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.
Full Answer
How to cure a golf slice?
So learning how to cure a slice in golf really only requires a six simple steps:
- Understand What Is Causing Your Slice
- Keep The Club Face Square At Impact
- Use a Proper Grip
- Develop A Proper Swing To Correct Your Slice
- Try an Adjustable or Modified Design Driver
- Practice!
What causes golf ball slice?
What Causes a Golf Slice?
- Overview. It's insidious, and it can ruin a golf score. ...
- Improper Grip. As you address the ball, it's possible you are gripping the club too tightly, creating arm tension that will cause you to have an outside-in swing.
- Position Of The Ball. ...
- Move Your Weight. ...
- Your Swing. ...
Why do golfers slice?
- FAULT: YOUR INSTINCT IS TO SWING TO THE LEFT
- FIX: LEARN WHAT AN INSIDE PATH FEELS LIKE. The golfer at top of the page—the one who sees the target to the left—tries to pull the ball and, therefore, comes ...
- FAULT: YOUR SHOULDERS LEAD THE DOWNSWING
- FIX: SWING YOUR ARMS PAST YOUR BODY. ...
What is the difference between Slice and hook?
- Inside-out golf swing path
- The grip is making the club closed at impact
- Arms are too active and coming through way before your body
- Aiming too far to the right of your target
What does a slice mean 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 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.
What is a golf slice and what is 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.
Is slice a type of golf shot?
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.
Whats worse a hook or a slice?
Since your distance is affected as well as your direction, a slice sets up a lot of bogeys. Another reason the hook is considered to be a better miss is that, with the hook shot, a player has usually released the club, but their timing was just off. The player's clubface could also be closed slightly, causing the hook.
Why do most golfers slice?
The most common cause of a slice is an open club face. This open club face will give you contact that isn't square and often feels like a “side swipe.” The most common cause of an open club face is an incorrect grip as your hand position will directly reflect in the face.
Is a slice a fade or draw?
A hook or slice is a more extreme version of a draw or fade. In most cases a draw or fade is a controlled, intentional shot whereas a hook or slice is more extreme and usually comes unintentionally from an errant swing that causes a miss that most of us dread.
Do most golfers hook or slice?
The most common ball flight for amateur golfers is typically the golf slice. The out to in swing path move is very normal and you shouldn't feel bad if this is your usual miss. One way to try and lessen the common golf slice miss is to try to work your swing path more towards the in to out movement.
What is the difference between a slice and a push?
A block is another word for a push — a ball that flies right of the target without any curve. A slice is a shot that curves to the right (for a right-handed golfer).
Why do I slice my irons?
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).
How do you play a slice?
But it can be hard to learn how to control a slice....How to Slice a Golf Ball on PurposePick your target. ... Set up so your feet are aimed left of your target. ... Grip the club so the club face is aimed at your target. ... Make a normal swing. ... Swing through the ball to a balanced finish.
How do I stop slicing my irons?
0:182:02How to stop slicing your irons - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKeep it in contact with your forearm as far behind you as possible it will feel very flat. It willMoreKeep it in contact with your forearm as far behind you as possible it will feel very flat. It will feel very rounded the clubface will feel very open and it will feel miles.
What is slicing in golf?
Generally, slicing is the combination of an open clubface’s impact with a straight or outside-in swing path. When you are slicing, again and again, stop hitting the ball, take your time, find the reason, and correct the fault.
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 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 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 ...
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.
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.
Which way does the golf ball curve in a slice shot?
If you are a righty, in slice shot, the golf ball will curve to the right. But in a hook shot, the ball will tend to make a curve to the left. When you make a slice or hook intentionally, it will be better for your game. But if these shots happen unintentionally, it might be a disadvantage for your game.
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.
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.
What is a draw in golf?
A draw is a type of shot that is the exact opposite of a fade and nothing like a slice. It is a controlled shot and the result of an inside-out swing with a clubface square to the target. For a right-handed golfer, the ball starts right of the target line and gently falls left back towards the intended target. The spin placed on a golf ball from a draw promotes topspin and usually rolls more once it lands.
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 ...
Why is a slice shorter than a properly hit shot?
Having more backspin causes a slice to be much shorter than a properly hit shot. The sidespin causes the ball to curve to the right in the air and then bounce and roll even further right when it hits the ground.
What are the different types of slice?
There are three different types of slices: a pull slice, push slice and standard slice. The pull slice starts left of the target and slices back to the right. A pull slice will end up the straightest of the three because it starts left.
When to slice a golf ball?
When to Slice. There are some instances where slicing can be beneficial. One would be when playing a hole that has a severe dogleg to the right. A controlled slice allows the ball to follow the design of the hole. You might also want to hit a slice when your ball is in the woods and you have to curve the ball around a tree.
Where does a push slice start?
A push slice starts right of the target and slices even further--it is the most detrimental. A standard slice starts down the target line and then goes right.
What is a slice in golf?
What Is A Golf Slice? A slice in golf is when the ball curves excessively to the right (right handed golfer) or to the left (left handed golfer). Note: For the rest of this guide I’m going to use right handed examples. If you’re left handed, then just reverse the instruction.
How does a golf ball slice?
In simple terms, the ball will slice if the clubface is open to the club’s path at impact. Which means that even if your clubface is pointed left of the target line (closed) at impact, if your club is travelling on a path that’s even further left your golf ball is going to curve to the right. image: GolfTec. And the more the clubface is open ...
What does it mean when the ball is open shoulders?
And open shoulders means a club path to the left, which of course combined with an open clubface, leads to a slice.
How to hit a golf ball with a headcover?
Place a headcover just behind and outside the golf ball. If you swing over the top and come out-to-in , you’ll hit the headcover. To hit the ball, you’ll have to come from the inside. There’s no other way to do it.
How to hit a golf ball in slow motion?
Take the club back on an exaggerated outside path on the backswing, then loop it down to the inside at the start of the downswing. And do it in slow motion. You can hit balls, but make sure you’re swinging no-more than 40-50%. If the ball travels 30 yards that’s absolutely fine.
What is the square part of golf?
The square part is when you hit the ball. The first two fixes are bandaids to stop you slicing. But working on your path is actively trying to improve your golf swing (with the associated benefit of eliminating your slice). Rather than focusing on the how here, I’ve found it’s best to give your brain a task.
Should you aim left or right when slicing?
This is what can be an absolute killer for slicers. It seems intuitive that if you’re slicing the ball you should aim left to compensate . But what often ends up happening is that your brain senses you’re aiming left and tries to square the clubface to the target on the way down.
What is the third factor that prompts your slice?
The third factor that prompts your slice is your swing . Golfers with this challenge tend to swing from inside out and attack the ball from a steep angle, causing you to connect the ball with an open face.
What does it mean when a ball pulls left?
A hook occurs when the ball pulls left if you are right-handed and right if you are left-handed. Often this is caused by players closing their clubface at impact and it causes the ball to fly off to the left.
What is the third factor that impacts hook shots?
Rotation is the third factor that impacts hook shots. If you do not transfer your weight through impact. Your hands will take over, and it will lead to a closed clubface.
