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Fixing a Slice in Your Golf Drive

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes


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Quick Answer

  • Adjust your swing path to favor an in-to-out motion.
  • Ensure your clubface is square to the target at impact.
  • Check your grip for tension and proper hand placement.

Who This Is For

  • Golfers who are consistently fighting that dreaded slice off the tee.
  • Players looking for practical, actionable advice to hit straighter drives.

What to Check First for Your Driver

  • Your Grip: Is it neutral? A grip that’s too weak or too strong is a prime suspect. For a right-handed golfer, the “V” formed by your thumb and index finger on your lead hand should point roughly towards your right shoulder.
  • Your Stance: Are your feet shoulder-width apart? Is your body aligned parallel to your target line? Misalignment here can easily lead to an out-to-in swing.
  • Ball Position: For the driver, the ball should be positioned just off the heel of your lead foot. This promotes hitting the ball on the upswing.
  • Setup Balance: Make sure your weight is balanced, not leaning too far back or too far forward. You want a stable base.

Step-by-Step Plan to Fix Your Driver Slice

Alright, let’s get this slice sorted. It’s not rocket science, just a few key adjustments. I always tell folks to start with the basics – they’re usually the culprits.

1. Action: Examine and adjust your grip.

What to look for: For a right-handed golfer, the “V” formed by your thumb and forefinger on your left hand should point towards your right shoulder. Your right hand should then cover your left thumb, with the “V” on your right hand also pointing towards your right shoulder. This is a neutral grip.
Mistake: A weak grip, where the “V”s point too far left, makes it very difficult to square the clubface at impact, almost guaranteeing a slice. Conversely, a grip that’s too strong can lead to hooks, but we’re focused on slices here.

2. Action: Establish a proper stance and alignment.

What to look for: Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Your toes should be pointed slightly outward for comfort. Crucially, your hips, shoulders, and feet should be aligned parallel to your target line. Imagine drawing a railroad track – your body lines should run along the inside rail.
Mistake: Aiming your body directly at the target when you have a tendency to swing out-to-in will exacerbate the slice. You might think you’re compensating, but you’re actually setting yourself up for failure.

3. Action: Dial in your ball position.

What to look for: For your driver, place the ball just inside the heel of your lead foot. This allows the club to approach the ball from the inside on an upward trajectory, which is key to hitting a draw or at least a straight shot.
Mistake: Having the ball too far back in your stance will cause you to hit the ball on the downswing with an open clubface. Too far forward, and you might struggle to get the clubface square.

4. Action: Focus on an in-to-out swing path.

What to look for: During your swing, especially the downswing, feel like you’re swinging the clubhead out towards the target and then around your body. Visualize a path that moves from behind you, towards the ball, and then continues out towards your target line.
Mistake: The classic slice move is an out-to-in swing, where the club comes across the ball from outside the target line to inside. This imparts sidespin that curves the ball right.

5. Action: Ensure the clubface is square at impact.

What to look for: At the moment the club strikes the ball, the face of your driver should be perpendicular to your target line. It should feel like you’re “shaking hands” with the target.
Mistake: An open clubface at impact is the direct cause of the slice spin. Even with a perfect in-to-out swing path, an open face will send it right.

6. Action: Practice with specific drills.

What to look for: Use alignment sticks on the ground to help with your stance and swing path. Try drills where you focus on a smooth transition and a feeling of swinging “out.” A simple drill is to place a headcover or small object a few inches outside the ball on your target line and try to swing around it.
Mistake: Simply trying to “swing left” or force the clubface shut is a band-aid solution that won’t fix the underlying mechanics and can lead to other swing faults.

How to Cure Driver Slice: Understanding the Mechanics

Getting rid of that slice is all about understanding the mechanics. The most common culprit is an out-to-in swing path combined with an open clubface at impact [3]. To cure a driver slice, you need to encourage an in-to-out swing and ensure the clubface is square. It sounds simple, but it takes focused effort and a bit of practice. I remember spending a whole weekend at the driving range just working on my takeaway and the feeling of the downswing. It paid off, though!

Common Mistakes in Fixing a Driver Slice

We all make ’em. Knowing what to avoid is half the battle.

  • Incorrect Grip — Leads to an open clubface at impact, sending the ball right. — Adjust to a neutral or slightly stronger grip. Make sure your hands are working together, not fighting each other.
  • Out-to-in Swing Path — The primary cause of slices, cutting across the ball. — Focus on swinging from the inside. Think about swinging out towards first base (for a righty).
  • Open Clubface at Impact — Directly causes slice spin, making the ball curve away. — Work on squaring the clubface through drills. Feel like you’re rotating your forearms through impact.
  • Trying Too Hard/Swinging Out of Your Shoes — Overthinking and swinging with excessive tension. This usually makes the slice worse. — Relax, focus on a smooth tempo and the feeling of the correct motion. It’s a golf swing, not a fight.
  • Ignoring Setup Fundamentals — A bad stance, alignment, or ball position sets you up for failure before you even swing. — Double-check your alignment sticks and ball position before every single swing. It’s the foundation.
  • Trying to “Fix” the Slice Mid-Swing — Making compensations during the swing, like trying to manually close the clubface, is a recipe for disaster. — Trust your setup and your swing path adjustments. Don’t try to steer the ball.

FAQ

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

The most common cause is an out-to-in swing path combined with an open clubface at impact [3]. This combination imparts slice spin on the ball, making it curve dramatically to the right for a right-handed golfer.

  • How does grip affect a slice?

A weak grip, where the hands are rotated too far counter-clockwise for a right-handed golfer, makes it very difficult to square the clubface through impact. This often leads to an open face and, consequently, a slice. A neutral or slightly stronger grip makes it easier to deliver a square clubface.

  • What is the correct ball position for a driver?

For your driver, the ball should be positioned just inside the heel of your lead foot. This allows you to hit the ball on the upswing, which promotes a more powerful and straighter drive, and helps facilitate an in-to-out swing path.

  • Can I fix my slice by just swinging harder?

Absolutely not. Swinging harder often amplifies the slice because it typically leads to a steeper, out-to-in swing path and less control over the clubface. Focus on technique, tempo, and a smooth transition rather than brute force.

  • How long does it take to fix a slice?

The timeline varies greatly from golfer to golfer. It depends on your natural athleticism, how consistently you practice, and how well you understand and implement the correct techniques. Some see improvement in a few sessions, while for others, it might take months of dedicated practice. Be patient and persistent.

  • Should I aim left if I have a slice?

While aiming left might keep the ball in play temporarily, it doesn’t address the root cause of the slice. It’s a compensation, not a cure. The goal is to fix your swing path and clubface control so you can aim at your target and hit it straight. Fixing the mechanics is the only way to truly cure the slice.

  • What’s the difference between a slice and a hook?

A slice curves from right to left (for a right-handed golfer) due to an out-to-in swing path and an open clubface. A hook curves from left to right (for a right-handed golfer) due to an in-to-out swing path and a closed clubface. They are essentially opposite ball flights, often caused by opposite swing faults.

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