turning during your swing and again closing the club face.

Remember that you should hold the club just tightly enough to control it but no more and that most of your grip should come from the palms of your hands, rather than from your fingers.

Turning to your stance, you need to remember that your aim is to return the club to meet the ball in just the position you set up when you are taking up your stance and addressing the ball in preparation for your shot.

To achieve this, start with the club in the position you want it to be in when you hit the ball and ensure that you are standing comfortably with your shoulders, hips and knees all parallel to the line to your target. At this point the club face will be open as long as the scoring lines on the club face are at right angles to your body and the line to your target.

The final step in avoiding a hook shot is to ensure that your swing brings the clubface down to contact the ball squarely in just the position you selected during your address.

To achieve this you need to keep the club moving throughout your swing in just one plane which is parallel to the line to your target. One way to do this is to practice slowly by imagining that you have a large circular table (about eight feet in diameter) standing on its edge right in front of your face with the top of the table parallel with the line to your target. Then, as you swing, imagine the club head following the rim of the table all the way up and back down again.

One other important point. On the downswing keep your legs relaxed and make sure that the swing is coming from your body and not your legs. You should also feel your weight shifting to your left side during the downswing.

Well, there you have it. Don't grip the club to tightly, take up a square and relaxed stance and swing the club is just one plane and you will avoid those all too common, and very annoying, hook shots.

For more information and tips on golf and for an insight into the joys of Phoenix golf vacations then please visit Golf-Unlimited.info today. Also, don't forget to practice your swing to avoid those embarrassing hook shots and people finding your personalized golf balls way off in the left-hand rough.