Struggling with a slice in golf? It’s frustrating. The ball shoots right for right-handed players, stealing distance and accuracy.
The most common causes of a golf slice are an out-to-in swing path and an open club face at impact. Both can be fixed with the right knowledge and practice.
Before we try to fix it, we need to know why a slice happens. Small tweaks in grip, stance, and swing can change everything.
With some straightforward drills and a bit of patience, straighter shots are totally within reach. It makes the game a lot more fun, honestly.
Key Takeaways
- A slice is usually caused by swing path and club face issues
- Fixing a slice involves simple technical adjustments and practice
- Step-by-step drills help us build better habits and prevent future problems
Understanding the Slice: Key Causes
A slice is that annoying curve right (for righties) that ruins a good shot. It’s usually a mix of swing path, clubface alignment, grip, hand movement, weight shift, and what our lead shoulder is doing.
Swing Path and Clubface Alignment
The two big culprits are swing path and clubface alignment at impact. If the club swings from outside to inside—across the target line—it sets up the ball to spin sideways.
An open clubface at impact just makes that sideways spin worse. It’s a recipe for a slice.
A quick cheat sheet:
| Club Path | Clubface | Ball Flight |
|---|---|---|
| Outside-In | Open | Slice (right) |
| Straight | Square | Straight |
| Inside-Out | Closed | Hook (left) |
The closer our club path and clubface match the target line, the straighter our shots. If one’s off, the ball curves.
Keeping the clubface less open and swinging more toward the target helps a ton.
Grip and Hand Action
How we grip the club affects the clubface angle at impact. A weak grip—hands turned too far left—leaves the face open. That’s a slice waiting to happen.
Hand action matters too. If our hands don’t rotate or “release” the clubhead on the downswing, the face stays open.
A neutral grip lets us control the clubface better. We want to see a couple knuckles from our lead hand when we look down.
Weight Shift and Leading Shoulder
Body movement and balance are sneaky slice factors. If we don’t shift weight from back foot to front, we can’t rotate or release the club right.
The lead shoulder can mess things up, too. If it pulls up and away from the target too soon, the club path moves across the ball and opens the face.
Focusing on moving weight toward the target and letting the lead shoulder rotate under our chin—without pulling up—helps keep the club path and face in check.
Technical Adjustments to Fix Your Slice
A slice usually comes down to grip, swing path, and clubface control. Focusing on these areas can really change your game.
Small setup tweaks and technical fixes can make a surprising difference.
Optimizing Grip Strength
Grip strength is a biggie. Too weak, and the clubface stays open, sending the ball right.
To fix it, check how many knuckles you see on your lead hand (left hand for righties) when gripping the club. Two or three is good.
Try this:
- Hold the club naturally at address
- Make sure the “V” between thumb and forefinger on both hands points toward your right shoulder
- Keep grip pressure firm but not a death grip
A stronger grip helps square the clubface and leads to straighter shots. Sometimes it feels odd at first, but stick with it.
Swing Path Corrections
That out-to-in swing path? It’s the classic slice move. The club cuts across the ball, spinning it right.
We want to swing from the inside. Picture the club coming from inside the target line, through the ball, and out.
Try placing an object or tee just outside the ball to feel the right path. A few pointers:
- Do slow swings, focusing on the path
- Use alignment sticks on the ground for target and swing lines
- Imagine swinging out toward right field (for right-handed players)
Changing muscle memory takes time, but these drills help.
Clubface Control and Feel
Controlling the clubface is everything. Even with a good path and grip, an open face at impact means slice city.
Pay attention to feel during the swing. Pause at the top and halfway down—check your clubface.
Tips:
- Keep the back of your lead hand pointed at the target at impact
- Practice slow-motion swings to check face position
- Try drills that encourage closing the face at impact
Getting a better feel for the clubface makes it easier to square it up.
Drills and Practice Strategies
Fixing a slice isn’t magic—it’s understanding and practice. Drills help us target the main issues and actually see progress.
Driving Range Drills
At the range, we want to groove the right swing path and clubface control. One classic is the “alignment stick” drill—set two sticks or clubs on the ground: one along our feet, one at the target.
Try the “closed clubface drill.” Set up with the clubface a bit closed, and make swings to feel how to keep it from opening at impact.
Hit 10 balls, focusing just on the new moves. Watch the ball’s start and curve. Is it flying straighter? Maybe even drawing a bit? That’s progress.
Ball Flight Shaping
Learning to shape ball flight helps kill a slice. Try teeing the ball a little back in your stance—this encourages an inside-to-out swing.
A stronger grip can also reduce rightward spin. Practice hitting draws and even hooks—aim right and let the face close through impact. It’s okay to experiment.
Watch the ball closely. Still slicing? Adjust your stance or grip again. The goal is to control start line and curve, not just hope for the best.
Follow Through Practice
Our finish tells us a lot. Try ending with your chest and belt buckle facing the target. If you’re balanced, your swing path was probably decent.
Watch your hands and arms—do they wrap around your body naturally? If they shoot out or stop short, something’s off.
Hold your finish until the ball lands. If you’re falling backward or off balance, rewind and check your earlier moves.
A strong finish is a good habit. It helps with both distance and accuracy.
Maintaining Progress and Avoiding Slice Problems
Fixing a slice takes effort, and it’s easy to fall back into old habits. Staying sharp on form and tracking progress keeps things on track.
Tracking Improvement
Keeping notes on practice sessions and rounds helps. Track fairways hit, ball flight, distance—whatever shows slice patterns.
A simple table or an app does the trick. Here’s an example:
| Date | Fairways Hit | Miss Direction | Slice Noted | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/10/2025 | 6/14 | Right | Yes | Grip too weak |
| 5/17/2025 | 9/14 | Left/Right | No | Good tempo |
Record changes to grip, stance, or swing. Video is great, too—seeing your own swing is eye-opening.
Preventing Recurring Issues
Even after you fix a slice, you’ve got to keep checking your habits. Grip, stance, swing path—don’t let them slip.
Checking in with a coach now and then can catch mistakes before they get baked in. If shots start fading right, pause and fix it early.
Some habits that help:
- Warm up with drills that target swing path
- Practice with alignment sticks for aim and target line
- Slow down when accuracy slips, especially with the driver
Staying alert (and a little humble) keeps those slice demons at bay. Peer or coach feedback is gold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Focusing on grip, swing path, and alignment makes a bigger difference than most folks realize. A few tweaks can mean fewer sliced balls.
What adjustments can correct a slice in golf?
Check your grip—make sure it’s not too weak. Set up with feet, hips, and shoulders square to the target. Slow down, and swing in-to-out.
How does club path contribute to a golf slice?
If the club moves across the ball from outside to inside, it creates sidespin. That’s what curves the ball in the air and causes a slice.
A more in-to-out swing path helps reduce or stop your slice.
Can grip changes help eliminate a golf slice?
Absolutely. If your grip is too weak (hands turned left for righties), the clubface will be open at impact. Turning your hands a bit to the right strengthens the grip and helps square the face.
Why does my golf ball keep slicing when I use irons?
It’s usually the same reason as with drivers: swinging over the top or leaving the clubface open. Focus on a square setup and a controlled, in-to-out swing path with irons—don’t just save those fixes for the driver.
What role does body alignment play in fixing a golf slice?
Body alignment is more important than most folks think. It really should match where you want the ball to go.
If you line up too far left—especially if you’re right-handed—you might just set yourself up for an outside-in swing. That’s a recipe for a slice.
Try to keep your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders all running parallel to your target line. It sounds simple, but it can make a world of difference in getting your swing on track.
How can I consistently prevent slicing the ball with my driver?
First off, double-check that your grip feels right and your alignment isn’t off before you swing. It’s easy to overlook, but those basics matter more than you’d think.
Try slowing down your backswing a bit. Don’t rush it or let the clubface fly open—easier said than done, but worth the effort.
If you can, work with alignment sticks or some kind of training aid. They’re not magic, but over time, they really do help break old habits.