How to Eliminate a Slice in Golf
By Sandy Retsky
A clockwise spin on a golf shot makes the ball curve from left to right, which is called a slice. This is commonly caused by an open clubface with either a straight or outside-in swing path. To eliminate a slice, you will need to correct your swing path and clubface. Your goal is to develop a simple swing that you can easily repeat.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Check your body setup. Place a club on the ground, aiming the shaft towards the target. The club shaft is the target line. Align your shoulders, chest, hips, knees and feet parallel to the target line at setup and impact. There is more than one "correct" distance between your feet (try shoulder width) and ball position relative to your feet (try inside left heel).
Check your club setup. There are three possible clubface positions: open (facing right of the target line), square (perpendicular to the target line) or closed (facing left of the target line). You want your clubface position to be square at setup and impact. The sole of your club should be flat on the ground.
Check your grip. Grip the club firmly, not tight or loose. Try the overlapping grip. Although the grip is not the primary focus here, it is important that your grip controls your clubface position at setup and impact. A loose grip can open the clubface at impact, causing a slice.
Check your swing. There are three possible clubhead paths: inside-out, straight and outside-in. You want your clubhead path to be straight (parallel to the target line) at setup and impact. Your swing controls your clubhead path.
Practice on a driving range. The flight of the ball gives you instant feedback. Make adjustments to hit a solid, straight shot. Start with an easy swing and gradually swing harder as you feel more comfortable.
Tips & Warnings
Look at your swing on a regular basis. Most digital cameras record videos, so ask a fellow golfer to take a video from both a side and back view.
Once a golfer hits a slice, he typically tries to prevent the next shot from curving to the right by swinging to the left (creating an outside-in swing path), but this makes the slice worse.
About The Author
Sandy Retsky caddied at Baltusrol in Springfield, NJ and owned a software consulting business in New York, NY. He is a partner at Reverie Winery in Napa Valley and Butterfly restaurant in San Francisco. He has been writing for golflink.com since early 2009.
