Jackson Reid
Golf is a game that can be frustrating for beginners and experienced players alike. One of the most common issues is the slice, a shot that curves away from the player's dominant hand, resulting in a loss of distance and accuracy. While it may seem like a swing flaw, a slice is often the result of several issues with technique, such as an open clubface, incorrect grip, or poor alignment. Luckily, there are many training aids, drills, and strategies to help players correct their swing and eliminate the slice, such as adjusting grip strength, evaluating equipment, and practising the correct path and plane.
How to Remedy a Golf Slice
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grip | Stronger grip with palms parallel to each other |
| Clubface | Square at impact |
| Alignment | Get feet, hips, and shoulders parallel with the target line |
| Swing | Avoid steep swing into the ball, keep the clubface straight at impact |
| Power | Avoid swinging too hard, use 80% power |
| Practice | Practice drills to feel the correct path and plane |
| Equipment | Use a driver with more loft |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the cause of your slice
Slicing is a common problem for golfers of all levels, and it can be frustrating when you're trying to improve your game. A slice occurs when the ball curves away from the player's dominant hand, resulting in a loss of distance and accuracy. While there can be several causes for a slice, identifying the root cause is crucial to correcting it. Here are some factors to consider when diagnosing the cause of your slice:
Grip
The way you grip the club can significantly influence the ball's trajectory. A "weak" grip, where the hands are rotated too far towards the target, is a common flaw that can lead to an open clubface at impact, causing the ball to slice. To correct this, adjust your grip so that your palms are parallel to each other, with your thumbs pointing away from the target. This will promote a stronger grip and help eliminate the slice.
Clubface Angle
An open clubface at impact is the most common cause of a slice. This often occurs due to an incorrect grip or an over-the-top swing motion. Ensure that your clubface is square at impact by adjusting your grip and swing path. Check that your thumbs are off-center and opposing your hands for better control.
Swing Path
The path of your swing can also contribute to slicing. A steep, over-the-top swing can cause the clubface to remain open at impact, resulting in a slice. Additionally, swinging with too much power can increase the likelihood of a slice. Try swinging at 80% power to promote a smoother, more controlled swing and reduce the severity of the slice.
Alignment
Poor alignment can exacerbate a slice. Many slicers tend to point their shoulders, feet, and hips to the left of their target, which affects the swing path. Ensure that your feet, hips, and shoulders are parallel to the target line to promote a straighter swing.
Equipment
Sometimes, the equipment you use can contribute to slicing. Using a driver with too little loft can lead to a high, weak ball flight. Adjustable drivers allow you to increase the loft and move weight to the clubhead's heel, helping to reduce slicing.
By identifying the specific cause of your slice, you can make the necessary adjustments to your grip, swing, equipment, or a combination of these factors. Remember that fixing a slice may take time and practice, but with persistence and the right techniques, you can improve your swing and overall golf game.
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Adjust your grip
A weak grip is one of the most common flaws that cause a slice. This happens when the hands are rotated too far towards the target on the grip. To remedy this, make sure you can see the knuckle of your index finger on your left hand when you are in your normal address position.
If you are a right-handed golfer, you can adjust your grip by rotating your hands away from the target. This will close the clubface, reducing the curve of the ball in flight. Your lead hand should appear exactly as it looks when your arm hangs—this will usually have the thumb off-center and opposing the hand for relaxed support and control.
A strong grip promotes a draw, while a weak grip tends to promote a slight left-to-right shot. Ideally, you want a neutral grip so that you can have a straighter ball flight and the ability to work the golf ball in both directions.
If you are a lefty playing right-handed golf, you can adjust by taking your right hand and turning it under or more to the right. This will allow the hand and arm that aren't as dominant to square the face at impact.
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Improve your alignment
Alignment is one of the foundations of playing good golf. How you address the ball sets up the rest of your golf swing, making it easier to have the proper swing path and not have an open clubface at impact.
A common issue with alignment is that slicers will point their shoulders, feet, and hips to the left of their target. This can be corrected by getting the feet, hips, and shoulders all parallel with the target line. This will make it much easier for the golfer to swing the club down the line, as opposed to across the line.
To help a golfer improve their alignment, instructors can use a drill where the golfer takes the club away to where it’s parallel to the ground in slow motion. This helps the golfer feel the club square up. Once the pre-swing fundamentals are good, it’s time to introduce some more drills to allow the golfer to feel what they need to do differently to straighten their drive.
Another drill to improve alignment is to keep the trailing elbow pinned to your torso during the backswing and through impact. This helps to keep the club face straight at impact.
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Change your clubface angle
The clubface angle is a crucial factor in remedying a golf slice. A slice occurs when the clubface is open at impact, causing the ball to curve away from the player's dominant hand. For right-handed golfers, this means the ball curves drastically to the right, while for left-handed golfers, it curves to the left.
To remedy a golf slice, it is essential to square the clubface at impact. This can be achieved by adjusting your grip and ensuring your hands are rotated away from the target. For right-handed golfers, this means rotating your hands to the right, and vice versa for left-handed golfers. It is important to adjust more than you think is necessary, as a common misconception is that a ""weak" grip causes an open clubface. Instead, your lead hand should be relaxed and in a natural position, with the thumb off-center and opposing the hand.
Another technique to ensure a square clubface is to focus on your elbow during the backswing. Keeping the trailing elbow pinned to your torso during the backswing and through impact helps to keep the clubface straight. While this may feel unusual, it is an effective method to improve accuracy, especially when you need to be laser-straight.
Additionally, the width and tension of your swing can impact the clubface angle. Maintaining width in your swing can add power, but it is important to understand the difference between width and a straight lead arm. A stiff lead arm can delay the release of the clubface, causing the ball to slice. Practicing swings with your hands split apart can help relax the lead arm and encourage a square clubface at impact.
By focusing on these techniques and making adjustments to your grip, elbow position, and swing width, you can effectively change your clubface angle and remedy a golf slice.
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Practise drills
Practice Drills
- The first step is to evaluate your equipment. Most slicers use a driver with too little loft, so they end up holding it open through impact. Instead, use a driver with more loft so you can release your hands and turn a 10.5 driver into a 9.
- Next, check your grip. Many players use a grip that's too weak, with the thumbs pointing straight down the handle. Make your grip stronger, so your hands are turned away from the target and your palms are parallel to each other.
- One of the most common causes of a slice is an open club face. This can be fixed by turning one or both of your hands away from the target. If you are right-handed, rotate your hands to the right.
- To help you feel the club square up, take the club away slowly to where it's parallel to the ground.
- To avoid a steep downswing, keep your trailing elbow pinned to your torso during the backswing and through impact. This will keep the club face straight at impact.
- To avoid a slice, you need to avoid a steep, over-the-top move on the downswing. This can be caused by a weak grip, which can lead to taking the club too far inside.
- To avoid a weak grip, ensure you can see the knuckle of your index finger on your left hand when you are at your normal address position.
- To avoid an over-the-top move, keep your hands passive and relaxed during the downswing so they don't restrict the forward movement of the club.
- To avoid slicing, swing at 80% power. This will feel lighter, but will help you hit the ball straighter and further.
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Frequently asked questions
A golf slice is a ball that curves away from the player's dominant hand. For a right-handed golfer, this means the ball curves dramatically to the right, and to the left for a left-handed golfer.
There are several reasons why a golf ball may slice. The most common cause is an open clubface at impact, which can be caused by an incorrect grip, an over-the-top swing, or poor alignment. Other causes include a lack of width and tension in the swing, and playing from the side of your non-dominant hand.
To fix a slice, you must first identify its cause. If the issue is an open clubface, ensure your grip is strong and neutral, with your palms parallel to each other. If the issue is an over-the-top swing, try keeping your trailing elbow pinned to your torso during the backswing and through impact. If the issue is alignment, ensure your feet, hips, and shoulders are parallel with the target line.
There are several drills you can practice to prevent a golf slice. One drill is to take the club away to where it is parallel to the ground, which helps the golfer feel the club square up. Another drill is to take practice swings with your hands split apart, which helps to relax the lead arm and deliver a square face at impact.
