Troubleshooting Why Your Drives Go Right
← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes
BLOCKQUOTE_0
Quick Answer
- When your drives consistently veer right, it’s usually a combination of your alignment, ball position, and the clubface angle at impact.
- A weak grip or an outside-to-in swing path are common culprits that contribute to that dreaded slice.
- Getting your setup dialed in – especially your aim and ball placement – is your first line of defense.
Who This Is For
- Golfers who are frustrated with the “big miss” to the right off the tee.
- Anyone looking to add more consistency and control to their drives.
What to Check First for Why Drives Go Right
- Your Aim: Seriously, are you actually aimed where you think you are? Most golfers aim too far right of the target, or their body is aligned right of the target, and then wonder why the ball goes there.
- Ball Position: Where is the ball sitting in your stance? Too far back and you’ll likely hit down on it with an open face. Too far forward and you might struggle to make solid contact.
- Your Grip: This one’s huge. A weak grip means your hands are rotated too far counter-clockwise (for a righty). This makes it super tough to square the clubface.
- Clubface at Impact: This is the direct result of your swing path and grip. Is it open? Closed? You gotta feel what’s happening right at the moment of truth.
Your grip is a critical factor in controlling the clubface. If you suspect your grip might be contributing to your slice, consider using a golf grip trainer to help you find the correct, neutral to strong position.
- 【Correct Hand Placement for Improved Swing Consistency】Helps golfers establish proper hand placement, leading to a more consistent and repeatable golf swing while minimizing grip errors.
- 【Boost Muscle Memory for Better Accuracy】Designed to improve muscle memory, helping you develop better control over your swing and improve shot accuracy.
- 【 Fits Most Standard Golf Clubs】Compatible with all standard golf clubs, including drivers, irons, and wedges. Easy to install and remove for quick setup.
- 【Ideal for Beginners and Intermediate Golfers】Perfect for golfers of all skill levels, especially beginners looking to improve their grip technique and swing fundamentals.
- 【Convenient and Easy to Use Anywhere】Simple to use, making it perfect for practice on the driving range, at home, or wherever you need to train and enhance your game.
Understanding Why Drives Go Right
Let’s cut to the chase. If your drives are heading for the right side of the fairway (or worse), it’s almost always one or a few things happening. The golf ball doesn’t have a mind of its own; it’s reacting to how you swing the club. For a right-handed golfer, a ball that goes right is usually the result of a clubface that’s open relative to your swing path at impact, or a swing path that comes too much from the outside. We’re talking about a slice, plain and simple. It’s a shot that starts somewhere near your intended target and then curves significantly to the right. Sometimes, it starts left and then curves right, which is a pull-hook that’s been reversed. Either way, it’s not what you want.
This isn’t some advanced physics lesson; it’s basic golf mechanics. The clubface at impact dictates the starting direction of the ball, and the relationship between the clubface and your swing path dictates the curve. If your clubface is open to your path, you get rightward spin. If your path is outside-in, you’re essentially cutting across the ball, which also imparts that rightward spin. Most of the time, these issues stem from your setup – your alignment, ball position, and grip. Get those right, and you’re halfway to fixing your rightward drives.
Step-by-Step Plan to Fix Why Drives Go Right
- Align Your Body Like You Mean It: Stand up, point your club at the target. Now, step your feet, hips, and shoulders so they are parallel to the left of that target line. If you’re aiming down the middle of the fairway, your body should be aimed at the left edge of the fairway. Mistake to avoid: Aiming your body directly at the target. This is a recipe for disaster because your natural swing path will likely come from outside, and your open clubface will send it right. I learned this the hard way on hole 7 at Pebble Beach once. Ouch.
- Nail Your Ball Position: For a driver, the ball should be just forward of center, typically off the inside of your lead heel. This promotes hitting the ball on the upswing, which is crucial for distance and a straighter flight. Mistake to avoid: Placing the ball too far back in your stance. This forces you to hit down on the ball, often with an open clubface, leading to that slice.
- Grip It Like You Mean It (But Not Too Tight): Check your grip. For a right-handed golfer, your lead hand (left hand) should be in a neutral to slightly strong position. You should see two to three knuckles on your lead hand when you look down. The “V” formed by your thumb and forefinger should point towards your right shoulder. Mistake to avoid: A weak grip. This is where your lead hand is rotated too far counter-clockwise, making it extremely difficult to close the clubface through impact.
- Swing From the Inside: This is where the swing itself comes into play. Consciously try to feel like your club is coming into the ball from the inside. Imagine swinging towards the right side of the golf course. This “in-to-out” path is what helps counteract an open clubface and promotes a draw or a straight shot. Mistake to avoid: An “outside-in” swing path. This is the classic “over the top” move where you cut across the ball, imparting that nasty slice spin.
- Focus on Clubface Control: At impact, the clubface should be square to your target line. This isn’t something you can consciously force at the last second, but it’s the result of proper alignment, grip, and swing path. Mistake to avoid: Trying to “steer” the ball or manipulate the clubface with your hands at impact. This usually results in an even worse shot. Trust your setup and let the club swing.
- Practice with Purpose: Use alignment sticks on the range. One pointing at your target, the other pointing at where your feet and body should be aligned (parallel left of the target). This visual feedback is invaluable. Mistake to avoid: Just banging balls without a specific focus. You need to work on one thing at a time.
Addressing Why Your Drives Go Right: Common Mistakes
- Incorrect Alignment — You think you’re aimed straight, but your body is actually aimed right of the target, or your clubface is aimed right. This causes shots to start right and often stay right, or start right and then curve further right. — Fix: Use alignment sticks religiously. Place one on your target line and one parallel to it for your feet. Make sure your entire body is aligned parallel left of your intended target.
- Weak Grip — This is a huge offender. A weak grip makes it nearly impossible to square the clubface through impact. It promotes an open clubface, which sends the ball right. — Fix: Strengthen your grip. For a right-handed golfer, rotate your hands slightly clockwise on the club. You should see at least two knuckles on your lead hand.
- Outside-In Swing Path — This is the classic slice swing. You come over the top, cutting across the ball. It imparts left-to-right spin, making the ball curve away from your body. — Fix: Focus on swinging from the inside. Imagine swinging out towards first base (if you’re right-handed). Drills like swinging with a headcover under your trail arm can help promote this.
- Ball Too Far Back in Stance — When the ball is too far back, you’re likely to hit down on it with an open clubface. This is particularly true with the driver. — Fix: Move the ball forward. For your driver, it should be off the inside of your lead heel. This promotes an upward strike.
- Trying to “Fix” the Slice with Your Hands — Many golfers try to consciously close the clubface at the last second. This usually leads to a jerky, uncontrolled swing and often makes the slice worse. — Fix: Trust your setup. Focus on a smooth, full swing and let the club do the work. The clubface should naturally square up if your path and grip are correct.
- Not Taking Enough Practice Swings — You get to the tee, take one half-hearted swing, and then step up and hit. You haven’t felt the correct motion. — Fix: Take at least two practice swings behind the ball, feeling your setup and the desired swing path. Then, replicate that feeling on your actual shot.
- Ignoring Your Setup Routine — Your pre-shot routine is crucial for consistent alignment and ball position. Rushing through it means you’re likely to make setup errors. — Fix: Develop a solid, repeatable pre-shot routine. Take your time, check your alignment, ball position, and grip before every single shot.
FAQ
- What is the most common reason for a golf drive to go right?
The most frequent culprits are poor alignment (aiming too far right or not setting up parallel left of the target) and an open clubface at impact, often caused by a weak grip or an outside-in swing path.
- How does my grip affect my golf drives going right?
A weak grip, where your lead hand is rotated too far counter-clockwise (for righties), makes it significantly harder to square the clubface through impact. This leads to an open face, which sends the ball to the right.
- What is an “outside-in” swing path and how does it cause a slice?
An outside-in swing path means your club comes into the ball from “over the top” of your natural swing arc. This action cuts across the ball, imparting sidespin that makes it curve from left to right (a slice for right-handed golfers).
- Should I aim left if my drives go right?
Yes, if your body is aligned correctly (parallel left of the target), aiming your body in that direction can help compensate for an outside-in swing path. It gives the clubface more time to square up to the ball as it travels through the hitting zone.
- How can I check my ball position easily for my driver?
When setting up to your driver, the ball should be positioned just off the inside of your lead heel. You can feel this by placing your lead heel down and then positioning the ball in line with that spot.
- Is it possible to fix a slice by swinging harder?
No, swinging harder usually exacerbates the problem. It often leads to a rushed swing, an over-the-top move, and an even more open clubface. Focus on technique and tempo, not brute force.
- What’s the difference between a fade and a slice?
A fade is a controlled, gentle curve from right to left (for a righty), often hit intentionally. A slice is an uncontrolled, often severe curve from left to right, caused by an open clubface and/or an outside-in swing path. The mechanics are similar, but the intent and outcome are very different.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.