What causes a slice shot on the golf course?
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.
Why do golfers slice the target line so often?
So little of the time does the club head spend on the target line and golfers who seek to do this will often result in a power-robbing slice. Going back to the concept that a golf swing is circular. When you make your backswing and your upper body rotates so that your shoulders are turned away from the target.
How to fix a slice in golf?
Work on mastering these essential concepts for how to fix a slice in golf. Then, the next time you hit the course: Remember your club face awareness. Remember your tips for setting up your driver shots. Try running the TV drill a few times before you start your round. You’ll be shocked at how easy it is to get rid of the slice.
Why does the ball spin to the right when I slice?
When these factors are all present it will produce a shot that sees the ball start left of the target that will spin aggressively to the right. A slice is strongly associated with an open stance. Indeed, it is very likely that your feet are aligned to the left of the target at address whenever producing slices.
What is a golf slice?
The dreaded golf slice – a ball that can start any direction, but curves dramatically to the right (for a right-hander) – often into the trees or out of bounds. Amateurs try all sorts of things to fix their slice;
Can you draw a slice with a left swing path?
Sure – you can’t draw the ball with a left swing path (barring some wild gear effect – see later), but you can manage it and turn a slice into a fade (like Hogan, Nicklaus etc) by having the face LESS OPEN to the path. An “out-of -control” slice is created by a combination of a left swing path AND a face that is too open (to the right of) that 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 are the most common mistakes that slicers make?
One of the most common mistakes we see among slicers is their setup . Interestingly, problems in the setup often occur as an instinctual effort to fix the golf slice. Golfers see their ball veering to the right, so they make subconscious changes to aim more to the left.
How to swing a golf club from your lead thigh to your trail high?
Focus on the journey of the club handle. You want to swing the handle from your lead thigh back to your trail high, at which point the club shaft should be parallel to the ground. Before the handle reaches your trail thigh, the logo on your golf glove should point down at the golf ball.
What is the shape of a golf swing?
Your golf swing travels in a circle shape. This circle is vertical, but it’s not straight up and down. If your swing shape is a hula hoop, it’s a hula hoop that leans in toward your body just a bit. Because of this lean, the direction of your swing path changes after you hit the low point.
How far does a golf ball curve when hitting a fade?
When you hit a fade, the golf ball curves only about 5-7 yards from the target line. When you slice it, the golf ball curves farther . . . around 15 yards to the right of the target line. If your ball flight resembles a peeling banana, you’re dealing with a slice.
How to get a square face in golf?
Place an object—a tee, a towel, anything—just to the right of your target path. Take your golf shot. Finish with the butt end of your club pointed at the object you set out. This drill teaches you how to release the club at the right time to deliver a square club face.
What happens when you hit a low point?
Because of this lean, the direction of your swing path changes after you hit the low point. So if the club head travels toward the right on the descent, it’s going to head back towards the left on the ascent. Now, you hit down on your iron shots, which means you make contact before the low point.
Why is a slice considered a golf shot?
Because it misses the target it is considered a golf shot error that should be avoided. Note that technically, a slice can also be referred to as a pull slice since similarly to that shot, the ball will start left of the target. Continue reading in order to find out what causes slices and for advice on how to stop slicing shots.
What is a slice in golf?
In golf a slice – or a sliced shot – is one that sees the ball beginning its flight left of the target initially but then curving aggressively to the right as a result of strong clockwise sidespin. Because it misses the target it is considered a golf shot error that should be avoided. Note that technically, a slice can also be referred ...
What direction does the clubface go in a slice?
Or in other words, the clubface must aim to the right of the direction of the club path itself. In addition to this, because the ball starts its flight left of the target initially it means that the club was closed relative ...
What is the difference between left to right spin and left to right spin?
But again, the left to right spin comes as a result of a clubface that is open relative to the club path.
What is a severe outside-in club path?
Severe outside-in club path, Clubface that is open relative to the path and. Clubface that is point ing to the left of the target at impact. When these factors are all present it will produce a shot that sees the ball start left of the target that will spin aggressively to the right.
Why is my golf club open at impact?
The reason your club is open to the path at impact is probably because you are using a grip that is too weak for your swing. Indeed, a grip that is of the weaker variety promotes a lazy release of the hands and club at impact, which effectively leaves the clubface open to the path. Moving to a stronger grip can be done easily.
Why do you slice your feet to the left?
In most cases, golfers who slice will aim to the left of the target in order to leave enough room for the ball to spin right and come to rest in the fairway. Such a stance can alone be responsible for the outside-in club path ...
What does it mean when a golfer hits the ball to the right of the target but on a straight line
A right-handed golfer hitting the ball to the right of the target but on a straight line is hitting a push shot. Your divot, if there is one, will point right of your target line.
What causes a golfer to make contact with the ball?
Ball Position: The ball might be too far back in your stance. This causes you to make contact when the club is still swinging to right field. Backswing: You might be too far inside on the backswing, pulling the club away from the target line.
What is the difference between a right handed golfer and a left handed golfer?
If you are a right-handed golfer you are pushing the shot or pushing the ball. If you are a left-hander, you are pulling the shot or pulling the ball . Below, golf instructor Roger Gunn gives us a checklist of possible causes for these types of mishits, but the faults and fixes differ depending on the golfer's handedness.
Where should the golf club be on the downswing?
The club should be over your shoulder at the top, not over your head. Downswing: Your arms are likely pushing away from your body at the transition. Keep your arms in so that they pass close to the left pants pocket on the approach. Make sure your head doesn't move toward the target until after impact.
Is it a good sign to point right after a tee shot?
It's not usually a good sign when a golfer is pointing right after a tee shot, as Vijay Singh does here. Robert Laberge/Getty Images. Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism.
Why do I slice my golf club?
1. Open club face. 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. You can make this adjustment by turning one of both ...
Why do I keep slicing the golf ball?
There may be no greater power loss than a slice. The ball sometimes starts out ok and then makes this depressing curve, robbing you of all of your potential distance and power.
What are the challenges of golf?
One of the great challenges when studying golf is knowing when information is correct for you. The foot positions that are great for the the tour players, might not be appropriate for anyone with flexibility limitations. A square back foot and a flared forward foot will affect the swing path and produce a slice for many golfers who have limitations.
What is the purpose of a square face golf club?
One of the great stabilizers of a square club face is to keep your underarms relatively close to your body throughout your golf swing. If on your backswing or your downswing your underarms move away from your body, it is very easy to open the face.
How to rotate back on a golf swing?
If you slice the ball try the opposite. Flare your back foot and square your forward foot. This will help increase your ability to rotate back and also slow your body rotation down on your forward swing, both helping with path and sequencing of body and arms. 1. Open club face 2. Thumbs too on-top of the grip 3.
What happens if you move your ball too far back?
Ball position that is too far back can cause a slice and/or a pop up. As your move your ball more forward it is also important that you allow your shoulders to tilt back and away from the target. Your lead shoulder should get higher and your back shoulder lower.
How does width affect golf swing?
If the lead arm stays too stiff for too long on your forward swing, this will not only hold the club face open and making the ball s lice, but also delays the release of the club face and the speed associated.
How to get rid of slice in golf?
They could see in five minutes that getting rid of their slice is the first step to playing to their potential. BLEND IN A SWING: In Step 3, start with a two-thirds backswing, make a full turn and start hitting shots. You're close to making a real swing--and losing your slice.
Why do people slice the ball?
There's a good reason why people who slice the ball want to fix it: Because on the road you take to playing good golf, nowhere is there a slice. You can go from hitting a hook to playing good golf, but if you don't learn how to stop hitting shots with an open clubface, you won't get very far. The unfortunate reality is that a large majority ...
Why do slicers use a driver with little loft?
Almost all slicers use a driver with too little loft, because they're reacting to their high, weak ball flight. The new adjustable drivers let you increase the loft and move weight to the clubhead's heel.
How to get a better grip on a golf club?
STEP 1: DRAW A BACKWARD LOOP. Checking your new grip, take your normal stance, with the ball just inside your front heel. But instead of soling the clubhead as usual, set it in front of the ball.
How to swing a golf club on a shallower plane?
As you swing, the club will naturally drop onto a shallower plane as it approaches the ball, and your hands will start to release, or roll over. *ADD A TURN: in step 2, start from a normal setup, lift the club over your head, turn back and swing over the ball. The club will swing on a shallower plane.
What percentage of players struggle with slice?
The unfortunate reality is that a large majority of players--maybe 90 percent--struggle with a slice. They don't have a good grip, they make a steep swing into the ball, and they don't understand how the hands work in a good release. Those things combine to produce high, weak shots to the right. One teaching strategy that has always worked ...
How to make your grip stronger?
Make your grip stronger, so your hands are turned away from the target and your palms are parallel with each other. If you drew lines up from the base of your thumbs, they should hit the point of your collar on the right side of your shirt. Also, gripping too tight keeps the hands from releasing through impact.
Why does my golf club hang behind my swing?
Your body turns too quickly for your arms to match , the club hangs behind your swing throughout the downswing, and the face is open at impact. To correct this problem, you are going to need to work on the 'connection' that exists between your arms and the rest of your body.
What happens when you release your hands from the top of the golf club?
When your hands release the club right from the top, you will force the club up and over the proper plane, and you will be forced to swing across the line as you come through the hitting area. If you fight a slice as well as an occasional block, you can bet that you are releasing your hands too early in the swing.
What does it mean to block a shot to the right of the target?
For a right handed golfer, blocking the ball to the right of the target is a common mistake that will often lead to a bogey or worse on the scorecard. Of course, if you play left handed, a block is actually a shot that flies out to the left rather than the right.
How to get your arms connected all the way up to the top of your swing?
The key to being nicely connected all the way up to the top of your swing is to make a good shoulder turn. Without a good turn in your shoulders, your arms are sure to 'run away' with the backswing , resulting in a position at the top where your arms are wrapped around your back.
What are the flaws in golf?
If you tend to block shots with the driver or fairway clubs, the culprit is likely one of these simple flaws: 1. Setting up with the ball too far back in your stance. 2. Taking the club back on an exaggerated inside arc. 3.
Why is my ball so far back in my stance?
If you are playing the ball too far back in your stance currently, that seemingly minor error could be the cause of your blocked shots.
How to hit a golf shot at 75% power?
You'll find it impossible to slide the hips toward the target while maintaining balance. Instead, you'll have to rotate smoothly, allowing the shoulders and arms to keep pace. Bye-bye, block. Stop Blocking Golf Shots to the Right.
Why do I get a slice shot in the woods?
Golfers often find themselves in the woods after hitting a slice. 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. ...
How to strike a golf ball?
Position the ball off the inside of your front foot, about even with your heel , to promote an upward strike of the golf ball. Striking the ball on the upswing will help promote a straighter flight and greater distance. Most slices with the driver result from a downward angle of attack, which produces weak distance and a slicing spin. Set up to the ball with your head a few inches behind the ball to help promote an upward strike.
What does it mean to have an open clubface?
This forces him to pull the clubhead closer (inside) to strike the ball on the tee. An open clubface means the clubface points to the right of the target at impact. To eliminate the slice you need the proper grip and setup, an inside-to-out downswing path and a square clubface.
How to grip a golf club with a left hand?
Grip the club with the left hand first (again, for a right-handed golfer). Position the grip mainly in the fingers of your left hand. With the club grounded, you should be able to see at least two knuckles of your left hand as you look down at the club. Golfers with a big slice should strive to see three knuckles of the left hand.
How to square a golf club?
Square the clubface by rotating the toe (outside edge) of the club over the heel (inside edge) as you swing through impact. This eliminates an open clubface at impact, which contributes to a slice. Rotating the toe of the club over the heel will straighten out your ball flight or produce a slight right to left flight.
How to get a good shoulder turn on the backswing?
With your head behind the ball and your right hand grip below the left, you'll have a natural tilt in your shoulders at address. The proper shoulder tilt at address will promote a good shoulder turn on the backswing.
Which finger should be the V?
The "V" formed by your left index finger and thumb should point toward your right shoulder. Set your right-hand grip to compliment the left. The "V" formed by your right index finger and thumb should also point to your right shoulder.
What Causes slices?
- Clubface Closed at Impact, But Open to the Club Path
In order for a shot to feature considerable side spin the clubface must hit the ball with an angle that doesn’t match that of the club path. Or in other words, the clubface will not be perpendicular to the direction of the club at impact if the ball is to spin sideways. In the particular case of a slic…
Other Possible Reasons For An Open Clubface
- Are you bringing the club back with an open clubface during the takeaway?
Your open clubface issues might also be caused early in your swing through the position of the club before it reaches the top of the swing. Indeed, an open clubface takeaway features the leading edge of the club pointing towards the sky a little when the shaft is parallel to the ground… - Are your wrists cupped at the top of the swing?
During the backswing portion of your swing you wrists will naturally hinge and cock up until you reach the top of the swing. At that position, you’ll need to make sure your wrists are not positioned in a way that they promote an open clubface at impact. Such an undesirable position will see yo…
Other Possible Reasons For An Outside-In Club Path
- Are you coming over the top?
A likely reason for hitting balls with an outside-in club path may be that you are coming over the top. Indeed, in this swing error the hands are pushed or are otherwise located away from the body when beginning the downswing. In doing so, the hands bring the clubhead outside of the target li… - Are you locking your left knee at impact?
The way your left knee is positioned at impact can also help explain why your club can take an outside-in trajectory. Indeed, locking your left leg or straightening it entirely ahead of impact moves your hips away from the mostly fixed central axis they should be. And it moves them in a …
Other Possible Reasons For A Slice
- If the previous reasons still don’t entirely explain the core of your slicing shot issues then you’ll want to consider the following alternative explanations.
Push Slice – How to Stop Push Slicing Shots Right
- In golf a push slice is one that features the same left to right side spin that is found in a slice but with the notable difference that the shot starts right of the target instead of left. So in contrast to the slice shot proper, a push slice will see the ball starting right of the target and proceeding to curving right still. And similarly to the slice shot itself, because the ball will come to rest way righ…