How to Fix A Golf Slice in 3 Easy Steps
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Let’s be honest we all slice the ball, and when we do it can be ever so be frustrating. The unfortunate reality is that slicing the ball is very common and a majority of golfer’s struggle with it each year. However, the truth is that a slice can really hurt your golf game. This is because a slice can cause you to lose accuracy, distance, and most importantly your mental game. But don’t worry we created this guide to help you get rid of your that pesky slice, and with a few simple changes you too can begin hitting the ball straight and far down the fairway every time.
What Exactly is a Golf Slice?
For right handed golfers a slice is really any shot that curves very hard to the right when in the air. For left handed golfers it is flipped, and it occurs when a shot curves very hard to the left when in the air.
What Causes a Slice?
The slice occurs when a golfer has poor grip on the club, an improper setup, and an outside-in swing path. What is an outside-in swing path? This is when the golfer reaches too far out on their down swing, which then causes their club to come down on the outside of the target line of the ball. When this occurs it forces the golfer to pull the club head in closer into them in order to hit the ball. Which in turn causes the club face to point to the right of the target at impact.
How to Fix a Golf Slice?
Get the Right Driver
Many golfers who are slicing the ball are using the wrong driver. Instead of using a driver with a greater loft of the club face, they are using a driver with very little loft. Many amateur golfers are not aware that there is a very clear relationship between the length and loft of a club to its accuracy. The longer and less lofted a club is the greater the chance that you will not hit the ball straight. A perfect example of this relationship can be found with the driver.
A driver’s shaft length is usually between 43-46 inches long. This greater shaft length will produce a significant amount of “lag” during the downswing. This “lag” is caused by the club head trailing behind the handle of the club due to the flexing of the shaft. So, the longer the club shaft, the longer it will take for the shaft to unflex and the longer it will take for the club face to not trail behind the handle. If this “lag” remains at the time of impact, the clubface will be open and cause a slice. As for loft, a degree or two can make a huge difference. The more loft on a clubface, the more time until the hitting area reaches the ball. This gives the golfer precious time to square up the club before impact. Most divers have just 9-12″ of loft, so there is very little room for error.
Many golfers who are slicing the ball are using the wrong driver. Instead of using a driver with a greater loft of the club face, they are using a driver with very little loft. Many amateur golfers are not aware that there is a very clear relationship between the length and loft of a club to its accuracy. The longer and less lofted a club is the greater the chance that you will not hit the ball straight. A perfect example of this relationship can be found with the driver. If you are not sure if you are holding the golf club properly, here is an exercise that can help.
Fix Your Grip on the Club
Golf slices also occur because many amateur golfers do not grip a golf club correctly. They either grip the golf club too strong or too weak. A proper golf grip is one of the best ways you get more control over your shots. Note: For players that are right handed, grip the club in your left hand first. This will be opposite if you are a left-handed golfer.
- Position the grip of the club mainly on the fingers of your left hand.
- With the golf club on the ground, you should be able to see at least two of the knuckles on your left hand as you look down the shaft of the club. Now to help remedy your slice you should try to see at least three of your knuckles on your left hand instead of two.
- The “V” formed by your left index finger and thumb should be pointing towards your right shoulder.
- Now place your right-hand grip on top of the left so that they complement one another.
There you have it, the proper way to hold a golf club. This type of golf grip will help you keep the face of the club in the correct position all the way through impact with the golf ball, stop you from coming over the top of the ball, and will contribute significantly to eliminating your slice.
An Easy Practice Drill that will Help Fix Your Golf Slice
Step 1: Make a Backward Loop
- Make sure you are gripping the golf club correctly.
- Get in your normal golf stance and set the ball just inside your front heal.
- Place the club head in front of the ball, not behind as you would normally.
- Make a slow circle with your hands, swinging the club toward the ball and then over the ball.
- Only focus on making a nice circular loop.
Step 2: Lift and Turn Your Body
- Once you have Step 1 down, you can now incorporate the shoulder turn.
- To begin, start with the clubhead behind the ball not in front of the ball like we did in Step 1.
- Lift the club over your head until your hands are now in front of your face.
- Turn your shoulders back, and while keeping it on the plane you have established swing it over the ball.
Step 3: Turn Your Body and Release
- Once you have Step 1 and Step 2 down, it’s now time to go from practice drill to a real golf swing.
- Lift the club into a 2/3 position backswing with your left arm in front of your chest.
- Then make a full backswing turn and go from swinging over the ball to actually hitting the ball.
- As you practice you will feel the backward loop from Step 1, and you should start to see a right-to-left ball flight.
Final Words
Golf is a great and slicing the ball is quite common for all golfers, and can really take a tole on your mental game, especially when on the tee box. However, by using the above techniques you too can begin to have better control over your shots, and hit the ball straight each and every time.
