Trevor Ng
Golf is a challenging sport that requires a lot of practice and precision. One of the most common issues among golfers is a slice, which occurs when an out-to-in swing path meets an open clubface, resulting in a loss of power and an unpredictable trajectory. Correcting a slice can be frustrating, but with the right techniques and mindset, it can be achieved. This involves understanding the fundamentals of setup and grip, practising drills, seeking expert instruction, and putting in the necessary work to improve one's golf game. By addressing these aspects, golfers can improve their consistency, accuracy, and overall enjoyment of the game.
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What You'll Learn
Take lessons and practice
Taking lessons and practising is the best way to correct your golf slice. A slice is one of the most common and frustrating shot shapes among recreational golfers. It occurs when an out-to-in swing path meets an open clubface. While there are quick fixes and drills that can help you stop slicing, they may not last long. Taking lessons and practising can help you improve your overall golf game and make the changes necessary to correct your slice in the long term.
One of the first steps to correcting your slice is understanding why it happens. Booking a swing evaluation with a golf instructor can help you get expert insights into your swing and advice on how to fix your slice. You can also take lessons from a reputable instructor to improve your swing. For example, you could learn how to keep your trailing elbow pinned to your torso during the backswing and through impact, which keeps the clubface straight.
Practising what you learn in your lessons is crucial to correcting your slice. It can take a lot of practice and time to correct your slice. You may need to hit hundreds or even thousands of balls at the range over several months, focusing on what you learned in your lessons. Practising drills such as the Motorcycle and Headcover drills can also help you hit straighter, longer tee shots.
In addition to taking lessons and practising, it's important to start with the basics of setup and grip. Even the best players in the world know that these fundamentals can't be ignored. Your feet, hips, shoulders, and clubface should all be square to the target. Many slicers aim left because they lose the ball to the right, but this only makes the problem worse. Instead, set up as if you're hitting it straight, and let your swing follow.
By taking lessons, practising what you learn, and focusing on the basics of setup and grip, you can correct your golf slice and improve your overall golf game. It may take time and effort, but it will be worth it to see your ball flying straight and true down the fairway.
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Swing with 80% power
Swinging with 80% power is a great way to correct your golf slice. A slice is often the result of a hard swing, so easing off the power can help you hit the ball straighter and further.
When swinging with 80% power, you want to focus on a smooth, controlled swing. This means making a conscious effort to swing slower and smoother, rather than trying to generate speed with a quick uncoiling motion at the top of your swing. This will help you avoid the conditions that lead to a slice.
To achieve this, you can try a drill where you start with the clubhead behind the ball and lift it up over your head until your hands are in front of your face. Then, turn your shoulders back and feel the weight of the clubhead, keeping it on a shallower plane. From here, swing over the ball, making a half clockwise loop from the position over your head down to the ball, which will help keep the club on the correct inside path.
Another tip is to focus on your grip. Many players use a grip that is too weak, with their thumbs pointing straight down the handle. By strengthening your grip, you can square the clubface, which helps correct a slice. Move your left hand slightly to the right (for right-handed golfers), allowing your right hand to sit more under the club. This promotes better face rotation and impact control.
Additionally, make sure you are using your hips correctly. Many amateur golfers make the mistake of not utilising their hips properly, which affects their power and consistency.
By focusing on a smooth, controlled swing with the proper grip and hip movement, you can effectively correct your golf slice while swinging with 80% power.
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Keep your left arm and hips in the correct position
Keeping your left arm and hips in the correct position is key to correcting your golf slice. A slice is one of the most common and frustrating shot shapes among recreational golfers. It occurs when an out-to-in swing path meets an open clubface, resulting in a loss of power and control.
To correct your left arm position, try the following:
- Start with the clubhead behind the ball and lift it up over your head until your hands are in front of your face.
- Turn your shoulders back and feel the weight of the clubhead, keeping it on a shallower plane.
- Swing over the ball, making a half-clockwise loop that keeps the club on the correct inside path.
- Progress to a two-thirds backswing, with your left arm in front of your chest, then make a full backswing turn and start hitting shots.
Regarding hip position, it is important to ensure your hips are square to the target and parallel to your target line. Many slicers aim left, but this exaggerates the path and makes it harder to fix. Instead, set up as if you are hitting the ball straight, and let your swing follow. By fixing this setup, you will swing on a more neutral path.
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Use a stronger grip
Golfers often open their stance and aim left because they lose the ball to the right. However, this only worsens the problem and leads to a swing path that produces a slice. To correct a golf slice, you must start with the basics of setup and grip.
A stronger grip helps square the clubface. For right-handed golfers, this means moving your left hand slightly to the right, allowing the right hand to sit more under the club. This promotes better face rotation and impact control. Your grip should be strong, but not too tight, as this will keep your hands from releasing through impact.
To ensure you have the correct grip, check that lines drawn up from the base of your thumbs would hit the point of your collar on the right side of your shirt. Your palms should be parallel to each other, with your thumbs not pointing straight down the handle.
When you head to the practice range, lay down a guide (such as a club shaft or alignment stick) at your feet pointing directly at your target line. Then, orient your hips and shoulders so they are parallel to it. This will ensure you are aiming correctly at your target.
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Try the Hank Haney 5-minute drill
Golfers who are slicing tend to have their clubface open to the path of the swing. Hank Haney's 5-minute drill, also known as the Counter-Slice Sequence, is designed to fix this by over-exaggerating the closing of the clubface. This revolutionary sequence can fix your slice after just one shot on the range, adding 20-30 yards to your drives and improving accuracy off the tee.
The 5-minute drill is based on Haney's experience as a golf coach. He has worked with Hall of Famer Mark O'Meara for 25 years, coached Tiger Woods, and given over 70,000 lessons to amateur golfers in his 40-plus-year career. Haney's passion is helping life-long slicers, and he claims that his 5-minute drill can have you hitting 10 to 13 fairways a round, slashing 8 to 10 strokes from your scorecard.
The drill involves a couple of simple exercises to help you over-exaggerate closing the clubface. Haney's big insight is that slicing is caused by the clubface being open to the path of the swing, so his exercises focus on correcting this issue. While the concept is simple, getting your body to do it can be challenging.
You can access Haney's 5-minute drill through an online video. It comes with a 365-day 100% money-back guarantee and an unconditional refund policy. You can also ask Haney any question live and get immediate feedback designed to help fix your slice even faster. If you miss the live stream, you will have access to the replay for life.
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Frequently asked questions
A slice is a common and frustrating shot shape in golf that occurs when an out-to-in swing path meets an open clubface. It is difficult to control and devoid of power, making it both ugly and unplayable.
There are several ways to correct a golf slice, including:
- Using a stronger grip by moving your left hand slightly to the right (for right-handed golfers), allowing the right hand to sit more under the club.
- Ensuring your feet, hips, shoulders, and clubface are all square to the target.
- Practicing with a guide (such as a club shaft or alignment stick) at your feet pointing at your target line, then orienting your hips and shoulders parallel to it.
- Practicing a drill where you start with the clubhead behind the ball and lift it up over your head until your hands are in front of your face, then turn your shoulders back and feel the weight of the clubhead, keeping it on a shallower plane.
Correcting a golf slice can take varying amounts of time depending on the individual and their level of practice. Some sources suggest that it can be corrected in as little as 5 minutes with the right drills and techniques, while others suggest that it may take a significant amount of time and practice to make fundamental changes to your golf game and correct your slice permanently.
