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Common Causes for a Golf Ball’s Rightward Curve

ByThe Golfer

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes


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Quick Answer

  • An open clubface at impact is the main culprit for a rightward curve.
  • Your swing path, especially coming from outside-to-in, also sends it right.
  • Grip and ball position can set you up for these mistakes.

Who This Is For

  • Golfers who consistently see their shots drift right, often called a slice or push.
  • Anyone looking to understand the mechanics behind that frustrating rightward ball flight and how to fix it.

What to Check First

  • Clubface Angle: Is it square or open when you hit the ball? Check your manual for your specific club’s ideal face angle at impact.
  • Swing Path: Are you swinging from outside the target line to inside? This is a classic slice producer.
  • Ball Position: Where is the ball sitting in your stance? Too far back can lead to an open face.
  • Grip: How are you holding the club? A weak grip can make it tough to close the face.

Fixing Why Your Golf Ball Goes to the Right

Step-by-Step Plan to Fix Why Your Golf Ball Goes to the Right

1. Check Your Grip: Action: Ensure a neutral to slightly strong grip. Look for the V’s formed by your thumbs and forefingers pointing towards your trail shoulder. Mistake: A weak grip makes it hard to close the clubface, leading to an open face at impact.

2. Adjust Ball Position: Action: Move the ball slightly forward in your stance for irons, and potentially even further forward for drivers. Mistake: An incorrect ball position can force you to make compensations that lead to an open clubface.

3. Analyze Your Swing Path: Action: Pay attention to your downswing. Are you coming from outside the target line to inside? Mistake: This “over the top” motion is a primary driver of a slice.

4. Focus on Clubface Control: Action: Practice releasing the clubhead through impact, allowing the face to rotate naturally. Mistake: Leaving the clubface open at impact is a direct cause of a push or slice.

5. Develop an In-to-Out Path: Action: Work on swinging the club more from the inside of the target line to the outside. Mistake: An outside-to-in path imparts sidespin, sending the ball right.

Common Mistakes for Golf Balls Going Right

  • Mistake: Gripping the club too weakly.
  • Why it matters: This makes it incredibly difficult to close the clubface through impact, almost guaranteeing a slice.
  • Fix: Adjust to a neutral or slightly strong grip. Ensure the V’s formed by your thumbs and index fingers point towards your trail shoulder.
  • Mistake: Swinging “over the top.”
  • Why it matters: This common fault means your club is coming down from outside the target line to inside, imparting massive sidespin to the right.
  • Fix: Focus on a downswing that approaches the ball from the inside. Feel like you’re swinging out towards the target.
  • Mistake: Leaving the clubface open at impact.
  • Why it matters: The clubface angle at impact is a huge factor in ball direction. An open face sends the ball right.
  • Fix: Practice drills that encourage clubface rotation through impact. Think about “releasing” the clubhead.
  • Mistake: Incorrect ball position.
  • Why it matters: If the ball is too far back in your stance, you’ll often struggle to square the clubface.
  • Fix: Experiment with moving the ball slightly forward, especially with your longer clubs.

FAQ

  • What is the most common reason a golf ball goes to the right?

The most frequent cause is an open clubface at impact, often a result of a weak grip or an outside-to-in swing path.

  • How does my grip affect the ball’s direction?

A weak grip (where your hands are rotated too far counter-clockwise on the club) makes it hard to square the clubface, leading to shots going right. A neutral or strong grip helps you close the face.

  • What is an “outside-to-in” swing path?

This describes a downswing where the club approaches the ball from a path outside the target line and moves inward across the ball. It’s a classic cause of a slice.

  • Can ball position really make my golf ball go right?

Yes. If the ball is too far back in your stance, you might be forced to hit it with an open clubface to make solid contact.

  • Does the type of golf ball matter for a rightward curve?

While less common than swing faults, a golf ball’s compression and cover material can influence spin. A ball with a lower compression might spin less, potentially exacerbating a slice if your swing is the issue. For more on this, check out Identifying the Causes of a Rightward Golf Ball Curve [1].

Sources

  • Identifying the Causes of a Rightward Golf Ball Curve: https://golfhubz.com/identifying-the-causes-of-a-rightward-golf-ball-curve/

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