Many amateur golfers are saddled with a frustrating slice. This left-to-right curve to the ball's flight path is caused by the spin imparted by an improper swing. The two factors that contribute to this spin are an out-to-in swing path and the club striking the ball with an open face. Ideally, the swing path should go in-to-out — meaning the head of the club should trace a diagonal line angled slightly away from you as you swing — and the club face should strike the ball squarely instead of with an open slant. You can start to fix your slice by making some subtle adjustments to your stance and grip.
Step 1
Face the ball squarely when you address it. Some golfers try to fix their slices by pivoting their stance so the left shoulder points off to the left of the ball. This usually exacerbates a slice, because it exaggerates the out-to-in swing path. Be sure that the line between your shoulders and the line from the ball to between your feet are perpendicular to each other.
Step 2
Strike straight through the ball to further decrease the out-to-in swing path. Imagine that there's a second ball a few inches in front of the first, and that your swing must hit both. This will prevent you from allowing the swing to proceed to the left — the inside — after you strike the ball.
Step 3
Rotate your grip counter-clockwise a little. Make this adjustment while looking at your hands as they grip the club normally. This will help keep the club's face closed as it strikes the ball.
Step 4
Loosen your grip on the club. Imagine that you are holding a raw egg that you don't want to break as you swing. This will make the club's face less prone to suddenly opening at the end of your swing if your wrists rotate.
Tips and Warnings
- All directional tips in this article are reversed for left-handed golfers.
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