Driving · Lesson
Why You Slice and How to Stop It
Part of our driving programs for slice, not enough distance, topped or thin. Build a program with it
The classic slice comes from two things. Your shoulders open too early. And the club cuts across the ball with the face open. So start at setup. Square your shoulders to the target line. Play the ball forward, with your trail shoulder a little lower. In the downswing, keep your back to the target a bit longer. Then swing your arms out to the right as the face turns closed. You should see the ball start on line and curve less.
Step by step
- Square your shoulders at address.
- Ball forward, trail shoulder slightly low.
- Keep your back to the target a beat longer.
- Swing out to the right as the face closes.
- Look for less curve.
Why it works
A slice happens when the club path moves left of the target line while the face points to the right of that path. Opening your shoulders early pulls the club across the ball from outside to in. Squaring your setup, holding your chest back, and swinging out to the right lets the path move toward the target line while the face closes to meet it, so the ball spins less.
Common mistakes
- You aim your shoulders left of the target at address.Lay a club across your shoulders and check that it points parallel to the target line.
- You spin your chest toward the target as the downswing starts.Feel your back stay toward the target for a beat while your arms start down.
- You swing out to the right but leave the face open.Let your forearms rotate through impact so the toe of the club passes the heel.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts on or near your target line instead of left of it.
- The curve shrinks from a large right bend to a small fade or a straight shot.
- You see a divot or turf mark pointing at the target, not left of it.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Tee the ball a little lower, use a shorter club, and make half swings so you can feel the chest and arm timing.
Harder: Use a full driver swing and try to hit a ball that starts at the target and curves only slightly, with no big miss to the right.
Common questions
Why do I slice the driver but not my irons?
The driver has less loft and a longer shaft, so an open face and an outside-in path create more side spin. Irons have more loft, which hides some of that spin.
Will a stronger grip stop my slice?
A stronger grip can help the face close sooner, but it will not fix open shoulders or an outside-in path. Use it along with the setup and downswing changes in this tip.
