Slice No More!
Destroy the banana ball in 4 easy steps
Beating the slice once and for all is a goal that can be accomplished
by almost any golfer, provided the right approach is taken. In my
four-step system, there are no quick fixes—just sound instruction that
focuses on key slice-causing elements and methods for eliminating them
from the golf swing. In step one, you’ll learn to analyze your divots
and figure out if your slice is the result of a bad path or a faulty
clubface angle, or both. Step two will tell you how to determine what
type of downswing you have and what powers it. In step three, the
question of proper grip and how to match it to your downswing type is
addressed, and in step four, you’ll learn to match your position at the
top with the right transitional move toward the ball and impact.
One of the few constants in the game of golf is that recreational
players tend to struggle with the slice, particularly off the tee. Of
course, more accomplished players lose the ball to the right from time
to time, but not to the point where they can’t enjoy the game due to
the sheer frustration of continually slicing the ball off the course.
In addition to causing an overall lack of accuracy, hitting shots with
a significant amount of left-to-right spin also robs distance, an
effect that no golfer enjoys.
If you’re a player who currently struggles with this common problem,
it’s time to put an end to it for good. To accomplish this seemingly
difficult task, begin by asking yourself these questions: What type of
slice do I hit? Is my swing path faulty, or is it my clubface angle at
address, or both? Is my swing rotary- or lever-driven? Does my grip,
address position, position at the top and transition match my swing
type? All of these questions are addressed in my four-step process to
beating the slice, and if you follow them in order, you’ll be well on
your way to ridding yourself of the banana ball forever. Plus, you’ll
understand what elements cause your particular slice and how to repair
your swing when things start to go bad.
Step 1: Determine Your Divot
Open Clubface With Incorrect Path Slice
This creates divots that move extremely left of the target line and shots that slice out of control. The correct fix is to develop a swing path that’s less out-to-in and to learn to square the clubface at impact. The incorrect fix is to try to swing even more left or to hit with a closed clubface. This type of slice is the ugliest of them all, and fixing it is definitely a challenge. However, developing a swing path that’s less severe will make squaring the clubface easier.
Incorrect Swing Path Slice
This creates divots that move somewhat left of the target and shots that start to the left and then curve back across the target line. The correct fix is to improve the swing path by moving it more down the line and less over the top. The incorrect fix is to experiment with different clubface positions in an attempt to compensate for the faulty path. The sad truth about this type of slice is that it’s the result of a faulty swing path that travels from outside to in and across the ball. Fixing this problem will take some time and effort.
Open Clubface Slice
This type of slice creates relatively straight divots and shots that start along the target line and drift to the right. The correct fix is to square the clubface at impact. The incorrect fix is to swing farther left in an attempt to keep the ball on line. The good news about this type of slice is that it’s simply the result of a faulty clubface position, which can be relatively easy to fix. If this is your type of slice, you can take solace in the fact that your swing path is relatively sound, as illustrated by the direction of the divot, which is actually a bit to the right.
To beat your slice, you first need to determine if it’s your downswing path or your clubface angle at impact that’s faulty, or both. This can be determined by analyzing your divots and ballflight characteristics. To begin, find a grass practice range and lay a club or piece of colored string along your target line. Once you’re fully warmed up, place a ball on the inside of the club or piece of string and execute a normal, full shot. If you don’t make solid contact the first time, simply move down the shaft or string and hit another ball from that spot. The key is to hit a shot that represents your “normal” ballflight and to create a clearly recognizable divot in the process. Continue to hit several shots until you feel you’ve made at least a couple of clear divots that have resulted from what you’d consider your typical shots.
Once you’ve done this, take a look at the shape and direction of your divots and consider your normal shot shape. If your divot runs fairly parallel to the target line, and your shots tend to start toward the target and then drift to the right, you most likely have a correct swing path but an open clubface at impact. This is the easiest slice to fix because all it requires is a correction of the clubface position as it passes through the hitting zone.
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