| The slice is the most common fault in golf and in this | | | | slice. Ensure that your clubface is aligned square to |
| article I plan to explore what causes a golf slice and | | | | the ball-to target line. |
| how to cure it. | | | | Possible Cause During The Swing. |
| The slice is an uncontrolled shot that causes the ball | | | | Poor weight transfer. |
| to curve off to the right of the ball-to-target line, | | | | If you are not transferring your weight from your |
| causing a loss of both direction and distance. | | | | back foot to the front (target) your clubface will be |
| Most slices are the result of an unintentional out-to-in | | | | open through impact. |
| swing path, though other faults may also produce | | | | Use the famous Gary Player "down the fairway" drill, |
| slicing. Whatever the swing path, the clubface always | | | | where you play your shot and take a step forward |
| moves across the ball from far right to near left | | | | on your follow through and walk after the ball. |
| (right handed players). This causes the ball to spin in a | | | | Another drill is the stepping drill whereby you grossly |
| clockwise direction, which moves the ball from left to | | | | exaggerate your weight transfer by lifting your front |
| right as it flies through the air. | | | | leg on the backswing, shifting all your weight on to |
| Faults that lead to a slice occur at either the address | | | | the back foot and then stepping on the front foot |
| position or during the swing itself. | | | | and lifting the back foot on the downswing and |
| Possible Causes During Set-up. | | | | follow through. Try it, it works. |
| Bad Grip. | | | | Also very effective is to swing with your eyes close |
| A club that is held too tightly creates tension in the | | | | and concentrate on the weight shift. Do not worry |
| arms and can cause the player to have an out-to-in | | | | about the ball when using this drill. |
| swing. Try to relax your grip by imagining you are | | | | Club follows an out-to-in path (points to left of target |
| holding a little bird. You don't want to squeeze it to | | | | at top of back swing). |
| death but at the same time you don't want it to | | | | With your club in this position you will have an |
| escape. | | | | out-to-in swing path. |
| Having a "weak grip". A weak grip tends to cause an | | | | Use the following drill to cure this. Address the ball as |
| open clubface at address. If this is your problem try | | | | normal and then raise the club about 18 inches above |
| turning both hands clockwise on the club. | | | | the ball so it is hovering directly above it. Make a |
| Alignment. | | | | backswing that is not pulled quickly inside. Note the |
| May be open, which promotes slicing, or closed, which | | | | angle of the plane going back. Now make a forward |
| promotes an over the top swing. Align your feet and | | | | swing in which the plane is under or shallower than |
| shoulders so that they are parallel to the ball to | | | | the backswing plane. A "back - under, back - under" |
| target line. | | | | routine. Lower the club to the ball and repeat. |
| Ball Position. | | | | Upper body tension. |
| Do not place the ball too far forward, this is a | | | | This is probably caused by gripping the club too tight. |
| common fault which causes the shoulders to open | | | | See above for holding a bird. Also relax the tension in |
| and promotes an outside-to-in swing path. | | | | the arms. |
| Move the ball back in your stance, but still forward of | | | | I trust that this article has helped you understand |
| center, so that when you set the club down your | | | | what causes a golf slice and how to cure it. It won't |
| shoulders are parallel with the ball-to-target line. | | | | happen overnight but if you practice the above drills |
| Clubface angle. | | | | you will soon find yourself playing golf without slicing. |
| An open clubface at address will cause the ball to | | | | |