
Full Answer
What does a "slice" mean in golf?
Apr 04, 2022 · A slice is a type of golf shot that curves the same way as a fade, but it curves a lot more and it’s harder to control. While a slice is played intentionally at times, it’s more commonly the result of a mishit! For righties, a slice will start left and curve to the right; for lefties, a slice will start right and curve to the left.
What is the difference between Slice and hook in golf?
A slice is a golf shot that curves off to the right (for right-handed golfers). It is one of the most common mis-hits for amateurs. Many golfers struggle …
How to cure a golf slice?
Apr 22, 2021 · If you're slicing the ball, your clubface is probably open. Here's how to fix it. Getty Images There are two “S” words that golfers dread more …
How to correct a golf slice?
Mar 24, 2022 · The type of golf shot where the golf ball bends from left to right while on the flight (For a right-handed golfer) is known as a “Slice.” However, what is worse is that the shot loses distance when moving in the sideways and creates a sidespin. First, it is to be kept in mind that a slice refers to a 1 shot missed among 99.

What is considered a slice in golf?
A slice happens when a sidespin is put on the ball, causing it to curve to the right for a right-handed player and to the left for a left-handed player. Sidespin to the right is caused when the clubface is open (pointed right) relative to the path the club is traveling as the club impacts the ball.
Why do you slice a golf shot?
A slice shot is caused by a poor grip and setup, an outside-to-in downswing path and an open clubface. An outside-to-in path occurs when the golfer reaches too far on the downside, bringing the club down to the right of the ball (outside), relative to the target line.
What does it mean to slice the ball?
Updated on 05/24/19. A "slice" is a type of golf shot in which the golf ball curves dramatically in flight from left to right (for a right-handed golfer). The slice can be played intentionally, but is usually the result of a mishit. Slices are the most common problem for recreational and high-handicap golfers.May 24, 2019
Why is it called a slice golf?
The word slice was thought of to describe a golf shot at a similar time to the word 'cut', which is used to describe a slight fade of the ball.Jan 1, 2010
Can standing too close to the golf ball cause a slice?
Standing too close to the ball causes a loss of posture, reduction in arm extension, loss of balance, loss of speed, toe hits, slices, low hooks and a change in swing path. Always check you setup first when you start hitting errant shots.Feb 22, 2013
What's the difference between a slice and a hook?
In simple terms, a slice is a fade that never came off right. While a hook is a draw gone wrong. In reality, it is far more complex than that, as multiple factors can induce a slice or a hook. A slice is when the ball curves off to the right and a hook is it when it curves off to the left, generally speaking.
Why do most golfers slice?
This visual challenge, called parallax, is caused by your eyes being to the side of the ball at address. Parallax makes slicers try to pull the ball to hit their target. But the more you swing left, the more likely the clubface will be open to that path at impact, which causes a slice.May 9, 2017
Can ball position cause a slice?
The forward ball position shifts the shoulders open to the target, which leads to an out-to-in swing and usually a slice. Standing too far from the ball pulls the upper body downward, leading to a compensating stand-up move through impact, another common cause of the slice.Jul 28, 2009
Which direction does a slice go?
What is a Slice? A slice is the opposite of a hook. For a right-handed golfer, a slice begins to the left of the target and curves back to the right. Once again, the definition is the opposite for left-handed golfers.Sep 8, 2020
Does a strong grip cause a slice?
The ball will always leave the clubface, at a right angle to the clubface, regardless of the path the club is swung on unless there is enough time and force to alter what's known as the Venturi Effect. 2. A strong grip eliminates a slice.
How do you hold a driver not to slice?
TIP FOR YOUR GRIP: Set your left thumb on the back side of the grip and your right one on top. If you hit a lot of slices, you should "strengthen" your left-hand position on the club. All you have to do is grip it more in the fingers, as opposed to the palm.Nov 21, 2013
Why do I hit a slice?
What causes a slice? The most common cause of a slice is an outside-in swing path. This means that through the initial part of your downswing, your club is outside the line of the ball (or further away from you than it should be).
What is a slice and hook?
A slice and a hook are both mishit golf shots resulting from a combination of swing flaws but that is where the similarities end. A slice is as previously discussed, a sharply curving golf shot that moves left to right for right-handed golfers and right to left for left-handed golfers.
How are slice and fade similar?
A slice and a fade are both similar in that the spin exerted on the ball moves it to the right for right-handed golfers and left for left-handed golfers. The spin on a golf ball from a fade allows it to land softer and typically does not roll out very far. However, there are a couple of distinct differences between the two.
How are slice and shank golf shots similar?
Both shots move in a similar direction away from the golfer and are results of an outside-in swing with an open clubface. However, the primary difference is where the golf club makes contact with the golf ball. For a slice, the golf ball makes contact somewhere on the clubface, providing a much cleaner feeling and normal-sounding shot at impact.
Why do I get a slice in golf?
Yes, one of the recognized causes of a slice is a weak grip. In a weak grip, you keep your thumbs on the top of the grip, making the clubhead open. This fact is directly responsible for the slice shots.
What is a pull slice in golf?
If the golf ball started from the left of the target and ended up to the right, it called A pull slice. If the golf ball started from the right and ended up slicing more right-side of the target, it is called a push slice. The last one is the standard slice. The classic slice shot starts following the target but ended up on the right or left.
What is slice shot?
A slice shot is when the ball makes a curve from left to right. This curve might be from right to left. It depends on the golfers’ hand status. If you are a right-hander, your slicing tendency will be to the right. If you are left hander, your slicing tendency will be to the left. Generally, slicing is the combination of an open clubface’s impact ...
How to avoid a slice?
That’s why a firm and good grip is highly recommended to avoid the slice. However, a firm grip is not holding the club tightly and firmly with full pressure. Hold the club, maintaining the tightness, be comfortable with gripping but don’t keep slippery.
How to avoid slicing in golf?
A useful technique to avoid slicing in golf is tilting your shoulder with the swing of the club. Make your shoulder parallel with the target. Now tilt down your shoulder when you swing forward from the back. This technique will help you to adjust the clubface with your body.
What is the standing setup of a shot?
Standing setup includes your body position, shoulder, arms, legs should be parallel with the ball’s target and position. If all set correctly, your tendency to slice the ball to the right or left will be decreased.
What is the difference between a slice and a fade?
But there is a tricky difference between a fade and a slice. In slice shot, the golf ball takes the curves unintentionally, but a shot golfer makes the curve intentionally and controlled in a fade. Sometimes a perfect fade shot can save extra shots to find the target.
What is a sliced shot in golf?
A sliced golf shot can be explained as a shot with either a wood or an iron that starts in the direction of the flag but then proceeds to slice off to the right for right-handed players and to the left for left-handed players.
Can you get rid of a slice in golf?
A slice is most golfer’s worst nightmare, but with the right plan of action, you can get rid of it. Keep in mind that adjustments to your golf swing take time and practice, don’t be deterred if you don’t see results instantly.
What is golf alignment?
Alignment is a basic fundamental of the golf game. Proper alignment might seem easy and intuitive but even some of the best golfers in the world struggle with alignment on an on-going basis.
What is the grip of a golf club?
The grip is the only point of contact that a golfer has with the golf club therefore it is of utmost importance to grip the club correctly since it has a direct implication on the angle of your clubface at impact.
What is the swing path of a golf ball?
Swing path refers to the angle of your golf swing in relation to your target. If your swing path and clubface angles are both 0 degrees at impact the golf ball will go straight. If your swing path is – 3 degrees but your clubface is 5 degrees, the golf ball will start to the left of your target and curve to the right.
What is a slice in golf?
By John Wagner. A slice is a golf shot that curves off to the right (for right-handed golfers). It is one of the most common mis-hits for amateurs. Many golfers struggle with a slice because they don't understand the cause. The physics that cause a slice revolve around two things: the club face and the swing path.
What causes a slice in golf?
A standard slice is caused by an open club face and an outside-to-in swing path. These combine to create the sidespin that causes the ball to go right. The more open the club face is at impact, the more sidespin the ball will have. The swing path determines the starting point of the slice.
How to fix a slice in golf?
To fix a slice, the golfer has to square the clubface and swing on the correct path. Closing your clubface more during your swing is one way to correct that element. The golfer must also fix a downswing that comes over the top, causing the club to swing across the ball from an outside-to-in path. Try closing your stance and swinging along ...
Who is John Wagner?
John Wagner is a certified golf instructor and professional golfer with more than 10 years of experience. As a certified GolfTEC, TPI Level 3 and Chuck Cook Golf Instructor, he has given more than 9,000 golf lessons.
What percentage of golfers hit a slice?
They found that about 60 percent of all golfers hit a slice, with an average score of 101, and higher-handicaps tend to miss to the right of their target more than half the time. Sound like you? Turns out, there’s once cause above all else that’s probably causing you to slice so many shots.
Who is Luke Kerr?
Luke Kerr-Dineen. Luke Kerr-Dineen is the Game Improvement Editor at GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. In his role he oversees all the brand’s service journalism spanning instruction, equipment, health and fitness, across all of GOLF’s multimedia platforms.
Is the clubface open at impact?
Your clubface is probably open at impact. What may seem obvious to some isn’t to others: The clubface is king in golf. The direction the clubface is pointing at impact will influence the ball’s direction more than anything else in your swing. Instruction.
Who is Luke Kerr-Dineen?
Luke Kerr-Dineen is the Game Improvement Editor at GOLF Magazine and GOLF .com. In his role he oversees all the brand’s service journalism spanning instruction, equipment, health and fitness, across all of GOLF’s multimedia platforms.
Why do you slice the ball in golf?
There is rarely one single thing that can create a specific shot in golf, but based upon “Ball Fight Laws”, the only reason to slice the ball is when the clubface is open. Therefore, one should identify why the clubface is open. One of the reasons for the clubface being open can be the top swing motion of the ball.
What is a slice shot?
A dreaded slice is often a frustrating shot for a golfer. Before beginning this article, let’s see what is slice shot. The type of golf shot where the golf ball bends from left to right while on the flight (For a right-handed golfer) is known as a “Slice.”. However, what is worse is that the shot loses distance when moving in ...
How to quit slicing the ball?
To quit slicing the ball, one should work on their swing path. If he or she is coming over the top, will have to work on creating an inside to out swing path.
What is the clubface of a golf ball?
Clubface is open relative to the path. The clubface is pointing to the left of the target. When these factors are seen, the ball will start from left of the target and will spin intrusively towards the right side. In this regard, it’s important to know how to stop and fix a slice to become a good golfer.
What happens when you aim to the left in golf?
When some golfers aim to the left, they make the slice even worse. This seems like a good solution and keeping this in mind, one can escape slicing on the primary basis.
What determines if a slice hits the ball straight?
A clubface often determines if one slice draws or hits the ball straight. The higher swing speed and longer shaft of a driver make squaring the club to be the most hardest. Moreover, if one is hitting a monster slice, the clubface should be kept open. He must work on squaring up the face sooner on his downswing.
What does slice mean in physics?
As explained earlier, a slice indicates nothing but the result of a specified and combined situation of both the clubface angle and the club path.
What is a slice in golf?
For a right-handed golfer, a slice is a golf shot that curves dramatically toward the right. A slice is never controlled and never intentional. It takes you off course and adds strokes to your game. Trust us. You enjoy a round much more when you learn how to fix a slice in golf.
What is the swing path?
The swing path describes the path of your club head as you swing through. Your swing path will always be oriented in one of three directions. In to out: The swing path travels toward the right of the target (if you’re right-handed) Out to in: The swing path travels toward the left of the target.
What is a draw and fade?
Think of a draw and a fade. A draw curves gently to the left (if you’re right-handed). A fade curves slightly to the right. Both of these are controlled golf shots that can help you navigate the course better because they curve. A slice, on the other hand, is always a hindrance.

Explanation of A Slice
- A sliced golf shot can be explained as a shot with either a wood or an ironthat starts in the direction of the flag but then proceeds to slice off to the right for right-handed players and to the left for left-handed players. More often than not golfers get confused between a fade and a slice. A fade is a controlled shot where the player intends to start the ball slightly left of the target and …
Different Causes of A Slice
- Before we take a closer look at the different causes of a sliced golf shot it is very important to understand that every golf swing is unique and what causes one golfer to slice the golf ball might be completely different from that of another golfer. Ideally, if you struggle with getting rid of a dreaded slice the best option is to seek the help of a qualified PGA Professional golf coach. Wit…
How to Fix A Slice
- Now that we have a better understanding as to what tends to cause a slice let’s take a look at how these different problems can be fixed.
Final Thoughts
- A slice is most golfer’s worst nightmare, but with the right plan of action, you can get rid of it. Keep in mind that adjustments to your golf swing take time and practice, don’t be deterred if you don’t see results instantly.