The phrase “slicing the golfball” just hurts to say or even think. The simple thought of it can ruin your golf round. So, how do you fix a slice? That is the age-old question. One with many answers and even more opinions. Like most issues in golf and life in general, learning how to fix a slice is easier than you may think.
I will walk you through the simple easy to follow steps to fix your slice. Whatever your club of choice, be it driver or iron, the solve is the same. No need to have a unique set of steps for each. We’re not butterflies, we’re golfers.
What is a Slice?
Alright, seriously, I know you know what a slice is or you wouldn’t be here. But, I love this stuff, so will you just humor me for a minute?
Slicing the golf ball is the extreme movement of the golf ball to the right for right-handed golfers and to the left for left-handed golfers.
This type of shot is unexpected, not planned, and dangerous anywhere on the golf course. It will take you to a hazard faster than you can yell…FORE!
7 Causes of a Slice: You’re Doing at Least One, Maybe all Seven
1. Improper aiming of both the club and body.
Your club is aimed right at the flag, but your feet/body are aimed way left of the flag. Result…slice.
2. Weak grip of club.
Left hand too far on the side of your club – not allowing you to fully rotate during impact. Your club is left open. Result… slice.
3. Open club face at impact.
You are aiming at the flag but during impact your club does not come all the way back square to the ball, meaning it was left open. Result… slice.
4. Ball too far back in stance.
Your ball position is towards the back of your stance. During your downswing, you cannot finish full rotation so you have premature impact. This is especially true with your river. This is the longest club in the bag, typically 46”. Need enough room to fully rotate. Result… slice.
5. Unnatural wrist hinge.
Some golfers purposely bend their wrists in backswing so they can unhinge it during impact for more “power.” This is bad golfing. It doesn’t work. Doing this produces more error not more power. Result… slice.
6. Inside out swing plane.
An inside-out swing plane is when you swing your club out to the right then come across left during impact causing unnecessary spin on the ball. Result… slice.
7. Faulty Planning.
Aiming left to accommodate for your slice. This is setting yourself up for failure. Golf is as much mental as physical, maybe even more so. If you cannot get your mind in alignment with your body and game, then the result is…you guessed it, slice.
How to Fix a Slice?
Keeping it simple is the key to fixing a slice. Focusing on the basics, while embracing the fundamentals are the secrets to saying goodbye to your slice.
The three main checkpoints of fixing your slice are,
Grip,
Stance/Aim,
Square Club Face.
Grip
The single most important part of any proper golf swing is grip. So it’s safe to say, it’s also the most crucial step in fixing your slice. The way you hold your club directly affects the position of your clubface.
Most of us have two hands that hold the golf club. Proper position of each hand is equally important. Your left hand should grip the club in the palm, with two knuckles showing and the “V” your thumb and pointer finger make, pointing to your right shoulder.
Your right hand can be put into three different positions. Neutral, Strong, and Weak. Typically one that slices the golf ball has a weak grip, causing the clubface to be open at impact.
If you have been slicing the golf ball, take care to avoid a neutral or weak grip. Making sure you have a strong grip is paramount to fixing your slice. A strong grip means to rotate your right hand around toward the Sid of the shaft, or to the side of your left hand. See Pic below.
This hand position will produce better rotation of the clubhead at impact. This will help square the clubface, which will aid in straighter ball flight.
Stance/Aim
Your aim line should be parallel left of you target line.
What do I mean?
Imagine looking down a long stretch of railroad. Do you have it in your head? The right track is your target line, or better yet where your ball is teed up. The left track is your alignment line or where your feet and body are aiming. This is why I say parallel left. Your feet alignment and target line will never cross, just like the railroad tracks.
CAUTION! Do not be fooled into thinking “if I aim left enough, then my ball will end up where I want it to go.” This is not fixing your slicing problem. It is overcompensation and is only a feeble attempt to accommodate for it.
Aiming left and thinking your ball will slice to the middle of the fairway will not work. What happens if you actually square the clubface while aiming left? You guessed it, ball goes left. Far left. Far-in-the-woods left or three-fairways-over left.
Never plan to fail. This is not a healthy approach to your golf game. Plan for success. Get your body, mind, and club working together.
Square Club Face
If you’ve taken care to address the first two steps, squaring your clubface should be a piece of cake. Squaring the clubface is a natural occurrence after proper grip and stance/aim setup are achieved.
Think about it this way… Whatever is done in your backswing must be undone in your downswing. Pause and let that sink in. Remember, you read it here first.
What I mean is this: If your wrist hinges during your backswing, then it must unhinge in your downswing. You’ll likely hear some people say to break your wrist at the apex of your backswing, then unhinge it during your downswing right before impact to create more of a whipping action during impact, but I believe this is ineffective and counterproductive. Just one more step to think about and to be undone in your swing. So say it will add clubhead speed resulting in more distance. I say the risk outweighs the reward.
If you let your wrist and hands move naturally during your backswing they will rotate and not hinge. What sounds easier? To allow your body the freedom to naturally undo what has been done? Or try and manipulate a bend or hinge in your wrist during your backswing, then attempt to undo that in your downswing at just the right time?
It will always be easier and more consistent to let your hands/wrist naturally rotate durning your backswing.
Remember, proper golf grip and proper golf stance will allow you to naturally square your club face at impact.
Closing Thoughts on How to Fix a Slice
I want to encourage you to know yourself.
Know your tendencies. Work on fixing them with the three steps we just discussed.
Don’t listen to Tom, Dick, and Harry about all the tricks, secrets, and shenanigans they do to fix their slice. I am sure one of those dudes is aiming left as we talk. You’ll never find a quick fix as powerful and effective as perfecting the fundamentals.
Also, know that what is good for some is not good for others. Know yourself, Grasshopper. Work on proper golf grip, proper golf stance, and squaring your clubface. Not only will your slice improve, your number of errant golf shots will significantly lessen as well.
If you want to lower your score, golf better, and beat your friends, it’s time for real change. Don’t let your slice plague you any more. Pull up your bootstraps, or should I say tie up your golf shoes, show a little swagger, and fix that slice. I believe you can.
Let’s golf! And remember to have a Parvelous round!
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