Let’s dive into one area that plagues many a golfer – that ugly ole shot that is chronic with I’d say almost every golfer who steps up to the tee for the first few times…
The Dreaded SLICE!!
Nine out of ten golfers suffer from a slice. Usually it can be caused by a number of reasons or kinks in one’s swing, but it all comes down to one thing – an open clubface when you impact the ball.
We’ll uncover some tactics that will have you conquering that slice instantly.
The slice is just a simple flaw in the golf swing that can be corrected quickly. There are a few different reasons one may slice the ball, but with some tips it can be fixed so your game is no longer filled trying to find your ball in the weeds, trees, and out of bounds.
This goes back to the fundamentals of the golf swing. When you address the ball set up square and make sure the ball is in the right position – i.e. for the drive the ball should be lined up to your front heel.
Make sure you are aligned to the target. A lot of times it’s a matter of stance and alignment.
Envision the ball going straight down the shoot. Perhaps you visualize a bit of a fade or a nice draw. Whatever the case see it before you hit it.
Another piece to keep your thoughts on is your grip. Typically your V’s should be pointing directly up at you. Perhaps to cure that slice try to turn them so they are pointing at your back shoulder.
Put more of the strength in your top hand (i.e. left hand if you’re right handed). This will cause you to release your hands properly as you strike the ball.
Many times a weak grip doesn’t allow your hands to rollover as your club hits the ball. Therefore you come from an outside in direction or with the club face open when it meets the ball.
However keep in mind that you don’t need to choke the club. Some golfers think that the more you squeeze the grip the harder/farther you’ll hit the ball.
This just isn’t the case. You hit the long ball with your entire body – not your grip. Hitting the long ball is an area we’ll dive into in another edition. For now hold the club tight enough that you can control it, but loosely enough that someone could essentially tug it out of your hands.
Most of these tips are due to set up as much as anything. Correct your set up by being aware of your stance, grip, are you lined up with the ball, are your arms straight, where are you aiming at, and so forth…
When you begin your takeaway you want to bring the club back in “one piece” along an imaginary straight line while slowly shifting your body by putting your weight on your back foot.
I like to just whisk across the ground as I bring the club back. Then when it feels right my arms begin to break as I get into my back swing.
Many a slicers don’t shift properly as they end up with their weight on their back foot on the follow through. This is a sure thing for a slice (I’ve even seen golfers master this and play a nice fade over time). Not my recommendation. If you shift your weight properly you won’t have an issue with any slicing.
Remember the swing is a fluid back and forth motion. Your body and arms need to move together to connect with the ball properly.
As you come down on the ball don’t hack at it. Gently begin to move your hands down keeping them in the plane. What tends to happen with a slice is that a golfer will turn their shoulders instead of shifting their body forward.
When you do this, your hands come down from the outside in on the ball causing it to nicely venture from the left to the right (for the right hander) curling beautifully to a destination you don’t want it to go.
Keep those hands in place and let your body pull your hands through the ball and bring that back elbow into your body which will keep you on the right plane.
Another tip is to not drop your back shoulder. This will not allow your body to shift properly as well and you’ll come through the ball with an open face. Plus your distance will be affected if you do this.
I sometimes go as far as trying to come on the inside of the ball basically trying to overcorrect so I don’t
come down over top of the ball (where my plane is outside in causing the ball to slice).
It may or may not work for you, but worked wonders for me.
Some great ways to practice is to line up clubs in the plane you need to swing. One where your feet will go
and one just outside the ball. This will allow you to focus on good alignment and help you to focus on swinging through the plane.
Since the slice is a major issue in golf, there are a lot of great tutorials that provide instruction on how to practice getting rid of the slice.
Does this sounds like a lot to remember?? Yes, which is why golf does take some practice. However, when you’re able to identify the tendencies that cause the slice, then it gets easier and easier to get rid of that ever fateful slice once and for all.
You don’t have to spend a fortune both on and off the course to cure your slice and improve your golf game.
Golf is not as complicated as folks make it to be and with the right instruction you improve your golf game very quickly. and some practice at the range.
Be sure to give these tips a try the next time your out there swinging the clubs. Remember, the number one cause of a slice is poor fundamentals be sure to review yours for proper setup and a good golf swing.
Find more great golf tips and golf instruction reviews at Golf-Made-Simple.com where you’ll discover how to improve you golf game quickly!