Fixing Your Driver to Avoid a Rightward Ball Flight

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes

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Quick Answer: Why Does My Drive Go Right?

• A rightward ball flight, often called a slice, is usually the result of an open clubface at impact or a swing path that cuts across the ball from out-to-in.
• Simple adjustments to your grip, how you align the clubface, and your swing path can make a big difference.
• Don’t forget to check if your driver’s shaft flex is actually suited for your swing speed.

Who This Driver Fix Is For

• This is for you if your drives consistently end up to the right of your intended target, no matter how hard you try.
• It’s for any golfer who’s battling a frustrating slice with their driver and is ready for some practical, actionable advice.

What to Check First for Driver Slice Issues

• Clubface Alignment at Address: Take a good look before you swing. Is the clubface pointed directly at your target, or does it look like it’s aimed off to the right? This is a super common setup error.
• Your Grip: For right-handed golfers, is your left hand rotated too far counter-clockwise on the club? This is called a “weak” grip, and it makes it tough to close the clubface through impact. I’ve been guilty of this more times than I care to admit.
• Ball Position: Where are you setting the ball up in your stance? If it’s too far forward, it can encourage you to swing across the ball, leading to that dreaded rightward miss.
• Shaft Flex: Is the shaft in your driver too stiff for your swing speed? A shaft that’s too stiff can make it really hard to release the club and square the face, leading to an open face at impact.
• Stance and Posture: Are you set up in a way that promotes an out-to-in swing? Sometimes subtle changes here can unlock a better path.

Step-by-Step Plan to Correct Your Driver’s Rightward Flight

• Assess Your Grip: Take a close look at your left hand’s position on the club (assuming you’re right-handed). Action: Rotate your left hand slightly clockwise on the grip so you can see at least two to three knuckles when you look down. What to look for: The “V” formed by your thumb and index finger should point roughly towards your right shoulder. Mistake to avoid: Holding the club too weakly, with the “V” pointing too far left or straight down your target line. This makes it way harder to square the face.

• Square the Clubface: Before you even get your hands on the club, get the clubface right. Action: Place the clubhead behind the ball and aim the clubface directly at your intended target. Then, place your hands onto the club. What to look for: The clubface should appear square to the target line. Mistake to avoid: Gripping the club first and then trying to adjust the clubface, often leading to it staying open or being manipulated into a closed position that feels awkward.

• Adjust Ball Position: Fine-tune where the ball sits in your stance. Action: Move the ball slightly back in your stance, so it’s about one ball-width forward of the center of your stance, or roughly in line with the heel of your lead foot. What to look for: This position helps you make contact slightly on the upswing, promoting a more neutral or in-to-out path. Mistake to avoid: Playing the ball too far forward, which can cause you to hit the ball with an open clubface as you come over the top.

• Focus on Your Swing Path: This is where you consciously think about how the club moves. Action: During your downswing, visualize swinging the club from the inside, making an “in-to-out” motion. Think about swinging towards the right side of your target. What to look for: A feeling of the clubhead moving out towards the ball and then naturally releasing. Mistake to avoid: Swinging across the ball from an “out-to-in” path, which is the classic slice move that imparts sidespin.

• Check Your Takeaway: What the club does at the start of your swing sets the stage. Action: As you start your backswing, focus on moving the clubhead straight back from the ball or slightly inside the target line. What to look for: A smooth, controlled takeaway that doesn’t yank the club outside your hands too quickly. Mistake to avoid: Taking the club back outside the target line, which almost guarantees an out-to-in swing path and a slice.

• Clubface Control at Impact: This is the moment of truth. Action: Work on allowing the clubface to release and close naturally through impact. Feel like you’re swinging through the ball, not just at it. What to look for: A feeling of the hands turning over slightly and the clubhead staying square or closing through the hitting zone. Mistake to avoid: Holding the clubface open through impact, consciously trying to keep it from closing. This is a direct cause of slices.

• Consider Your Stance Width and Ball Position: Sometimes your setup needs a tweak. Action: Ensure your stance is wide enough for stability, but not so wide you can’t rotate. Experiment with the ball position slightly more forward or back within the lead heel area. What to look for: A comfortable, balanced setup that allows for a full coil and uncoil. Mistake to avoid: A narrow stance that compromises balance, or a ball position that’s consistently too far forward or back for your swing.

Common Mistakes Addressing Why Does My Drive Go Right

• Grip Too Weak — Leads to an open clubface at impact, sending the ball right. This is a huge one for slices. — Fix: Strengthen your grip by rotating your left hand (for righties) slightly clockwise on the club so you see more knuckles.

• Open Clubface at Address — Directly causes a rightward ball flight because you’re starting with the problem already built-in. — Fix: Always align the clubface squarely to your target before you place your hands on the club. Double-check this every time.

• Out-to-in Swing Path — Cuts across the ball, imparting sidespin that forces it right. This is the classic slice motion. — Fix: Focus on swinging from the inside, visualizing an in-to-out path, aiming slightly to the right of your target with your swing.

• Ball Too Far Forward in Stance — Encourages an outside-to-in swing and an open face at impact because you’re trying to hit it too early in your swing arc. — Fix: Move the ball back slightly in your stance, typically lining it up with the heel of your lead foot.

• Trying to “Steer” the Ball — Instead of swinging freely, you consciously try to guide the clubface, which often leads to an open face and a block. — Fix: Trust your setup and focus on a smooth, full swing. Let the club do the work and focus on tempo.

• Shaft Too Stiff — Makes it incredibly difficult to square the clubface at impact, often resulting in a slice because the clubhead lags behind. — Fix: Get fitted for a driver with a shaft flex that matches your swing speed. A fitter can tell you if you need a regular, stiff, or extra-stiff shaft.

• Not Releasing the Clubhead — Holding off on the release through impact means the clubface won’t close properly, leading to a slice. — Fix: Practice feeling a natural rotation of your hands and wrists through the ball, allowing the clubhead to square up and release.

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 lefty). It’s primarily caused by an open clubface at impact or a swing path that comes from outside the target line and cuts across the ball. It’s the opposite of a hook.

• How does my grip affect my driver’s ball flight? Your grip is fundamental. A “weak” grip (hands rotated too far counter-clockwise for a righty) makes it much harder to square the clubface at impact, almost guaranteeing a slice. A neutral or slightly “strong” grip (hands rotated slightly clockwise) helps promote a square face and a more solid strike.

• What is the ideal ball position for a driver? For most golfers, the ball should be positioned off the inside of your lead heel. This allows you to hit the ball on the upswing, promoting a higher launch and a more sweeping strike, which is ideal for a driver.

• Can equipment cause my drive to go right? Absolutely. If your driver’s shaft is too stiff for your swing speed, you’ll struggle to square the clubface, leading to slices. An incorrect loft angle or even the clubhead design itself can also contribute to a rightward ball flight if it doesn’t suit your swing.

• How do I know if my shaft flex is wrong for my driver? If you have a fast swing speed but your drives aren’t going very far, or you consistently slice, your shaft might be too stiff. Conversely, if you have a slower swing speed and you’re hitting hooks or the ball is ballooning high with little distance, your shaft might be too flexible. The best way to know for sure is a club fitting.

• What’s the difference between a slice and a push? A push is a shot that flies straight but to the right of the target (for a righty). It’s usually caused by an open clubface at impact but a neutral or in-to-out swing path. A slice curves from left to right. You can hit a push with a square face if your path is too far right, or you can hit a slice with an open face and an out-to-in path.

• How much should I adjust my swing path? Don’t try to overdo it. The goal isn’t to swing wildly to the right. Small adjustments, like focusing on the takeaway and the feeling of swinging slightly inside, can make a big difference. It’s about finding a more neutral or slightly in-to-out path, not forcing an extreme change.