Common Reasons for Golf Balls Going Right
← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes
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Quick Answer
- Your golf ball is likely going right because your clubface is open at impact or you have an out-to-in swing path.
- Fixing this often comes down to adjusting your grip and swing mechanics.
- Focus on a neutral grip and an in-to-out swing to send that ball straight.
Who This Is For
- Right-handed golfers who consistently see their shots curve off to the right.
- Anyone trying to dial in their swing and understand what causes that dreaded slice.
What to Check First
- Your Grip: Make sure you’re not holding the club too weakly. This is a big one. A weak grip encourages an open clubface at impact, which is a primary driver of a slice.
- Your Alignment: Are your feet, hips, and shoulders aimed where you actually want the ball to go? Many golfers unconsciously aim left of the target to compensate for an anticipated slice, which often makes the problem worse.
- Your Swing Path: Are you swinging from the outside of the ball to the inside? This is a common culprit. An “over-the-top” move is a classic slicer’s tendency.
- Clubface Angle: Is that clubface open when you hit the ball? Check it at impact. Even with a good swing path, an open clubface will send the ball right.
How to Stop Your Golf Ball From Going Right
Let’s get this fixed. It’s not rocket science, just a bit of golf mechanics. Most of the time, when your golf ball goes right, it’s all about how you’re swinging the club and how you’re holding it. We’re going to tackle the two main culprits: the open clubface and the out-to-in swing path.
- Action: Adjust your grip.
- What to look for: For a right-handed golfer, the “V” formed by your thumb and forefinger on both hands should point towards your right shoulder. This is a neutral to slightly strong grip. It helps ensure the clubface naturally squares up through impact. A slightly stronger grip means rotating your hands a bit more clockwise on the club.
- Mistake: Gripping too weakly, where those “V’s” point too far left, towards your left shoulder or even straight ahead. This encourages an open clubface at impact, making it difficult to control the ball’s direction. I used to do this all the time when I was starting out. It felt more “natural,” but it was killing my game.
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- Action: Square your stance and alignment.
- What to look for: Your feet, hips, and shoulders should all be aimed parallel to your intended target line. Imagine drawing a line from the ball to your target; your body should be aligned along a line parallel to that. No funny business here.
- Mistake: Aiming significantly left of your target to try and “force” the ball back into play. This is a subconscious compensation that often makes the slice worse. You might even see your body rotate open to the target before you swing, exacerbating the out-to-in path.
- Action: Practice an in-to-out swing path.
- What to look for: Feel like your club is swinging slightly towards the inside of the ball at impact, not across it. Imagine swinging out towards second base if you’re on a baseball diamond, or towards the right field foul pole. This encourages a natural draw or a straight shot.
- Mistake: Swinging “over the top,” which forces an out-to-in path and often leaves the clubface open. This is a classic slicer move where the club comes down from outside the target line. You might feel like you’re chopping down at the ball.
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- Action: Focus on clubface control through impact.
- What to look for: A square or slightly closed clubface relative to your swing path at impact. If your swing path is neutral or in-to-out, a square face will send the ball straight.
- Mistake: A clubface that is wide open at impact, essentially “scooping” the ball off to the right. This is often a result of a weak grip and an over-the-top swing. You might be rotating your wrists incorrectly, trying to “help” the ball.
Troubleshooting Why Your Golf Ball Goes Right
When you’re out on the course, and that ball is veering right more often than you’d like, it’s easy to get frustrated. But understanding the mechanics behind it is the first step to fixing it. It’s not always about brute force; it’s about finesse and proper technique.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into the common issues and how to address them, keeping in mind that golf ball characteristics like compression and cover material play a supporting role, but aren’t the primary cause of a slice. A golf ball with a lower compression might feel softer and be easier to compress for slower swing speeds, potentially leading to more distance, but it won’t inherently fix a slice. Similarly, a premium urethane-covered golf ball, known for its greenside spin and feel, doesn’t magically correct swing flaws. The focus needs to be on your swing.
- Action: Refine your backswing takeaway.
- What to look for: The club should move back and slightly inside the target line in the initial phase of your backswing. Think of taking the club away with your shoulders and chest, rather than just your hands and arms. This sets up a better swing plane for the downswing.
- Mistake: An “arm lift” takeaway, where you lift the club straight up with your arms, or an “outside takeaway,” where the club immediately moves away from the ball to the outside. Both of these often lead to an over-the-top move on the downswing.
- Action: Feel the downswing from the inside.
- What to look for: As you start your downswing, feel like your hips are rotating towards the target and your arms are dropping slightly, allowing the club to approach the ball from the inside. This is a subtle feeling and takes practice.
- Mistake: Immediately casting the club outwards or coming “over the top.” This is often caused by trying to hit the ball hard or by a faulty backswing. The feeling should be one of unwinding your body and letting the club follow.
- Action: Focus on impact position.
- What to look for: At impact, your weight should be shifting towards your lead side (left side for right-handers), your hips should be open to the target, and your hands should be slightly ahead of the clubface. This is a powerful, athletic position.
- Mistake: Hanging back on your trail leg, with your weight still on your right side, and the clubface open. This results in a loss of power and an uncontrolled slice.
Common Mistakes When Fixing a Slice
Don’t fall into these traps. We’ve all been there. Correcting a slice requires patience and a focused approach.
- Weak Grip — Why it matters: It makes it very hard to square the clubface through impact, leading to that rightward curve. The clubface is essentially left open by the grip itself. — Fix: Strengthen your grip by rotating your hands slightly clockwise on the club. Ensure the “V”s point towards your right shoulder. You can also try a baseball grip (interlocking) or overlap grip if you’re currently using a ten-finger grip.
- Aiming Left — Why it matters: This is a band-aid fix that often exacerbates the slice because you’re still swinging out-to-in, but you’re just aiming where the ball might end up. It doesn’t address the root cause. — Fix: Aim directly at your target and trust the swing adjustments you’re making. Use alignment sticks on the range to reinforce proper aiming.
- Over-the-Top Swing — Why it matters: This is the most common cause of an out-to-in path, which directly leads to a slice. The club comes from outside the ball-target line. — Fix: Focus on a takeaway that feels like the club is moving back and slightly inside, rather than lifting it high. Visualize the club dropping from the inside on the downswing.
- Trying Too Hard (Muscling the Ball) — Why it matters: Trying to “muscle” the ball straight often leads to tension, loss of tempo, and reinforces bad habits. You’re fighting the natural motion of the swing. — Fix: Focus on smooth, controlled swings and trust the process. Tempo is key. Make practice swings focusing on fluidity.
- Ignoring the Takeaway — Why it matters: A bad start to the swing often dictates the rest of it, leading to an out-to-in path and an open clubface. The initial move sets the stage for the entire swing. — Fix: Ensure your backswing starts with a smooth, controlled motion that brings the club back and slightly inside, engaging your body’s rotation.
- Incorrect Ball Position — Why it matters: If the ball is positioned too far forward in your stance, it can encourage an over-the-top swing as you try to reach it. — Fix: For a driver, the ball should generally be off the lead heel. For irons, it should be more towards the center of your stance. Experiment to find what works with your swing.
- Failing to Rotate Hips and Body — Why it matters: A swing that relies solely on arm action will often lead to an out-to-in path and an open clubface. Body rotation is crucial for power and a correct swing plane. — Fix: Focus on initiating the downswing with your lower body, allowing your hips to turn towards the target. This will naturally help bring the club from the inside.
FAQ
- What is a slice in golf?
A slice is a shot that curves significantly from left to right for a right-handed golfer, or right to left for a left-handed golfer. It’s a common ball flight issue that most golfers deal with at some point.
- How does the grip affect ball flight?
Your grip dictates how the clubface is oriented through impact. A weak grip can lead to an open face and a slice, while a strong grip can lead to a closed face and a hook. A neutral grip is generally best for a straight shot.
- What is an out-to-in swing path?
This means the clubhead travels from outside the target line to inside it as it strikes the ball. This is a primary cause of slices because it tends to leave the clubface open relative to the path.
- Does golf ball compression matter for slices?
While compression relates to how much the ball deforms on impact (affecting distance and feel), it’s not a direct cause of a slice. Swing mechanics and clubface angle are the primary drivers. However, choosing a ball with the right compression for your swing speed can optimize your overall game and feel [1].
- Can a golf ball cover material (like urethane) affect my slice?
The cover material primarily affects spin and durability. Urethane covers generally offer more greenside spin, which can be beneficial for control around the greens, but they don’t directly cause or fix a slice. The issue is almost always with your swing mechanics and clubface control.
- What’s the difference between a slice and a push?
A push is a shot that travels straight but off-line to the right (for a right-handed golfer). A slice curves rightward. A push is usually caused by a closed clubface aimed right of the target, or a square clubface aimed right of the target. A slice is typically caused by an open clubface relative to an out-to-in swing path.
- How can I practice fixing my slice?
Start with slow-motion swings on the range, focusing on your grip and takeaway. Use alignment sticks to ensure you’re aimed correctly and to visualize your swing path. Consider getting a lesson from a PGA professional to get personalized feedback and drills. Troubleshooting Why Your Golf Ball Goes Right is a great resource for more in-depth analysis and common fixes.
Sources
[1] keyword | Troubleshooting Why Your Golf Ball Goes Right | https://golfhubz.com/troubleshooting-why-your-golf-ball-goes-right
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.