How to Fix a Pull in Golf: Swing Path Corrections That Work

Stop Pulling Your Shots: Simple Swing-Path Fixes to Cure a Golf Pull

Nothing kills a good stretch on the course faster than a pull. If your ball routinely starts left and stays left, the root cause is almost always in the swing path, setup, or body mechanics. This guide walks you through why pulls happen, the corrections that actually work, and simple practice tactics you can use on the range and on the course. Fix the fundamentals and you’ll see fewer pulled shots — and more enjoyable rounds.

We’ll cover the common causes of pulls, drills to change your path, how grip and stance affect outcomes, the body movements that matter, and how Better than Bogey Golf coaches golfers across Dallas–Fort Worth with tailored, on-course instruction.

What Causes a Golf Pull Shot and How It Shapes Ball Flight

Knowing why pulls happen is the first step to stopping them. For a right-handed player a pull is a shot that starts left of your intended line and keeps going left — usually caused by an outside‑in swing path and a clubface that’s square or a touch closed at impact.

What Is a Pull? How the Ball Usually Behaves

A pull starts left and stays left with little or no curve. It’s different from a pull‑hook or a fade — its hallmark is a relatively straight ball flight that heads off target. That flight often comes from an outside‑in path meeting a square or slightly closed face at impact.

Which Swing Paths and Clubface Angles Produce Pulls?

Pulls most often come from an outside‑in swing path — the club moves across the ball from outside the target line toward inside — with the face either square or just a bit closed to that path. Once you recognize that geometry, the fixes become mechanical and practiceable.

How to Fix an Outside‑In Swing Path and Stop Pulls

Changing an outside‑in path takes targeted practice. Below are reliable drills and movement cues that promote a more inside‑out approach and reduce pulled shots.

Drills That Turn an Outside‑In Path into Inside‑Out

Try this simple drill: place a headcover just outside the ball on the target line and swing so the clubhead misses the cover on the way down. That forces a shallower, inside motion through impact. Repeat short shots first, then build to full swings — the visual cue helps retrain the path quickly.

How Shallowing the Downswing Reduces Pulls

“Shallowing” means flattening the club’s descent so it approaches the ball on a less steep plane. That change promotes an inside‑out path and helps the face square up at impact. Work the shallow motion in slow reps — it’s a simple mechanical tweak that often yields immediate improvement.

How Grip, Stance, and Ball Position Influence Pulls

Small setup tweaks can have big effects. Your grip, stance width, and where you place the ball all influence the path and the face at impact.

Grip Tips to Keep the Ball from Pulling Left

A neutral grip — not too strong, not too weak — gives you better face control. If your top hand is rotated too far under the grip you’ll encourage the face to close; rotate it slightly back toward neutral and you’ll reduce that tendency. Grip pressure should be firm but relaxed.

Stance and Ball Position Adjustments That Help

A slightly narrower stance can improve balance and allow a smoother inside move. Moving the ball a touch forward in your stance for longer clubs often encourages a more inside impact position. Make small changes and test them with a few shots to see what feels repeatable.

How Body Mechanics Affect Pulls

Your lower‑body and core drive the swing path. When your turn and hip action sync correctly, the club has a better chance of approaching from the inside.

Why Proper Hip Rotation and Body Turn Prevent Pulls

Good hip rotation initiates the downswing and creates room for the arms to drop on an inside path. If the hips lock up or the upper body overpowers the lower body, the swing can come over the top and produce a pull. Focus on initiating the downswing with a controlled hip turn and you’ll see the path change.

Why the Lead Wrist Matters in Path Correction

Your lead wrist controls face angle through impact. A flat or slightly bowed lead wrist at contact helps keep the face square and resists early closing that creates pulls. Practice impact positions slowly until the feel becomes natural.

How Better than Bogey Golf Coaches Pull Corrections in DFW

Better than Bogey Golf delivers mobile, personalized lessons across Dallas–Fort Worth that focus on practical, on-course fixes for pulls and other common faults. Our coaching blends simple diagnostics with drills you can repeat under pressure.

The Four‑Step Improvement Process We Use

We follow a clear process: assessment, personalized coaching, targeted drills, and on‑course application. That sequence ensures the change you make on the range carries over to real play.

How Mobile On‑Course Lessons Speed Up Pull Corrections

Taking lessons onto the course lets us see your swing under real conditions and give immediate fixes. You’ll get actionable adjustments you can use right away, plus the practice repetitions that transfer to lower scores.

How to Apply Pull Fixes During a Round

Translating practice into on‑course reliability takes simple systems and repetition. Use short checkpoints and a few trusted drills to stay consistent when it counts.

Why 9‑Hole Playing Lessons Reinforce Path Changes

Nine‑hole playing lessons let you practice new mechanics across multiple shots and lies while getting live coaching. That feedback loop — play, fix, play — is one of the fastest ways to make swing changes stick.

Local DFW Drills and Success Stories That Work

DFW players often improve by adding alignment sticks, using the headcover gate drill, and getting focused mobile coaching. Local case studies show that a few targeted adjustments plus on‑course practice usually stops recurring pulls within weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What common mistakes usually cause pull shots?

Pulls typically come from an outside‑in swing path, a grip that allows the face to close early, or poor stance and body sequencing. Overactive upper body or locked hips are frequent culprits. Spotting which of these is happening for you makes the correction straightforward.

Can mental focus help reduce pull shots?

Absolutely. Tension and loss of focus lead to rushed sequencing and a tendency to swing over the top. Simple routines — a targeted pre‑shot routine, slow practice swings, and a clear target — keep you relaxed and allow the mechanics to work.

Do equipment changes help prevent pulls?

Yes — properly fitted clubs reduce compensations. Shaft flex, lie angle, and grip size all influence how the club behaves at impact. If you’re fighting consistent pulls, a fitting can rule out gear as the source and often makes other fixes easier.

How do alignment aids improve swing path?

Alignment sticks and simple visual gates give instant feedback on your path and setup. Consistent use builds muscle memory for an inside‑out approach and makes it obvious when you drift back to an outside‑in move.

Does fitness matter for correcting pull shots?

Fitness matters. Strength, flexibility, and balance let you turn correctly and sequence the swing without compensating. Even basic mobility work for the hips and core can improve your ability to swing from the inside.

How can video analysis help fix pulls?

Video lets you see exactly what your path and face are doing. Recording swings from down‑the‑line and face‑on views pinpoints the problem and tracks progress. Working with a coach who reviews video speeds up the learning curve.

Conclusion

Fixing pulls is about identifying the specific cause — path, face, setup, or sequencing — and practicing a few focused corrections. With targeted drills, small setup tweaks, and on‑course repetition, most golfers can eliminate their pulls and start hitting straighter, more confident shots. If you’re in DFW and want hands‑on help, our coaches at Better than Bogey Golf will build a simple, repeatable plan to get you back on line.