This clubface hack is a quick-fix for those infuriating mishits

Welcome to Shaving Strokes, a GOLF.com series in which we’re sharing improvements, learnings and takeaways from amateur golfers just like you — including some of the speed bumps and challenges they faced along the way.

Like many of you, I’ve got a bad tendency to slice, hook, chunk, and top the hell out of the golf ball. While it’s not all the time, it happens enough that I’m costing myself a handful of strokes each round — which inflates my frustration and deflates my confidence.

Instruction

It’s one thing to have a consistent mishit, but it’s another thing to spray the ball all over the course without much understanding as to why it happens.

But during a recent lesson with GOLF Top 100 Teacher John Scott Rattan, he not only quickly identified the problem with me — which turned out to be a funky clubface at address — but also offered up a simple hack to correct the issue.

Try this tip to square the clubface

In the video above, Rattan says one of the things he sees a lot with amateurs (with me as the guinea pig), is forgetting to square the clubface at address. It’s something that can often be overlooked when setting up to the ball — but will have an enormous impact on the outcome of any shot.

“Before he even starts, he sets up the club with a shut face,” Rattan says. “See how it’s pointed more at about 11 o’clock? We always want to grip it with a square face, so you’re better off gripping it open at about 1 o’clock than you are closed.

“You have no incentive to shut the face if it’s already closed, and your path is always going to go left of your target.”

Instruction

So how can you address the ball with a square clubface? Rattan says use a “stand up grip.”

“Stand up, unhinge your wrist, set the club and then grip it, set it down [to the ground], and then address the ball,” he explains. “It’s going to feel like the face is open.”

Rattan then shares why this type of clubface control is crucial when trying to hit draws.

“The first thing for a draw is to get the face pointed to the right of the target at impact,” he says. “So we want to have it start there a little bit better.”

Rukket Sports Pathfinder Impact Mat™

Are you looking for a golf training mat to help your golf game? The Rukket Pathfinder Impact Mat™ was designed with input from professional golfers and golf teachers to help players of all abilities improve their game. The strike mat tracks club face alignment and helps ensure clean contact with the ball while the foam pylons can be used to keep your swing on plane. Use all four pylons to practice hitting straighter shots or remove pylons to practice hitting draw or fade shots. It’s the most versatile golf swing practice mat available and works with every club in your bag! Features 2-in-1 golf swing training mat combining the features of an impact mat / strike mat and a swing path trainer to help golfers quickly identify and correct common swing problems like hooks and slices. It’s a golf swing impact / strike mat to help identify and correct club face alignment. Use the “velvet” turf to ensure you’re making clean contact with the ball. It’s also a golf swing training aid to help with swing plane alignment. Use it to fix a slice or a hook, and to practice hitting draw and fade shots. What’s in the Box (1) Rukket Pathfinder Impact Mat™ (4) Foam Pylons (1) Instruction Booklet Product Specs 25in x 13in x 0.8in RUKKET FAIR PLAY GUARANTEE & LIFETIME WARRANTY: At Rukket Sports we know you came to win. We also understand that in order to win you need to train hard, so that’s why we’re proud to offer the Rukket Fair Play Guarantee & Lifetime Warranty for no-risk purchasing plus outstanding USA-based customer service!

$69.99 from Fairway Jockey

View Product