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How to Stop Slicing Your Golf Shots

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes


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Quick Answer

  • Focus on a proper grip and controlling the clubface at impact.
  • Work on an in-to-out swing path.
  • Practice drills to get that clubface square.

Who This Is For

  • Any golfer who’s tired of seeing their ball veer off to the right (for righties).
  • Players looking to add some serious accuracy and distance back into their game.

What to Check First for Golf Slice Correction

  • Your Grip: Make sure it’s neutral or slightly strong. A weak grip is a slice waiting to happen.
  • Stance and Alignment: Are your feet, hips, and shoulders square to your target? Or are you aiming left of where you want the ball to go?
  • Swing Path: Honestly, is it coming from the outside-in? Be brutal.
  • Clubface Control: Is the clubface open when you hit the ball? This is a big one.

Step-by-Step Plan to Stop Slicing Golf Shots

1. Action: Adjust your grip.

What to look for: For right-handed golfers, the knuckles of your lead hand (left hand) should be visible, and the V formed by your thumb and index finger should point toward your trail shoulder. This is the foundation for a square clubface.
Mistake to avoid: Gripping the club too weakly. This is the number one culprit for an open clubface, and it’s easy to do without realizing it.

2. Action: Set your stance and alignment.

What to look for: Your feet, hips, and shoulders should be parallel to your intended target line. Imagine a set of train tracks. One track is where you want the ball to go, the other is where your body should be aligned.
Mistake to avoid: Aiming your body left of the target. This is a common compensation that often encourages an outside-in swing to try and bring the club back to the ball.

3. Action: Practice an in-to-out swing path.

What to look for: Visualize swinging the clubhead towards a point slightly to the right of your target. Think about releasing the club through the ball, as if you’re trying to hit a draw.
Mistake to avoid: Swinging across the ball from outside-in. This is the classic slice move, and it’s hard to break free from once it’s ingrained.

4. Action: Feel the clubface close through impact.

What to look for: At impact, the clubface should be square or even slightly closed to your target line. You should feel a sense of the clubhead “releasing” and turning over naturally.
Mistake to avoid: Leaving the clubface open. This is often a direct result of a weak grip or an over-the-top swing, preventing the club from rotating properly.

5. Action: Shallow out your backswing and transition.

What to look for: Try to feel like the club is dropping to the inside on the downswing, rather than steepening and coming over the top of the ball. A good drill is to feel like you’re swinging under your arms.
Mistake to avoid: Lifting the club straight up or steepening the angle of attack too early in the downswing. This is a surefire way to get onto an outside-in path.

6. Action: Focus on a smooth, consistent tempo.

What to look for: A smooth, unhurried transition from the top of your backswing to the downswing. Let the momentum of the club do the work. Think of it as a controlled swing, not a rushed one.
Mistake to avoid: Rushing the downswing. This kills any chance of a consistent swing path and clubface control, often resulting in that dreaded slice.

7. Action: Practice hitting draws.

What to look for: Intentionally try to hit shots that curve gently from right to left. This forces you to think about an in-to-out path and a closing clubface. Even if you don’t hit a perfect draw, the practice will help.
Mistake to avoid: Trying too hard to “hit” the ball straight. Focus on the swing path and clubface, and let the result take care of itself.

Understanding How to Not Slice Golf

The golf slice is one of the most frustrating shots in the game. It’s that frustrating ball flight that starts out okay but then curves dramatically to the right for a right-handed player. It’s not just about accuracy; a slice also robs you of distance because the clubface is open and not delivering maximum energy to the ball. The primary reason for a slice is typically an outside-in swing path combined with an open clubface at impact [1]. When the club approaches the ball from outside the target line and the clubface is still open, it imparts sidespin, causing the ball to curve away from the clubface’s direction.

The Grip: Your First Line of Defense

Your grip is arguably the most critical element in controlling the clubface. A weak grip, where your hands are too far counter-clockwise on the club (for right-handed players), makes it incredibly difficult to square the clubface through impact. When you swing, the natural tendency with a weak grip is for the clubface to remain open. To fix this, you need to adopt a neutral or slightly strong grip. A neutral grip means you can see about two to three knuckles on your lead hand when looking down. A strong grip means you see more knuckles, and the “V” formed by your thumb and index finger on both hands points more towards your trail shoulder. This slight rotation of your hands helps the clubface to naturally close through impact, which is key to stopping the slice.

Swing Path and Clubface Control

Beyond the grip, the swing path is paramount. An outside-in swing path is the hallmark of a slice. This means the club is coming into the ball from “over the top” of the target line. To combat this, you need to work on an in-to-out swing path. This doesn’t mean you aim wildly to the right, but rather that your clubhead approaches the ball from the inside of the target line and moves towards the outside through impact. This promotes a natural closing of the clubface. Think about swinging through the ball towards your target, rather than across it. Mastering this requires practice and often specific drills to retrain your swing mechanics.

Common Mistakes in How to Not Slice Golf

  • Weak Grip — Why it matters: It makes it incredibly hard to square the clubface at impact, leading to that dreaded slice. It’s like trying to catch a ball with your palm facing upwards. — Fix: Strengthen your grip by rotating your hands slightly away from the target. Make sure you can see 2-3 knuckles on your lead hand.
  • Over-the-Top Swing — Why it matters: This is the textbook way to create an outside-in swing path and an open clubface. It’s a common fault that’s hard to break without focused effort. — Fix: Focus on shallowing the club in the downswing and feeling an in-to-out motion. Try to feel like your arms are dropping to the inside.
  • Poor Alignment — Why it matters: Aiming your body left of the target often forces you to swing across the ball to compensate and try to hit it back to your intended line. This reinforces the outside-in path. — Fix: Ensure your feet, hips, and shoulders are square to your intended target line. Use alignment sticks or even just your club to check.
  • Trying to “Steer” the Ball — Why it matters: When you’re trying to avoid a slice, you might consciously try to “guide” the clubface square, which often leads to a loss of speed and a more open face. — Fix: Trust your adjusted grip and focus on a free-flowing swing with an in-to-out path. Let the club do the work.
  • Rushed Tempo — Why it matters: A fast, jerky swing kills consistency and control, often resulting in an open clubface and an uncontrolled swing path. The transition from backswing to downswing is critical. — Fix: Practice with a smooth, rhythmic tempo throughout the entire swing. Think of a pendulum motion.
  • Not Releasing the Club — Why it matters: If you hold onto the clubhead through impact, it will stay open. Releasing the club allows the face to square up naturally. — Fix: Focus on the feeling of the clubhead rotating through the ball. Imagine the clubhead passing your hands.
  • Ignoring the Backswing — Why it matters: Many golfers focus solely on the downswing, but the backswing sets up the downswing. An overly steep or disconnected backswing often leads to an over-the-top move. — Fix: Work on a balanced and controlled backswing that allows for a smooth transition into the downswing.

FAQ

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

The most common cause is an outside-in swing path combined with an open clubface at impact [1]. This often stems from a weak grip or an over-the-top swing, where the club approaches the ball from outside the target line.

  • How can I check my golf grip for correctness?

For a neutral to strong grip (right-handed golfer), you should see 2-3 knuckles on your lead hand (left hand) when looking down. The “V” formed by your thumb and index finger on both hands should point roughly towards your trail shoulder (right shoulder). This promotes a more square clubface.

  • Is it better to swing in-to-out or out-to-in?

To avoid a slice and promote straighter shots or even a draw, an in-to-out swing path is generally preferred [3]. This helps the clubface close naturally through impact, delivering more solid contact and reducing sidespin. An out-to-in path is the classic slice motion.

  • How much should I adjust my grip?

Start with small, subtle adjustments. Rotating your hands just a little bit away from the target (clockwise for right-handers) can make a significant difference. Don’t overdo it initially, as it can feel awkward. Make one adjustment at a time and see how it feels.

  • Can I fix my slice with just one change?

While one change might help significantly, a slice is often a combination of issues. Addressing your grip, swing path, and clubface control together will yield the most consistent and effective results [2]. Focusing on just one element might not be enough if others are contributing to the problem.

  • How long does it take to stop slicing?

It varies greatly from golfer to golfer. Some players see improvement quickly with focused practice and understanding the root cause, while others take more time to retrain their swing mechanics. Be patient and consistent with your practice routine; consistent effort is key.

  • What drills can help me stop slicing?

Try the “gate drill” where you place two tees slightly wider than your clubhead on an in-to-out path, just in front of the ball. Your goal is to swing the clubhead through the gate. Also, practice hitting shots with an exaggerated in-to-out swing feel, aiming to hit the ball with a slight draw. Another good one is the “pump drill,” where you make a short, slow backswing and then feel the club drop to the inside on the downswing before completing the stroke.

  • Does my stance affect my slice?

Yes, absolutely. If your stance is aimed too far left of the target, you’ll often compensate by swinging across the ball from outside-in to bring the club back to the ball. Ensuring your feet, hips, and shoulders are aligned parallel to your target line is crucial for promoting a neutral swing path.

  • What if I’m slicing my irons too?

The principles are the same. A slice is a slice, whether it’s off the tee or with an iron. The most common reasons – weak grip, open clubface, and outside-in swing path – apply to all clubs. Focus on the fundamentals, and you should see improvement across your bag.

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