Whether you're tired of banana balls wrecking your score or frustrated with slicing off the tee, this comprehensive guide combines expert insights from GOLF Top 100 Teacher Kellie Stenzel with additional tips to help you fix a slice forever. In five simple steps, we'll cover what a slice is, why it's detrimental to your game, its causes, and how to eliminate it. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a beginner, this guide provides actionable steps to regain control, distance, and confidence from the tee.
A slice is a golf shot that curves excessively to the right (for right-handers) or to the left (for left-handers). This article delves into the two versions of a slice: the classic slice and the push slice, explaining the impact each has on your game and why a slice is considered a weak and uncontrollable shot.
Classic slice: The ball initiates its trajectory to the left of the intended target or start line and subsequently undergoes excessive curvature to the right, ultimately finishing significantly to the right of the target.
Push slice: The ball commences its path to the right of the intended start line or target and proceeds to veer even further to the right, ultimately missing well to the right of the intended target.
Discover the various reasons why a slice can significantly hinder your golf game, from its lack of power and control to the difficulty in aiming and the loss of distance. Learn how a slice can negatively affect your overall score and why it can be an expensive aspect of your golf game.
The primary cause of a slice is an open clubface in relation to the swing path at impact. Understand the degrees of openness and how it correlates to the severity of the slice. Sometimes, it could be you are pulling too much on your downswing.
To fix a slice, strengthen your grip by rotating your hands slightly to the right, position the ball closer to the lead foot's heel, and focus on minimizing wrist extension during the swing. Emphasize body rotation over pulling down on the handle during the downswing, maintain an athletic posture, and practice hitting the ball slightly off-center towards the toe(further side) for improved contact. Consistent practice, gradual progression through clubs, and monitoring wrist angles through our feature, Wrist Zoom, will contribute to correcting the slice.
Understand the significance of practicing at half or three-quarter speed when trying to correct a slice. Golf is a rhythmic sports, so try to speak out "One, two" for backswing and "Threeee" during downswing and follow-through to evenly phase yourself. You should start from wedges, then short irons, mid-irons, and drivers to ingrain the new swing path effectively. Learn how to dial in the desired amount of right-to-left curve and what to do if you find yourself slicing again during practice sessions. Keep a close eye on your swing path and try to lower the angle relative to the ground.
Explore fundamental checks to make during a round if your swing goes off course. Review essential aspects such as grip, clubface position, wrist alignment, forearm release, and posture. Understand that it's okay for swings to go sideways during a round and learn how to quickly rectify the fundamentals.
Learning a golf swing is an endless journey! Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, these tips offer valuable insights into mastering your drive and eliminating the dreaded slice from your game. You can download our app by clicking here.
Bon Voyage!
