How to Stop Slicing in Golf
Golfing is a fun sport. Easy to learn but can take decades to master. Amongst all of the sports out there, Golf requires the most technique, precision and athletic conditioning for its players. Just because it looks easy on TV does not equate to reality.
Golfing comes with its issues.
Like slicing.
Slicing is one of the mistakes that many rookie golfers make.
It can be easily fixed through the information discussed in this article.
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What causes a slice?
Slicing is defined as a mis-hit. This problem occurs when the golf ball curves from left to right in midair. The slice is like a fade however the slice is more severe. An obstacle for new golfers and a nuisance for experienced golfers, slicing is a player’s worst nightmare.
Approximately 90% of golf players struggle with a slice. Making it a widespread issue among all golfers.
Their grip is too low, their form technique is weak, or their foot positioning is off; the 10% who overcome this obstacle are masters of the game.
Just remember that slicing can be cured with instruction from a teaching pro and time practicing new swing techniques that are intended to fix what you’re currently doing wrong in the swing.
The number one cause for slicing is the foot placement and positioning. If a player’s feet and shoulders are not in line with the target, the chances of a slice increase by 63%.
Work on properly aligning the shoulders with the feet.
When getting ready to hit the ball, make sure to place your golf club on the ground pointed at your target. The golf club should be aligned with the feet and the shoulders are aligned to the target as well.
Doing this small adjustment increases the power and control of a player’s hit. The cure for slicing has never been so easy!
Positioning is one of the many flaws that can be corrected. A golfer’s placement within his feet, golf club and distance from the ball can cause either a slice or a great hit. Practicing proper golfing stances will make a player quickly turn into a more adept golfer.
Slicing Tip #1: Watch for contact & club face angle
Sometimes a slice occurs when a club face contacts the ball outside the club’s sweet spot (the center of the club face). If you fail to square up the club face at impact, the higher the chances you will cause a slice.
It is a hard fact to swallow, but hand-eye coordination can make or break a player. One of the best ways to cure a slice is by keeping your head down. Also, make sure that the club face is squared up when it makes contact with the ball.
Slicing Tip #2: Step away from the ball
One problem of getting too close to the ball is that it will cause an out side-in swing path. This is when a golfer moves the club head outside the swing, and then the player moves it back inside the swing plane before contact.
What happens? Another slice!
The golfer ends up cutting across the golf ball with his/her swing path, generating side spin upon the ball which results in curve during ball flight (slicing motion).
To correct this issue, stand further away from the ball forcing you to extend your arms fully before coming in contact with the ball. Additionally, make sure to keep the back straight and the knees flexed as the club is placed down behind the ball.
You’ll want to feel like your swing path is coming from the inside and reaching out to hit the golf ball, promoting an in-to-out swing path, the opposite of the outside-to-inside swing path that causes a slice.
4 Simple Steps to Stop Slicing Your Driver
Slicing is not an easy problem to fix. It will not happen overnight. However, with 5 simple steps a player can improve their golf swing and cut down the severity of their slice.
Step 1: Grip the club with the left hand first.
Make sure to position the grip in the fingers of your left hand. With the club grounded, you can see at least two knuckles of your hand. This is the correct position.
Golfers who have a large slice should attempt to see three knuckles of their hands. Doing this will promote a more closed club face at impact, bringing the club face closer to square position versus leaving the face open.
Step 2: Place the ball off the inside of the front foot. Keep it even with the heel as it causes an upward strike upon the golf ball.
Striking the ball on the upswing will do wonders for a player. Most driver slicing occurs when there is a downward angle of attack. This produces a bad slice spin and weak distance.
Position and set up the ball with your head a few inches behind the ball. This will help promote the upward strike that is desired! With your head placed behind the ball and the right hand is gripped below the left, you will obtain a natural tilt of the shoulders.
Ending with a perfect shoulder and standing stance for the swing! Say good-bye to slices.
Step 3: Swing the club back until the chin is above the left shoulder.
When your chin is above your left shoulder, that is when the optimal striking position is desired. It creates a slice-free swing and a direct shot towards the hole.
Read: Best Takeaways Golf Drills for Improving Your Swing
Step 4: Swing the club down on an inside-to-out path
Make sure to square the club face by rotating outside edge (toe) over the inside edge (heel). Doing this will cause a great impact on the ball and a great reduction in slicing.
TIP: Keep the pressure of the grip light. This helps the toe of the club rotate over the heel.
How to stop slicing your Irons
Sometimes the ball positioning, the perfect stance, and a well calculated swing can prevent a slice. Studies show that 58% of golfers create slices due to the design of the golf club. Irons of poor quality will create bad form. This will then place the golfer in a state of constant slices.
Fix your grip!
Buy golf equipment that correlates to your grip size. Make sure that it fits properly to create better form throughout the process. Having the right grip ensures confidence and technique in a player’s form.
Larger grips can reduce hand action while smaller grips can promote to added hand action. Reducing a slice by creating a smaller grip is less likely to happen. Find the grip needed through hiring a fitting professional or someone that is more advanced in golf.
Find equipment with higher lofts
To find a cure for this, players should find a clubs and drivers with higher lofts. Higher lofts cause more backspin of the ball on impact. Backspin eliminates slice swings by counteracting any negative sidespin that occurs due to slices.
Use a golf club fitting professional
Fitting professionals are great in eliminating slices. They can help find the right offset, center of gravity and shift of your clubs that is needed. This then creates swings that have little to no slices at all!
Do let your current equipment become the reason you slice most of your shots. Practice the use of your clubs often to make sure that they are up to date. A fitting profession can aid new and experienced players through this process in an efficient and accurate manner.
Bonus: Click to download the list of our 15 best golf practice drills
Conclusion
Curing your slice takes a lot of work, time, and patience. It can be easy to get upset and begin to hate the sport of golf but you must realize that no professional golfer was born with natural talent.
It takes lots of refining your technique and golf swing to begin hitting those smooth straight shots we awe at when we watch the golf professionals on TV.
If you have a bad slice in your golf swing, the best advice I can give you is to visit a local teaching pro at a local golf course and have them take a look at your golf slice to figure out a plan for reducing it and ultimately curing it!
Once you’ve corrected your slice, I highly recommend joining our practice program that will go to work building up your short game to a level you’ve never experienced in your life! This plan is intense and has helped many golfers who’ve completed it. You can learn more about it by clicking this link here.