Push
A push in golf is a shot that starts off-target and flies straight on that line, without any curve back toward where the player was aiming. For a right-handed golfer, the ball heads to the right of the target and stays there.
What is a push in golf?
A push is a directional miss. The ball travels in a more or less straight line from the clubface, but that line points away from the intended target. For a right-handed golfer, a pushed shot starts right of the target and lands right of the target. For a left-handed golfer, everything is mirrored: the ball starts and finishes to the left.
What separates a push from other off-line shots is the lack of sidespin. A pushed ball has roughly normal spin for the club being used, so it does not bend in the air. It simply flies on the wrong line from the moment it leaves the face.
Pushes happen with any club, from drivers and long irons down to wedges, and the same idea applies on the green when a putt starts off the intended line and stays there. The term “block” is often used interchangeably with push, especially when describing shots hit with the longer clubs.
How a push differs from other off-target shots
Most golfers who land on the term “push” are trying to figure out how it differs from a slice or one of the other common misses. The simplest way to see the differences is side by side.
| Shot | Start direction (RH golfer) | Ball flight | Where it ends up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push | Right of target | Straight | Right of target |
| Pull | Left of target | Straight | Left of target |
| Slice | Near or left of target | Curves right | Right of target |
| Push slice | Right of target | Curves further right | Far right of target |
The push and the slice are easy to confuse because both finish right of the target. The difference is in the path the ball takes through the air. A slice starts on or near the target line and then curves to the right because of sidespin, while a push leaves the face heading right and never curves back. Casual players often treat the two terms as the same thing, but they point to different swing patterns and need different corrections.
A pull is the mirror image of a push. The ball starts left of the target and flies straight on that line for a right-hander, ending up left of where the player was aiming.
A push slice is the combination shot golfers fear most. The ball starts right of the target, then curves even further right. It combines an inside-out swing path with an open clubface, so the ball gets pushed off-line and then spins further away from the target.
Push and block are usually treated as the same shot. Some instructors use “block” specifically when the body or arms stall through impact, and the clubface stays open relative to the target, but the resulting ball flight matches a push: straight and right.
What causes a push
Two things at impact decide whether a shot becomes a push: the angle of the clubface and the direction the club is traveling. Launch-monitor data from TrackMan and similar systems has shown that the starting direction of the ball is mostly determined by where the clubface is pointing at impact, while the curve through the air comes from the difference between the face angle and the swing path.
For a textbook push, the clubface is open to the target line (pointing right for a right-hander), but the swing path matches the face. Because the face and path agree, no curving sidespin is produced. The ball launches in the direction the face is pointing and stays on that line. In short, the swing path is moving too far from inside-to-out relative to the target line, and the clubface is square to that path while open to the actual target.
A few setup factors commonly contribute. Aiming right of the target without realizing it produces a “push” even with a technically clean swing. A ball position too far back in the stance can also be a culprit: contact happens before the clubface has rotated back to square, so the face stays open, and the path runs from inside to out. Grip and release issues also play a role, though those points belong to the how-to-fix conversation and sit outside the scope of a definition.
Golfers who want the cure rather than the definition can head to a dedicated fix-a-push article for swing adjustments and drills.
Push in putting
The same idea translates to the putting green. A pushed putt is one that starts right of the target line and rolls on that line, missing the cup to the right (for a right-handed golfer). Most pushed putts come from either an open putter face at impact, a stroke path that swings out to the right, or both.
Unlike a misread putt, a pushed putt is a mechanical miss: the ball was never going to drop because it left the putter face on the wrong line. The fix sits in setup and stroke mechanics rather than in green-reading.
Related Golf Terms
- Pull — A shot that travels straight but to the left of the target for a right-hander.
- Press — In betting, starting a new bet within a Nassau when behind.
- Pro shop — A retail store at a golf course selling equipment, apparel, and accessories.
- Punch shot — A low-trajectory shot played to stay below tree branches or wind.
- Provisional ball — A second ball played when the original may be lost or out of bounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a push the same as a slice?
No. A push flies straight on an off-target line. A slice starts closer to the target and curves to the right (for a right-handed golfer) because of sidespin.
What is the opposite of a push?
A pull. For a right-handed golfer, a pull starts left of the target and flies straight on that line, ending up left of where the player aimed.
Is a push the same as a block?
The two terms are usually used interchangeably. Some instructors reserve “block” for shots where the body stalls through impact, but the ball flight is the same.
Do left-handed golfers push the ball, too?
Yes. The direction is reversed. A push for a left-handed golfer starts left of the target and flies straight on that line, finishing left of the target.
What is a push slice?
A push slice starts right of the target and then curves even further right. It happens when the clubface is open relative to the swing path, and both are aimed right of the target.
Sources
- Kelley, Brent. “What Is a Push (or Push Shot) in Golf?” LiveAbout. Accessed May 2026.
- Golf Distillery. “Push Shots: How to Stop Pushing Golf Balls Right.” Accessed May 2026.
- Palozola, Maria (LPGA). “Preventing a Push.” My Golf Instructor. Accessed May 2026.
- Lanoue, Spencer. “What Is a Push Shot in Golf?” CaddieHQ, November 2025.
- Foy Golf Academy. “Why You Keep Pushing Putts (And How to Fix It for Good).” July 2025.
- The Golf News Net. “Golf terms: What does it mean to push or pull a ball in golf?” September 2022.
- GOLF Magazine via golf.com. “There are 3 types of slices. Here’s what causes each, and how to fix them.”
