A push starts right of the target and keeps going straight right. A pull starts left and keeps going straight left. Unlike a slice or hook, there is little curve, which tells you something important: the club face and the swing path are pointing in the same wrong direction. Fix the direction of both, and the ball starts on target. Here is how to diagnose and cure pushes and pulls.
Directions are for right-handed golfers. Left-handers should reverse them.
Understanding ball flight
| Shot | Start direction | Curve | Face and path at impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push | Right | Straight | Both pointing right |
| Push slice | Right | Curves further right | Path right, face open to path |
| Push draw | Right | Curves back to target | Path right, face closed to path |
| Pull | Left | Straight | Both pointing left |
| Pull hook | Left | Curves further left | Path left, face closed to path |
| Pull fade | Left | Curves back to target | Path left, face open to path |
Read how to hit a draw and a fade, how to fix a slice and how to fix a hook.
Check your set-up first
Many pushes and pulls are caused before the swing begins.
Alignment
- Aiming right produces pushes; many golfers aim right without realising it, especially with long clubs.
- Aiming left produces pulls.
Lay alignment sticks along your feet and the target line to check. Read golf alignment: how to aim.
Ball position
- Too far back: the club reaches the ball while still travelling right, with the face open: a push.
- Too far forward: the club is travelling left and closing: a pull.
Read golf ball position.
Shoulders
Even with the feet square, shoulders aimed left of the target encourage pulls, and shoulders aimed right encourage pushes.
Causes in the swing
The push
- Body stalling: the hips and chest stop turning in the downswing, so the arms swing out to the right.
- Swinging too much from the inside: often after working hard to cure a slice.
- Sliding the hips towards the target without rotating. Read golf weight transfer.
- Hands too far ahead at impact with the face not squaring.
The pull
- Over the top: the shoulders start the downswing, throwing the club outside the plane and across the ball. Read golf swing plane explained.
- Shoulders opening too early in the downswing.
- Ball too far forward.
- Trying to steer the ball away from trouble on the right.
Drills
Gate drill
Place two tees just wider than your club head, a few inches in front of the ball on your intended start line. Hit shots through the gate. It gives instant feedback on the start direction.
Alignment-stick path drill
Place one stick along your target line and another on the ground pointing slightly right or left of it to represent your desired path. Swing along the path stick.
Pump drill for pushes
Pump the club down to hip height, feeling the chest keep turning towards the target. Then swing through, keeping the body rotating to the finish. Read golf follow-through and finish.
Headcover drill for pulls
Place a headcover just outside and slightly behind the ball. Swing without hitting it to train an inside path.
Feet-together drill
Hit half shots with your feet together to sync the arms and body.
On the course
- If you're pushing: check your aim and ball position, then focus on turning your chest to the target through impact.
- If you're pulling: check you are not aiming left, move the ball back slightly and feel the downswing start with the lower body.
- Play for your miss: if the push is persistent, aim a little left and avoid hazards on the right until you can work on it.
Equipment checks
Lie angles that are too flat can cause pushes; too upright can cause pulls. Read golf club lie angle and length.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a push and a slice?
A push starts right and flies straight. A slice curves sharply to the right, often after starting left or straight.
Why do I push my driver?
Common causes are aiming right, the ball too far back, the body stalling, or swinging too much from the inside.
Why do I pull my short irons?
Often because the ball is too far forward, the shoulders open early, or the club is too upright for you.
Can a pull be good?
A slight pull with a fade back to the target, a "pull fade", can be a reliable shot for some golfers.
The bottom line
Pushes and pulls start off line and stay there because the face and path agree on the wrong direction. Check alignment, ball position and shoulder line first, then work on keeping the body turning through impact for pushes, and starting down from the ground for pulls. Use the gate drill and alignment sticks to retrain the start line. For more on ball flight, read golf ball spin explained.