Troubleshooting Why Your Golf Ball Goes Right
← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes
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Quick Answer
- Aiming left of your target is the quickest fix for a ball that consistently goes right.
- Make sure your clubface is square to the target line at impact.
- Check your grip – a weak grip often leads to an open clubface.
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Who This Is For
- Golfers who are tired of seeing their shots veer off to the right, especially off the tee.
- Anyone looking for practical, on-course fixes to stop that dreaded slice.
What to Check First for Why Your Golf Ball Goes Right
- Clubface Position: Is it square to your target line when you address the ball? And how about at impact? This is critical.
- Grip: Pay attention to how you hold the club. Is it too weak (left hand turned too far counter-clockwise for a righty)? Too tight?
- Ball Position: Where do you set the ball up in your stance? It might be too far forward.
- Aim: Seriously, are you aiming at the flag, or somewhere else entirely?
- Swing Path: Are you swinging across the ball?
Step-by-Step Plan to Fix Why Your Golf Ball Goes Right
1. Assess Your Aim
- Action: Stand behind the ball and pick a specific spot on your target line. Then, walk to the ball and set up as you normally would.
- What to look for: Are your feet, hips, and shoulders aimed directly at that spot on your target line, or are they aimed left of it? Most slicers unconsciously aim right of the target.
- Mistake to avoid: Aiming directly at the target when you know you slice. You’re setting yourself up for failure.
2. Check Your Grip
- Action: For right-handed golfers, look at your left hand. Rotate it slightly away from the target (counter-clockwise). You should see at least two knuckles.
- What to look for: Does your left thumb point roughly down the shaft? Is your grip pressure firm but not death-like?
- Mistake to avoid: A weak grip, where your left hand is too far counter-clockwise. This often leads to an open clubface at impact.
3. Analyze Clubface at Address
- Action: Set up to the ball and look at the clubface.
- What to look for: Is the clubface square to your intended target line, or is it noticeably open (pointing right of the target)?
- Mistake to avoid: Having an open clubface at address. This is a common setup issue that predetermines a slice.
4. Evaluate Your Swing Path
- Action: Imagine swinging the club from the inside of the target line to the outside.
- What to look for: Are you swinging more from the outside-in, cutting across the ball? This is a classic slicer’s move.
- Mistake to avoid: Swinging across the ball from outside-to-in. This promotes a slice.
5. Ball Position Adjustment
- Action: Move the ball slightly back in your stance, closer to the center.
- What to look for: Does this help you make better contact and square the clubface?
- Mistake to avoid: Ball too far forward in your stance, which can promote an outside-to-in swing.
6. Feel the Release
- Action: During your practice swing, focus on letting your wrists hinge and then unhinge naturally through the impact zone.
- What to look for: Do you feel your hands and forearms rotating through the shot, squaring the clubface?
- Mistake to avoid: Holding the face open through impact, which is a direct cause of the ball going right.
Common Mistakes When Fixing Why Your Golf Ball Goes Right
- Mistake: Aiming directly at the target and expecting a draw.
- Why it matters: This contradicts the physics of a slice; you need to compensate for the rightward movement.
- Fix: Aim left of the target, allowing the slice to bring it back. It’s about managing the curve.
- Mistake: Adjusting only the clubface and not the swing path.
- Why it matters: Trying to shut the face without fixing an outside-in path can lead to hooks or pull-hooks.
- Fix: Work on an in-to-out path while ensuring a square clubface at impact. It’s a two-part solution.
- Mistake: Gripping the club too tightly.
- Why it matters: Excessive tension restricts wrist action and can lead to an open clubface at impact.
- Fix: Loosen your grip pressure and focus on a relaxed hold. Think of holding a bird – not too tight, not too loose.
- Mistake: Ignoring your setup.
- Why it matters: A bad setup is the root of many swing faults. If you start wrong, you have to make compensations.
- Fix: Ensure your aim, ball position, and grip are correct before you even think about swinging.
- Mistake: Trying to “steer” the ball.
- Why it matters: Consciously trying to manipulate the clubface or swing path often leads to more tension and worse results.
- Fix: Focus on making a smooth, natural swing with good tempo and let the adjustments you’ve made take effect.
- Mistake: Blaming the golf ball.
- Why it matters: While different golf balls have different compression and cover characteristics that can affect spin and distance, the primary reason a ball goes right is almost always swing mechanics. A ball with a urethane cover and higher compression might spin more, but it won’t fix a slice on its own.
- Fix: Focus on your swing fundamentals. Once you’ve got those sorted, you can experiment with different golf balls to optimize your game.
FAQ About Why Your Golf Ball Goes Right
- What is the most common reason a golf ball goes right?
The most common reason is an open clubface at impact combined with an outside-to-in swing path. This is often called a slice.
- How does my grip affect my golf ball going right?
A weak grip (left hand too far counter-clockwise for a righty) can make it difficult to square the clubface through impact, leading to a slice.
- Can the type of golf ball influence why my golf ball goes right?
Yes, to a degree. Lower compression golf balls are designed for slower swing speeds and can sometimes feel “softer” or spin more, but the primary cause of a ball going right is almost always swing mechanics, not the ball itself. For a slice, the cover material and overall construction matter less than your swing.
- Should I try to hit a draw to counteract my slice?
While hitting a draw can be a great shot shape, it’s generally better to fix the underlying cause of the slice first. Trying to force a draw without fixing the slice can lead to other problems.
- How much should I aim left of the target?
This varies depending on the severity of your slice. Start by aiming about half a clubhead width left of your target and adjust as needed. You want the ball to end up on your intended target line.
- What if I’m already aiming left and it still goes right?
If you’re aiming left and the ball still curves right, your clubface is likely still open relative to your swing path. Focus on squaring the clubface through impact or consider internal link: Troubleshooting Why Your Golf Shots Go Right for more advanced checks.
- Does my stance width matter?
Yes, a stance that’s too narrow can lead to instability and an uncontrolled swing, potentially causing a slice. A slightly wider, balanced stance helps promote a more solid strike and a better swing path.
Sources:
- Common Reasons for Golf Balls Going Right
- Troubleshooting Why Your Golf Shots Go Right
- Troubleshooting Why Your Golf Shots Are Consistently Going 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.