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Fixing Your Golf Slice

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes


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Quick answer

  • Adjust your grip to a more neutral or slightly stronger position.
  • Focus on swinging the club from the inside to out through impact.
  • Ensure your clubface is square to the target at the moment of truth.

Who this is for

  • Golfers who consistently see their ball curve from left to right, costing them strokes and frustration.
  • Anyone looking to hit straighter, longer shots and improve their overall game, making golf more enjoyable.

What to check first for how to fix your slice

  • Your Grip: Is it too weak? This is a big one. Your hands should feel like they’re turned slightly to the right (for right-handed golfers). A weak grip is like trying to hold a shovel with your palm facing straight up – it’s hard to control.
  • Your Stance: Are your feet, hips, and shoulders aligned with the target? Sometimes you’re aiming left and swinging straight, which looks like a slice but is actually a straight shot to the wrong place. Always check your alignment.
  • Your Swing Path: Are you coming “over the top”? This is a classic culprit, making you cut across the ball like you’re trying to chop down a tree. It’s a major slice producer.
  • Clubface at Impact: Is it wide open? Even with a decent path, an open face will send it right, no matter what. It’s like trying to hit a baseball with the bat turned sideways.
  • Setup and Posture: Are you slouching or standing too far from the ball? Your setup affects everything that follows. A good athletic stance is key.

Step-by-step plan to fix your slice

1. Adjust Your Grip.

  • Action: Rotate your hands slightly to the right on the club. For a right-handed golfer, this means your left hand moves a bit counter-clockwise, and your right hand a bit clockwise. You should see more knuckles on your left hand when you look down. Think of it as turning your hands “down” the target line.
  • What to look for: A grip that feels more secure and less like you’re going to lose the club. Your V’s (formed by thumb and forefinger) on both hands should point more towards your trail shoulder. It should feel strong, not weak.
  • Mistake to avoid: Gripping too weakly. This is the most common mistake and leads directly to an open clubface at impact. If your hands are too far left (for righties), the face will naturally stay open.

2. Focus on an Inside-to-Out Swing Path.

  • Action: During your downswing, feel like you’re swinging the clubhead towards the ball and then continuing out towards the right of your target. Imagine drawing a line from the ball out to the right, and make sure your swing is following that line. Really feel like you’re releasing the club out towards the ball.
  • What to look for: A feeling of width in your swing and that the club is approaching the ball from the inside. You should feel like you’re swinging “under” the ball rather than “over” it.
  • Mistake to avoid: Swinging too far across the ball (out-to-in). This is the classic slice motion where the club comes from outside the target line and cuts across the ball. It’s like trying to cut a slice of cake from the outside edge.

3. Practice the “Pump Drill.”

  • Action: Take your normal backswing. At the top, pause briefly. Then, start your downswing by feeling that inside-to-out path. Make a partial swing, just to where you’d normally hit the ball, and then stop. Repeat this several times, focusing on the feeling of the club coming from the inside. I do this one on the range all the time; it’s a real feel builder.
  • What to look for: A smooth transition from the top and a clear feeling of swinging to the right of the target. You should feel the club “dropping” into the slot rather than rushing down.
  • Mistake to avoid: Rushing the downswing. This drill is all about feeling the correct sequence and path. If you just swing through, you’re missing the point.

4. Ensure a Square Clubface at Impact.

  • Action: As you swing through the ball, actively feel like you’re turning your forearms over to square the clubface. Think about the toe of the club passing the heel. It’s a subtle but crucial rotation. Don’t fight it; let it happen naturally with your stronger grip.
  • What to look for: The feeling of the clubface “releasing” and meeting the ball squarely. You’ll feel the clubhead rotate through the impact zone.
  • Mistake to avoid: Holding the clubface open through impact. This is a direct cause of slicing, even if your swing path is good. It’s like trying to catch a frisbee with your palm up.

5. Check Your Alignment.

  • Action: Before you even take your backswing, get into your athletic stance and align your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to your target line. Use your club to check your body alignment if needed.
  • What to look for: Your body lines pointing directly at your target, not to the left of it.
  • Mistake to avoid: Aiming left and swinging straight. This is a common setup error that makes you think you’re slicing when you’re just swinging on your body line.

6. Work on a Smooth Transition.

  • Action: Focus on a smooth, unhurried transition from your backswing to your downswing. Let the momentum of the club guide you. Avoid the urge to “hit at” the ball.
  • What to look for: A feeling of lag and a controlled, flowing motion. The downswing should feel like it starts from the ground up.
  • Mistake to avoid: Decelerating or snatching the club down. This often leads to an over-the-top move and an open face.

How to fix your slice

Getting rid of a slice takes practice, but focusing on these key areas will make a big difference. It’s about retraining your swing and building new habits. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen overnight; golf is a game of patience. For more on this, check out Fixing Your Golf Slice: A Comprehensive Guide.

  • Grip Too Weak — Causes the clubface to open at impact, sending the ball right. It’s like having your hands on the steering wheel too far to the left.
  • Fix: Rotate your hands slightly to the right (for right-handed golfers) until you see more knuckles on your lead hand. Aim for two to three knuckles on your left hand.
  • Over-the-Top Swing Path — Creates an out-to-in swing that cuts across the ball, leading to a slice. This is like swinging from the outside in.
  • Fix: Focus on an inside-to-out path by feeling like you’re swinging towards first base (for righties) or out towards right field.
  • Open Clubface at Impact — Even with a good swing path, an open face will cause the ball to curve right. The clubface needs to be square to the target.
  • Fix: Practice squaring the face through impact by turning your forearms over and feeling the club release.
  • Poor Setup Alignment — Aiming left and swinging straight can look like a slice, but you’re just hitting it where you’re aiming.
  • Fix: Ensure your feet, hips, and shoulders are aligned parallel to your target line. Use alignment sticks if you need to.
  • Rushing the Downswing — Leads to an out-to-in path and an open face because your body gets ahead of the club.
  • Fix: Use drills like the pump drill to feel a smoother transition and proper sequencing. Let the club do the work.
  • Lack of Body Rotation — If you only use your arms, you’ll often get stuck in an out-to-in path.
  • Fix: Feel like your shoulders and hips are rotating through the shot, leading the club.

FAQ

  • What is the most common cause of a golf slice?

The most common cause is an “over-the-top” swing path combined with an open clubface at impact. This means you’re swinging outside the ball and the clubface is pointing right of your target. It’s a double whammy for a slice.

  • How can I adjust my grip to fix a slice?

For a right-handed golfer, a “weaker” grip means your hands are turned too far to the left. To strengthen it, rotate your hands slightly to the right. You should see at least two to three knuckles on your left hand when looking down, and the V formed by your thumb and forefinger should point towards your right shoulder. It should feel more connected.

  • What is an inside-to-out swing path?

This is a swing where the club approaches the ball from the inside of the target line and then continues to move out towards the right of the target after impact. It’s the opposite of an out-to-in path, which is a primary cause of slicing. Think of swinging around your body rather than across it.

  • How quickly can I expect to see results?

That depends on how much you practice and your natural feel for the game. Some golfers see improvement within a few practice sessions, while others may take a few weeks of consistent work on the range. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s a lasting one if you stick with it.

  • Should I change my swing path first or my grip?

Most instructors recommend starting with your grip. A proper grip promotes a better swing path and makes it easier to square the clubface. If your grip is fundamentally flawed, it’s hard to fix other issues. Get the foundation right first.

  • Can I fix my slice with just one change?

While one change might help, a slice is often caused by a combination of factors. Addressing your grip, swing path, and clubface control together will yield the best results. Trying to fix everything at once can be overwhelming, so focus on one or two key elements at a time. Check out Tips for Fixing a Golf Slice for more on this.

  • What if I’m a left-handed golfer?

If you’re left-handed, simply reverse the directions. A weaker grip would mean turning your hands slightly to the left. An inside-to-out swing path would be towards the left of the target. The principles are the same, just mirrored.

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