Understanding What A Slice Is
The slice shot is when the ball path starts left of the target then dramatically bends to the right, for left-handers it is the opposite (right to left). Its caused by an open club face at impact. This is the most common miss-hit by amature golfers, and can be frustrating at times to correct.
1. Ball Position
One of the easiest and quickest fixes is the placement of the ball in your stance. If the ball is positioned too far forward at address, it is nearly impossible to square you club face at the point of impact resulting in striking the ball with an open club face causing the all too familiar sliced ball path. Try moving the ball further back in your stance, closer to the middle.
2. Grip
This is another easy fix. Gripping the club too tightly or having a "weak" grip can lead to slicing the ball. On a scale of 1-10 you should grip the club around a 4. Think of the club as a tube of toothpaste (cap off). You want to grip it tight enough so the tube doesn't fall out if you swing your arm but not tight enough that toothpaste comes out. Another analogy I have heard is to think of the club as a baby rabbit. You want to hold it tight enough that it wont get away but not tight enough to hurt it. Make sure that most of your pressure is on the last 3 figures of your left hand and the thumb and index finger on your right hand (opposite if left-handed). Having a "weak" grip will also cause a slice. If your thumb on your left hand (right if lefty) is more on top or to the left of the shaft, try rotating your hand clockwise. You should be able to see 3 knuckles on your left hand if gripping the club correctly.
3. Stance
When you tend to slice your ball, some golfers will start aiming more left to try and correct a slice. This is a big no no. Make sure you are properly aiming when addressing the ball. If you aim left you can cause your swing arc to become to far left, only making your slice worst. Place a club on the ground parallel to your aiming line. Your knees, feet, and hips should all be parallel to the club and your aiming line.
4. Backswing
Bringing your club up too high in your backswing can cause an out-to-in swing path which will result in a slice. This is usually caused by not rotating your shoulders back enough. When you stop your rotation short, your tend you use your arms and hands more in the downswing and end up under rotating leaving the club face open. To fix this, rotate your shoulders back more on your backswing. At the top of your backswing your back should be facing the target. If its not you are under rotating. With a full rotation you will create the proper weight shift causing you to swing less with your arms.
5. Swing Path
An outside-in swing path will cause you to slice every time. To fix this use this simple drill. Place an empty water bottle or club head cover 4 or 5 inches behind the ball and 2 inches outside. Place another water bottle or club head 4 or 5 inches in front of the ball and 2 inches inside. This will force you to swing inside-out to avoid hitting the bottles or covers. Another tip to fix this swing path is to tee up the ball with the logo on the back, inside quarter of the ball. Aim for this spot on the ball and this will create an inside-out path.
The slice shot is when the ball path starts left of the target then dramatically bends to the right, for left-handers it is the opposite (right to left). Its caused by an open club face at impact. This is the most common miss-hit by amature golfers, and can be frustrating at times to correct.
1. Ball Position
One of the easiest and quickest fixes is the placement of the ball in your stance. If the ball is positioned too far forward at address, it is nearly impossible to square you club face at the point of impact resulting in striking the ball with an open club face causing the all too familiar sliced ball path. Try moving the ball further back in your stance, closer to the middle.
2. Grip
This is another easy fix. Gripping the club too tightly or having a "weak" grip can lead to slicing the ball. On a scale of 1-10 you should grip the club around a 4. Think of the club as a tube of toothpaste (cap off). You want to grip it tight enough so the tube doesn't fall out if you swing your arm but not tight enough that toothpaste comes out. Another analogy I have heard is to think of the club as a baby rabbit. You want to hold it tight enough that it wont get away but not tight enough to hurt it. Make sure that most of your pressure is on the last 3 figures of your left hand and the thumb and index finger on your right hand (opposite if left-handed). Having a "weak" grip will also cause a slice. If your thumb on your left hand (right if lefty) is more on top or to the left of the shaft, try rotating your hand clockwise. You should be able to see 3 knuckles on your left hand if gripping the club correctly.
3. Stance
When you tend to slice your ball, some golfers will start aiming more left to try and correct a slice. This is a big no no. Make sure you are properly aiming when addressing the ball. If you aim left you can cause your swing arc to become to far left, only making your slice worst. Place a club on the ground parallel to your aiming line. Your knees, feet, and hips should all be parallel to the club and your aiming line.
4. Backswing
Bringing your club up too high in your backswing can cause an out-to-in swing path which will result in a slice. This is usually caused by not rotating your shoulders back enough. When you stop your rotation short, your tend you use your arms and hands more in the downswing and end up under rotating leaving the club face open. To fix this, rotate your shoulders back more on your backswing. At the top of your backswing your back should be facing the target. If its not you are under rotating. With a full rotation you will create the proper weight shift causing you to swing less with your arms.
5. Swing Path
An outside-in swing path will cause you to slice every time. To fix this use this simple drill. Place an empty water bottle or club head cover 4 or 5 inches behind the ball and 2 inches outside. Place another water bottle or club head 4 or 5 inches in front of the ball and 2 inches inside. This will force you to swing inside-out to avoid hitting the bottles or covers. Another tip to fix this swing path is to tee up the ball with the logo on the back, inside quarter of the ball. Aim for this spot on the ball and this will create an inside-out path.
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