Like any golf strategy, correcting a slice is a process that takes your time and patience. By working your way through the possible culprits, you will eventually find the cause of your problem. Here are some time-tested tips on correcting a slice.
Right off the bat, most golf drills will not fix a slice. Regardless of your putting and chipping drills, a slice indicates an error with your setup and follow-through. However, there are multiple drills that are specific towards fixing a slice, like a muscle confusion drill or the 3-part drill.
Although there are countless issues that can lead to slicing the ball, some are more common than others. One of the most frequent causes happens during address.
How to Spot a Slice
Typically, the impact with an outside-in swing path and an open club face causes a slice. In other words, early into your downswing, your club is too far away from you.
With right-handed golfers, the tendency runs through hitting the ball towards the right, while left-handed, towards the left. As both types of golfers are susceptible, approximately 90% of players struggle with this process.
Just because it seems to be going towards the right, it doesn’t mean you should adjust and aim left!
Reasons for it occurring vary from player to player. It could be about your upper body, poor alignment, a weak grip or none of these.
It’s time to fix your slice and carry out straight golf shots. Try out each of the following techniques to pinpoint your error.
Check Your Stance
Most golfers prefer a square stance at address; this stance calls for your feet, hips, and shoulders staying in line with the target. Moving and placing your left foot too forward increases the likelihood of your club face to open at impact. This leads to the ball flying towards the right.
Instead, your left foot should be directly under the left shoulder. With your shoulders and hips, the ball will not fly straight and true if they are not square.
Make these changes to see if your slice has been corrected, and if not, continue to the next suspect.
Fix the Grip
If it isn’t about your stance, the next possible step is correcting the grip.
Many recent or aspiring golfers grasp the club too tightly. A tight grip causes the club head to open as it meets the ball and projects a ball flight towards the right.
On the other hand, a loose grip allows the head to wobble at impact and lead to slicing or hooking. A hooked shot usually starts towards the right and abruptly turn to the left due to a counterclockwise sidespin.
Ultimately, your grip on the club should be neutral. How do you know if it’s neutral?
Many right-handed golfers place their left hand too far under the club. When you look down, you should be able to see two or three of your left-hand knuckles. If you cannot see any knuckles at all, this indicates an improper grip. As your hands return to the hitting zone, they will rotate to a neutral position and cause the face to open.
Always remember, rotate your hands — not the club. With just your hands, adjust your grip until you see some knuckles, two or three. Using this newly adjusted grip, try and hit a few balls. Keep in mind, minor adjustments to your grip can go a long, long way.
Keep working on it until you discover the right position and grip for you. Once you have it, remember it! This may just correct that annoying slice.
It’s All in the Swing
Was it not about your grip? The swing tempo plays a vital role as well.
Depending on the arms as the power source to score extra yards is a tendency among many golfers. Spoiler alert! It almost never works.
In this case, when they get to the top of their backswing, they allow their hands to take over and lead the downswing. As the hands come down with everything else following, the club face will undoubtedly open.
As a potential solution, try and keep your right elbow, if you are right-handed, as close to you as possible during the backswing. It may feel uncomfortable and unnatural, but it ensures an optimal swing path.
From start to finish, your swing should be smooth and relaxed. Once you get to the top of your backswing, avoid the temptation to jerk the club. Instead, let your hips initiate the downswing and everything else will follow.
Attention to Your Divot
Now that you’ve tried the previous three techniques, here’s a Hail Mary for correcting your slice. And it’s paying attention to your divot.
Clearly, this is not something you directly adjust. Think of it as an indicator that there is still an error present.
If your divot is pointing too far towards the right, this may be your problem. Again, check your posture at address and ensure that your feet, hips, and shoulders align with the target.
Final Word
Having to deal with a reoccurring slice takes a toll on playing great golf. It hinders your accuracy and optimized distance, and it can even cost your temper and patience.
The beauty of golf lies in a beautiful ball flight — and that requires eliminating a slice.
With that, correcting a slice is a matter of finding the one or two things that you are doing wrong. On top of finding such, it’s all about fixing them and this comes in exchange for your time and patience.
Take note of the golden four: stance, grip, swing, and divot. Whether you correct one or all four, the slice is officially corrected.
Apart from these, check your equipment, specifically ensuring that your shafts don’t have an excessive amount of flex.
If you work through the possible causes, like the four, you will find the solution. From there on, your enjoyment for the game will soar to new levels.
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