Fix That Nasty Slice: 3 Simple Tips to Get Your Driver Back on Track

What Causes a Slice

A slice is caused when the clubface is open relative to the target line at impact. This means the face is pointing to the right of the target for a right-handed golfer. An open clubface imparts sidespin on the ball, causing it to curve dramatically to the right in flight.

There are several swing faults that can lead to an open clubface at impact:

• Coming over the top - swinging out-to-in across the ball will twist the clubface open.
• Casting - releasing the wrists too early will open the face.
• Outward swinging path - swinging too far from the inside with the body will open the face.
• Weak grip - a grip that is too loose or turned to the left will make it hard to square the face.

The main focus for fixing a slice is learning how to return the clubface back to square at impact. This requires making adjustments to the swing path, release, and face orientation during the downswing. Gripping the club properly to eliminate an open clubface is also key.

Grip

One of the most common causes of slicing the ball is having a weak grip. This means your hands are rotated too far counterclockwise on the club. A weak grip causes the clubface to be open at impact, resulting in a slice to the right for right-handed golfers.

To fix this, you need to strengthen your grip by turning your hands more clockwise on the club. Your left hand (lead hand for righties) should have 2-3 knuckles visible on the back of the hand. For your right hand, you want to see 2-3 knuckles on the top of your hand. This stronger grip will help you close the clubface at impact and eliminate that nasty slice.

Be careful not to overdo it though - too strong of a grip can cause hooks and pulls. Find the right balance so the clubface is square at impact. Make incremental changes and check your ball flight. Strengthening your grip often provides instant improvement on the course.

Aim and Alignment

One of the most common causes of a slice is aiming and aligning your body in the wrong direction at address. Many amateur golfers aim their feet, hips, and shoulders directly at the target. However, this sets up a swing path that will likely come across the ball from out-to-in, resulting in a slice.

To compensate for the out-to-in swing path, you need to aim your body to the left of the target. This will feel aimed dramatically left, but it will help you square the clubface at impact. Make sure your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders are all aimed to the left. Use an intermediate target like a tree or marker off in the distance to align your body to. This will feel uncomfortable at first, but it will train your body to swing back straighter and come down less from the outside. Aiming left works for most slicers to get the club moving from the inside and squaring up impact.

Ball Position

The ball position in your stance can have a dramatic effect on your ball flight. If you're slicing the ball, it's likely that your ball position is too far back in your stance. This causes the clubface to be open at impact, resulting in a slice.

To fix this, try moving the ball forward in your stance. For most full shots with a driver, the ball should be positioned just inside your left heel (for right handed golfers). Moving it forward helps you make contact with the ball before the clubface rotates open. It also encourages your swing path to come more from the inside.

Be sure to pay attention to proper ball position before each shot. Place a ball down and align your body behind it. Don't just walk up and hit. Setting your ball position intentionally each time will help groove a consistent swing.

With the ball up in your stance, you may need to make adjustments to your posture so you don't hit down on the ball too steeply. Feel like your sternum is pointed at the ball at address. This will help you brush up on the ball with an ascending blow for proper driver launch.

Give moving the ball forward a try at the driving range. If you're still slicing after a few rounds of adjustment, consider combining it with changes to grip, aim, or swing path as well. But a ball position fix is a great first step to curing that dreaded slice.

Posture

Proper posture is essential for hitting straight shots. Many amateur golfers struggle with a slice because they fail to maintain good posture throughout the swing. The most common posture mistakes are swaying, sliding, or dipping during the backswing.

When setting up, stand tall with your weight evenly distributed and knees slightly flexed. Avoid locking your knees. Keep your torso upright, with your upper body tilted slightly forward from the hips. Don't allow your upper body to dip or sway sideways on the backswing. Maintaining posture keeps your swing on plane and prevents an open clubface at impact.

To prevent swaying, focus on keeping your head still and centered over the ball during the backswing. Your weight should remain balanced between both feet. Don't allow your weight to shift onto your back foot. Keep your trail foot planted throughout the swing. Sliding the hips laterally or swaying off the ball to the right encourages an over-the-top swing path and open clubface.

Proper posture requires core strength and balance. If you struggle with posture, do rotational core exercises and balance drills to improve. Yoga is also great for developing balance and body awareness. With proper posture ingrained, you can minimize your slice.

Backswing

A common cause of slicing is taking the club back too far inside on the backswing. This means the clubhead travels too close to your body as you bring it back, rather than maintaining some width away from your body.

Taking the club back too flat or too inside puts your body in a closed position at the top. Then on the downswing, you have to compensate by coming steeply over the top and swinging out-to-in across the ball. This out-to-in swing path combined with an open clubface produces a slice.

To prevent taking the club back too inside, feel like your hands and arms swing the club back wider. Your hands should hinge naturally, letting the clubhead move outside your hands and arms. Focus on keeping some space between your bicep and chest on the backswing. Don't collapse your arms together or tuck your elbows in too close to your body. This wider backswing will put your body in a better position at the top, making it easier to swing back down on the correct inside-to-out path.

Transition

The transition from backswing to downswing is critical for fixing a slice. As you start the downswing, focus on rotating your body towards the target. This rotation of your hips and torso will get your club on the right path coming into impact.

Many golfers make the mistake of sliding their hips instead of turning them during the transition. This "sliding" move encourages an outside-in club path, resulting in an open clubface and slice. Actively feel your hips and shoulders rotate back to the ball as you start down.

A good thought is to feel like your belt buckle is turning to face the target as you begin the downswing. Don't sway off the ball or let your upper body get ahead of your hips. Maintain your spine angle and let your rotational momentum carry the club down on plane.

Proper sequencing here sets you up for an inside approach into the ball for solid impact. Take some practice swings to get the feel of driving your body rotation from the ground up. When you can make a fluid turning motion back to the ball, you'll be on your way to eliminating that nasty slice.

Downswing

A common cause of slicing is coming too far from the inside on the downswing. This causes the clubface to be open at impact, resulting in a slice to the right for right handed golfers.

To fix this, focus on swinging the club back towards the target on the downswing. Imagine there is a large metal pole directly in front of you that you have to swing around. This will encourage an inside-out swing path and prevent the clubface from opening up.

Some tips for an inside-out downswing:

• Feel like your hands and clubhead drop straight down towards the ground first before starting the downswing. This gets you on the correct inside path.
• Initiate the downswing by firing your hips and core muscles first before your arms and shoulders. This retains your spine angle and swing plane.
• Keep your head and upper body behind the ball during the downswing. Don't sway laterally or rise up out of your posture.
• Swing the clubhead on a slight upward angle through impact, like you're hitting a ball on a tee. This encourages an inside-out path.
• Keep your elbows tucked in close to your sides as you swing down. Avoid letting them flare out away from your body.
• Feel like you are swinging around your body in the downswing, not swaying your body towards the target.

With some practice and focus on these inside-out swing techniques, you can eliminate that nasty slice once and for all.

Impact

Impact is the moment of truth in the golf swing, and the main cause of slices is an open clubface at impact. An open clubface refers to the clubface pointing left of the target at impact rather than squarely at the target. This imparts sidespin on the ball, causing it to curve dramatically to the right (for right-handed golfers).

To fix your slice, you must learn to square the clubface to your target at impact. Here are some tips:

• Focus on keeping your hands and clubface square through impact. Don't let your hands roll over or release too early.
• Feel like you are hitting the ball straight back at the target rather than swinging out to the right.
• Place an object like a tee peg or coin just in front of the ball and try to hit it squarely with the clubface. This trains impact position.
• Check your grip. A grip that is too weak can cause an open clubface.
• Use impact tape on the clubface to clearly see if the clubface is open or closed at impact.

Mastering a square clubface position is crucial for straight shots. Ingraining the proper feel through practice and drills will help you overcome your slice.

Equipment

The equipment you use can contribute to slicing the ball. Here are some key equipment factors that can influence slice:

Loft

Using a driver with too little loft can exacerbate slicing. Most drivers have a loft between 9 and 13 degrees. Using a driver with lower loft decreases the backspin on the ball, which can promote more sidespin and slicing. Consider using a driver with at least 10.5 degrees of loft if you struggle with slicing.

Shaft Flex

Using a shaft that is too stiff for your swing speed can also lead to slicing. Stiff shafts don't load and unload as much during the swing, reducing clubhead speed. This means less backspin is imparted on the ball, allowing sidespin to take over. Using a more flexible shaft that matches your tempo and transition can help reduce slice.

Club Length

An overlong driver can make it harder to control the clubface through impact. Standard driver length is around 45 inches, but going shorter by 0.5-1 inch can give you more control and reduce slice. The shorter length allows for more consistent clubface closure in the downswing and impact.