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How to Cure a Slice with Your Driver

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes


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Quick Answer

  • Square up that clubface at impact. Aim for neutral or just a hair closed.
  • Get your swing path going from the inside, not cutting across.
  • Your grip might be the culprit. Check if it’s too weak.

Who This Driver Slice Cure is For

  • Any golfer tired of watching their drives veer off to the right, like a lost dog.
  • Players ready to add some serious accuracy and distance to their tee shots.

What to Check First for Driver Slice Correction

  • Your Grip: This is huge. Is your left hand (for righties) rotated too far counter-clockwise? That’s a weak grip, and it’s a prime suspect for a slice [1]. The Vs formed by your thumbs and index fingers should point more towards your right shoulder.
  • Clubface at Address: Take a look at your driver at setup. Does the clubface look like it’s pointing way off to the right? That’s an open face, and it’s begging for a slice.
  • Ball Position: Where’s that ball sitting in your stance? Too far back can force you to hit down and across. It should be forward, generally off the inside of your lead heel.
  • Swing Path Awareness: This one’s tougher without a coach, but try to feel where the club is coming from. Are you swinging at the ball, or through it from the inside?

Step-by-Step Plan to Cure a Slice with Your Driver

  • Action: Adjust your grip. What to look for: Rotate your left hand (for righties) clockwise on the club until you see at least two to three knuckles on your left hand when looking down. For your right hand, rotate it counter-clockwise until the V points more between your right ear and shoulder. Mistake to avoid: Keeping a weak grip that forces your hands to try and square the face late in the swing. A stronger grip helps the club naturally rotate closed [1].
  • Action: Set up with a neutral or slightly closed clubface. What to look for: When you set your grip, check that the clubface is square to your target line, or even slightly closed. It shouldn’t look like it’s pointing way off to the right. Mistake to avoid: Over-closing the face at address. This can lead to compensations and a hook later. Focus on the impact position.
  • Action: Practice making swings with an in-to-out path. What to look for: Feel like the club is approaching the ball from the inside of the target line and swinging out towards the right (for righties). Imagine swinging towards first base. Mistake to avoid: Swinging across the ball from out-to-in. This is the classic slice motion that cuts across the ball.
  • Action: Focus on body rotation through impact. What to look for: Your hips and chest should be rotating through the shot. Feel like your body is unwinding towards the target. Mistake to avoid: Trying to steer the ball with your hands and arms. This often leads to an open face and an outside swing path. Let your big muscles lead.
  • Action: Tee the ball up higher. What to look for: Get the top half of the ball above the crown of your driver. This encourages you to hit the ball on the upswing. Mistake to avoid: Teeing the ball too low. This can lead to hitting down on the ball, which often promotes an out-to-in swing path.
  • Action: Visualize the clubface closing. What to look for: At impact, feel like your forearms are rotating and the clubface is turning over to face the target. Imagine your left palm (for righties) turning down towards the ground. Mistake to avoid: Holding the face open through impact. This is the direct cause of the ball starting right and curving further right.

How to Cure a Slice with Your Driver: Common Mistakes

  • Weak Grip — Leads to an open clubface at impact, sending the ball right — Strengthen your grip by rotating both hands clockwise (for righties). This allows the clubface to naturally close through impact.
  • Open Clubface at Impact — The ball starts right and curves even further right — Focus on actively rotating your forearms through the hitting zone. Think of your hands and arms working together to square the face.
  • Out-to-In Swing Path — You’re cutting across the ball, causing it to slice — Practice swinging from the inside. Use alignment sticks to help guide your club on the correct path. Imagine swinging towards the ball’s intended target line, but from the inside.
  • Trying to “Steer” the Ball — Leads to tension and an uncontrolled slice — Trust your body’s rotation. Let your core and hips initiate the downswing and turn through the shot. Your hands should follow the body’s lead.
  • Incorrect Ball Position — Can promote an out-to-in path and a weak grip at impact — Ensure the ball is positioned forward in your stance, typically off the inside of your lead heel. This helps you hit the ball on the upswing with a more neutral path.
  • Over-the-Top Move — The club comes from outside the target line on the downswing — Focus on feeling your hips lead the downswing and keeping your hands “behind” your body as you start down. This encourages an inside approach.
  • Not Practicing the Feel — Relying on conscious thought rather than muscle memory — Spend time on the range just grooving the feeling of a neutral grip and an in-to-out swing. Slow, deliberate swings are your friend here.

FAQ for Driver Slice Cures

  • What exactly is a golf slice? A slice is a shot that curves significantly from left to right for a right-handed golfer (or right to left for a lefty). It’s caused by a combination of an open clubface at impact and an out-to-in swing path [2]. It’s like the ball is trying to escape your intended line.
  • How does a weak grip lead to a slice? A weak grip means your hands are rotated too far counter-clockwise on the club. This makes it much harder to naturally rotate your hands and square the clubface through impact. Consequently, the face is often left open, sending the ball slicing.
  • Can my ball position really cause a slice? Absolutely. If the ball is too far back in your stance, you’re more likely to hit down on it and across the ball. This encourages an out-to-in swing path, which is a primary driver of slices. Placing it forward helps you hit up on it.
  • Should I try to close the clubface at address to fix my slice? No, that’s a common trap. You shouldn’t manipulate the clubface at address. The goal is a neutral or slightly closed face at impact. This is achieved through your grip and swing mechanics, not by twisting the clubface before you swing.
  • What’s the best way to practice curing my driver slice? Start on the driving range with a bucket of balls. Focus on making slow, deliberate swings. Work on feeling the correct grip and the sensation of swinging from the inside. Use alignment sticks to help visualize your target line and the path you want to take. Don’t just bash balls; practice with intent.
  • I’ve strengthened my grip, but I’m still slicing. What’s next? If your grip is solid and you’re still slicing, the issue is almost certainly your swing path. You’re likely still coming over the top or cutting across the ball. Focus on the feeling of swinging through the ball from the inside, and ensure your body is rotating properly to help facilitate this.
  • Does clubhead speed affect a slice? While not the direct cause, a faster swing speed can exaggerate the effects of an open face and an out-to-in path. If you’re swinging hard with a slice, that ball is going to go way right. Fixing the underlying mechanics will allow you to swing faster with more control.

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