Most beginning golfers fight a slice, which is a ball that curves dramatically from left to right for right-handed golfers, and the opposite way for left-handers. This shot results from a club coming from outside the target line on the downswing back to the inside of the target line it strikes the ball, creating a spin that makes the ball slice. Instructors have devised thousands of tips to fix a slice swing, but it's up to the golfer to find a proper cure.
Step 1
Check your grip, and then start small. Ask a pro to make sure your grip is correct so that you're delivering a square clubface to the ball.
Step 2
Start with chips and pitch shots, which are miniature versions of the full swing. To reverse the outside-in loop in your swing, exaggerate the opposite. Loop the club to the outside of the target line on your backswing, and drop the club inside the line and through the ball on the downswing. Develop the feel of moving the club through the ball on a path that points to about 10 degrees right of target. Practice this move until you feel comfortable.
Step 3
Take this new move to the range. If you're still slicing, take a golf towel and hold it across your chest while you take your stance with a mid-iron or wedge, pinning the towel to your ribs with your elbows. Hit two buckets of balls, using a half-swing. Keep the towel pinned to your ribs on wedge shots. When hitting mid-irons, let the towel drop from your back elbow as you hit through the ball.
Step 4
Take your new swing to the course and learn from your divots. A proper divot should be on the hole side of where the ball was, pointing at the target or slightly right of target. If you see the divot pointing to the left of your target, you're still swinging outside-in.
Tips and Warnings
- Even if your grip is correct, don't grip too hard. Tension in your forearms makes it harder to unhinge your wrists at the bottom of the swing. Relax and swing smooth and easy on the right path, and watch the ball take off. Golf is much more fun when you're not fighting a bad swing, so invest a little time and money with a local golf pro if your swing path stays faulty. Then practice.
- Don't swing hard during the towel drill, or you can hurt yourself. The goal is a proper swing path, not trying to hit the ball to the back of the range.
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