Driving · Lesson
Fix a Push Slice With Better Rotation
Part of our driving programs for slice, push or pull, not enough distance. Build a program with it
A push slice starts right and curves farther right. Usually the face is open and the swing is too far from the inside. Or the club is stuck behind you. Your goal is a face that's closer to square with your path. Better body and forearm rotation through impact helps most. Use the ball to guide you. If it starts right, look at your path and body. If it curves right, look at your face.
Step by step
- Lay a stick along your target line.
- Hit a few drives and note start line and curve.
- Keep your chest turning through impact.
- Let your forearms rotate so the face closes after the ball.
- Check for a straighter start and less curve.
Why it works
A push slice happens when the club path points right of the target and the face is open to that path. If your body stops turning, your arms get stuck behind you and the face stays open. Turning your chest keeps the arms in front of you, and forearm rotation closes the face relative to the path, so the ball starts straighter and curves less.
Common mistakes
- You stop your chest turning at impact and let the arms swing past it.Keep your belt buckle turning toward the target so your chest faces left of the target at the finish, for a right-hander.
- You try to close the face by flipping your hands right at the ball.Let the forearms rotate gradually through impact so the face closes after the ball, not before it.
- You change your aim to chase the curve instead of checking the stick.Set your feet and shoulders parallel to the stick, then judge start line and curve against it.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts closer to your target line instead of well right of the stick.
- The curve to the right gets smaller over several shots.
- Your chest faces the target or slightly left at the finish, and the strike feels centered.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Hit half-swings with a tee in the ground or a lower-lofted club off a tee, and focus only on turning your chest through the ball.
Harder: Hit full drives and try to start the ball on the stick, then shape a small, controlled curve back toward the target.
Common questions
What causes a push slice?
The club path is too far from the inside and the face is open to that path. Often the body stalls and the club gets stuck behind you.
How do I tell if my path or my face is the problem?
If the ball starts right, look at your path and body turn. If it starts on line but curves right, look at your face.
