As I've previously mentioned, trying to compete with significant problems in your swing is never a good idea. Your local Foremost Golf Professional is always there to help so please go and visit them for any help.

In the meantime, here's a drill that might help. Lay two headcovers down either side of your ball, creating a pathway through impact. If you are struggling with an exaggerated in-to-out swing path you will struggle to strike the ball without clipping the headcovers. Having a clear path through which to swing is a great way to visualise what the ideal route into the ball should be.

This drill may well help you find a more neutral swing path.

Pushes and hooks are part of the same family of shots and they stem from the way in which the club travels through impact. Let's presume that you have taken a good set up position and are nicely aligned. As the club, in the images shown below the example of a driver is used, works through the downswing, it attacks the ball from too far inside the ball-to-target line. If the face of the club is square to the swing path, you will hit a straight push that finishes well to the right of the target. If the face is pointing at the target at impact, a low hook that swings viciously left is the likely outcome.

For any ambitious golfer, it is important to understand why you are hitting certain shots. The root cause of the problem in this instance could be a range of different things and identifying where it is coming from and putting it right is essential. Please go and see your local Foremost Golf professional to book a lesson if you are struggling with pushes or hooks as I guarantee that trying to play through the problem will only do more harm than good.