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How to Stop Slicing in Golf

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes


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Quick Answer

  • Square up that clubface at impact. That’s the main ticket.
  • Check your grip. A neutral or slightly strong grip makes a world of difference.
  • Swing from the inside. Think about coming into the ball from the right side (for a righty).

Who This Guide is For

  • You’re tired of watching your ball veer off to the right (if you’re a right-handed golfer).
  • You want clear, actionable steps to dial in your swing and ditch the slice.
  • Beginners and intermediate golfers looking to improve their ball striking and accuracy.

What to Check First for a Golf Slice

  • Clubface Angle: Is it open when you address the ball? Is it still open at impact? Check your manual if you’re unsure about the loft or lie angle on your clubs. A clubface that’s even a few degrees open at impact can send the ball sailing offline.
  • Grip Pressure & Position: Are your hands too far apart? Is your grip too weak, meaning your hands are rotated too far counter-clockwise (for a righty)? Grip pressure should be firm but not tense, like holding a bird.
  • Alignment: Take a look at your feet, hips, and shoulders. Are they pointing where you want to go, or are they aimed way off to the left (for a righty) to compensate for a perceived slice? Proper alignment is crucial for setting up the correct swing path.
  • Ball Position: Where is the ball in your stance? This can significantly affect your swing path and the angle of your clubface at impact. Too far back or too far forward can cause issues.
  • Swing Path: Are you coming over the top, swinging from outside to inside? This is a classic slice move. You need to feel like you’re swinging out towards your target.

Step-by-Step Plan to Stop Slicing

This is where the real work happens. We’re going to break down the swing mechanics that lead to a slice and how to fix them. It’s not about brute force; it’s about finesse and understanding the golf swing.

  • Action: Adjust your grip.

What to look for: For a neutral grip, the “V” formed by your thumb and index finger on your lead hand should point roughly towards your trail shoulder. For a stronger grip, rotate both hands slightly clockwise on the club. This helps your hands naturally close the clubface through impact. I always tell my buddies, “Get your hands on there right.”
Mistake to avoid: A weak grip, where the “V” points too far right (towards the target for a righty), makes it incredibly tough to close the clubface. You’ll be fighting it all the way through the swing.

  • Action: Set up with an open stance.

What to look for: Your feet, hips, and shoulders should be aligned slightly left of your target. This encourages an in-to-out swing path, which is key to hitting a draw or at least a straight shot. Think about aiming your body at a point a little to the left of where you want the ball to end up.
Mistake to avoid: Aiming your body directly at the target while having an open stance. This can lead to fighting the club and an out-to-in path. Your body and clubface alignment need to work together.

  • Action: Position the ball correctly in your stance.

What to look for: For most shots, especially with your driver and longer irons, place the ball opposite your lead heel or slightly behind it. This allows you to hit the ball on the upswing or at the apex of your swing arc, promoting an in-to-out path.
Mistake to avoid: Having the ball too far back in your stance. This can promote an out-to-in swing path as you try to make contact, leading to that dreaded slice.

  • Action: Focus on your takeaway and backswing.

What to look for: Start the club back smoothly, keeping the clubface relatively square to your swing arc. Avoid the temptation to yank the club inside too quickly. Feel like the clubhead is staying in front of your hands for the first few feet.
Mistake to avoid: The common mistake of “cutting across” the ball on the backswing, or taking the club too far inside with an open face. This sets you up for an out-to-in swing path right from the start.

  • Action: Feel an inside-out swing path on the downswing.

What to look for: This is crucial. Imagine swinging out towards the right field (for a righty). This feeling helps you deliver the clubface squarely to the ball. Focus on rotating your body and letting your arms release naturally. I like to visualize swinging through the ball, not at it.
Mistake to avoid: Swinging across the ball from out-to-in. This is the classic slice move where the club approaches the ball from outside the target line and moves across it.

  • Action: Work on clubface release and forearm rotation.

What to look for: At impact, your forearms should rotate naturally, helping the clubface close. This isn’t a conscious effort to “turn the wrists over” aggressively, but a natural unwinding of your body and arms. The clubface should be square or slightly closed to your swing path at impact.
Mistake to avoid: Holding the face open through impact. This is the primary mechanical cause of a slice. If you’re not allowing your hands and forearms to rotate, the face will stay open.

  • Action: Practice with drills.

What to look for: Use drills like the “gate drill” (placing two tees just outside and inside the ball, creating a narrow gate for the club to swing through) to encourage an in-to-out path. Another great drill is to focus on hitting draws by exaggerating the in-to-out swing path and releasing the club.
Mistake to avoid: Just hitting balls without a specific focus. Without targeted practice and drills, you’re just reinforcing bad habits.

How to Not Slice Your Golf Shots

Fixing a slice often comes down to a few key adjustments, and understanding the interplay between your grip, swing path, and clubface is paramount. The biggest culprit is usually an open clubface at impact, combined with an out-to-in swing path. A weak grip makes it harder to get that clubface squared up. How to Stop Slicing Your Golf Shots covers these points well, emphasizing the importance of a neutral or strong grip and an in-to-out swing path. Remember, small, deliberate changes can have a massive impact on your ball flight. It’s about building a repeatable motion that consistently squares the clubface. Don’t get discouraged; it takes practice and patience.

Common Mistakes When Trying to Fix a Golf Slice

  • Gripping too weakly — This makes it incredibly difficult to square the clubface at impact, as your hands are not in a position to naturally rotate and close the face. — Strengthen your grip by rotating your hands slightly clockwise on the club. For a right-handed golfer, this means seeing more knuckles on your lead hand and the “V” formed by your thumb and index finger pointing more towards your trail shoulder.
  • Swinging out-to-in — This is a primary cause of the slice. It means your club approaches the ball from outside the target line and moves across the ball towards the inside. This motion, especially with an open clubface, forces the ball to curve left-to-right. — Focus on swinging from the inside. Visualize an arc that moves from slightly behind you, through the ball, and out towards the right of your target. Drills that encourage an inside-to-out path are essential here.
  • Open clubface at impact — This is the direct reason for the ball’s left-to-right curve. Even with a perfect swing path, an open face will cause a slice. — Work on releasing the club and rotating your forearms naturally through the hitting zone. This doesn’t mean consciously “whipping” your wrists, but allowing your body rotation to facilitate the natural unwinding of your arms and hands. Impact tape can be a great tool to see your clubface angle.
  • Poor alignment — Aiming your body too far left (for a righty) can trick you into swinging out-to-in, or conversely, aiming too far right can lead to trying to “cut across” the ball to get it back on line. — Ensure your feet, hips, and shoulders are aligned correctly at address. Often, golfers with a slice will aim their body far left of the target to compensate, which can exacerbate the problem. Try aligning your body parallel left of your target line, and then aim your clubface directly at the target.
  • Ball position too far back — Placing the ball too far back in your stance can encourage an out-to-in swing path as you try to make contact. It forces you to swing “across” the ball to reach it. — Experiment with moving the ball slightly forward in your stance, typically opposite your lead heel or slightly behind it. This promotes hitting the ball on the upswing or at the apex of your swing, which is more conducive to an in-to-out path.
  • Trying to “steer” the ball — Many golfers try to guide the clubface back to square at impact, which kills the natural release and rotation of the arms and club. — Trust your setup and your swing. Focus on making a good, fluid swing and allowing your body’s natural rotation to square the clubface. This is where practicing the feeling of release is important.
  • Not practicing consistently — Golf is a game of repetition. Without regular practice focused on the correct mechanics, old habits will quickly creep back in. — Dedicate time to the driving range or practice green, focusing on one or two swing thoughts at a time. Short, focused practice sessions are often more effective than long, unfocused ones.

FAQ for Golf Slices

  • What exactly is a golf slice?

A slice is a golf shot that curves significantly from left to right for a right-handed golfer, or right to left for a left-handed golfer. It’s characterized by a pronounced curve and often a loss of distance compared to a straight shot. The primary cause is an open clubface at impact relative to the swing path.

  • How does my grip affect my slice?

Your grip is fundamental to controlling the clubface. A weak grip, where your hands are rotated too far counter-clockwise (for a righty), makes it very difficult to close the clubface through impact. This forces you to consciously try and “turn” your hands, which often leads to timing issues and a slice. A neutral or strong grip provides a better foundation for squaring the face.

  • What is the ideal swing path to avoid a slice?

The ideal swing path to avoid a slice is an in-to-out path. This means your club approaches the ball from slightly inside the target line and swings out towards the right of the target (for a righty). This path, combined with a square or slightly closed clubface, will produce a draw or a straight shot.

  • Should I try to swing harder to fix a slice?

Absolutely not. Swinging harder almost always exacerbates a slice. When you try to swing faster with a faulty swing path or open clubface, you’re just amplifying the error. Focus on making a smooth, controlled swing with the correct mechanics. Speed will come naturally as you improve your technique and achieve solid contact.

  • How can I check if my clubface is square at impact?

There are several ways to check. The most effective is using impact tape on your clubface. This will show you precisely where the ball is striking the club. Videoing your swing from face-on and down-the-line angles is also invaluable for analyzing your clubface position throughout the swing. If you’re struggling, a golf professional can provide expert analysis and feedback.

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

A slice curves from left to right (for a righty), and a hook curves from right to left. A hook is typically caused by an excessively in-to-out swing path combined with a closed clubface at impact. They are essentially opposite ball flights, though both indicate a need for swing adjustments.

  • Can I fix my slice with just one change?

While sometimes a single, significant change like adjusting your grip can make a big difference, most slices are the result of a combination of factors. It’s usually a process of addressing multiple elements – grip, alignment, swing path, and clubface control – to achieve consistent results. Don’t expect miracles overnight; consistent practice is key.

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