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Fairway SupportIrons & ApproachPull (starts and stays left)

Pull (starts and stays left)

The shot flies straight with no curve, but it starts left of target and stays on that line.

Why it happens

A pull with an iron happens when the swing path and clubface match each other, so the shot doesn't curve, but both are aimed to the left of where you actually want the ball to land.

Possible causes in your swing, and how to fix each one

Tap any cause to see its fix. Work through them one at a time, usually one or two are the real culprit.

1Swinging across the ball from outside the target line

An over-the-top move sends the swing path left of target; if the face matches that path instead of staying open to it, the shot flies straight but left.

Fix: Practice starting the downswing with your lower body rather than your arms and shoulders, which helps the club approach from further inside instead of over the top.
2Alignment aimed left of target at setup

Shoulders or feet aimed even slightly left of your actual target will send a solidly struck shot in that direction.

Fix: Check your alignment periodically with an alignment stick laid across your toes, it drifts more easily than most golfers realize.
3Ball position too far forward for the club

Playing the ball too far forward means the swing path is already moving left of target by the time it arrives at the ball.

Fix: Move the ball position back slightly in your stance, especially with shorter irons, which should be played closer to the center of your stance than a driver.
4Sliding the lower body instead of rotating

A lateral slide toward the target with little hip turn tends to leave the swing path aimed left through impact.

Fix: Focus on rotating your hips through the shot rather than sliding them. A chair or golf bag just outside your right hip can give feedback if you're sliding instead of turning.

When to stop self-diagnosing

If you've genuinely worked through two or three of these causes over several range sessions and the miss keeps showing up, that's not a failure since it usually means the real cause is something you can't feel or see in your own swing. A single 30-minute lesson with a certified instructor, who can watch you hit balls, will find it faster than any website. Bring this page along and tell them what you've already ruled out; it'll save you both time.