What is the slice?

For right-handed golfers, a ball which curves markedly from left to right. The slice has been written about and suffered by golfers for over a hundred years. In 1890, Horace Hutchinson wrote in Badminton Golf: "It is not, of course, very easy to slice the ball just when and how desired." Said Ben Hogan, "You're not a finished golfer until you can control slices and hooks to your advantage."

How can you cure a slice?

To hit the ball straight you need to have the proper swing path with the square face angle. You have to have a blending of movements, both arms and body. What creates most slices is at the very start of the downswing the shoulders will open up too soon relative to the arms and hands. Then the club face can't square up, it's open and the ball slices. A drill that should help: Practice swinging with your back to the target. Set up normally, then take a quarter turn so your back is facing the target. Keep the back to the target as long as possible while swinging your arms only. If done properly, the forearms will rotate which will allow the club face to square to the target. This will create a big inside-out path and give you the feeling you want to stop slicing. After a few of those shots, take normal address, take backswing to the position where your back is to the target, then go for that same feeling on the downswing..

There are whole bunch of reasons golfers slice the ball. Here is another: the action of your shoulders during the swing. Typically this comes in combination with a reverse weight shift (reverse pivot), but not always. Here's the key points to consider:

1) Your left shoulder should never, ever dip down toward the ball on your backswing.

2) You should never, ever tilt your entire upper body toward the target on your backswing.

Why? When you dip, drip, drop or tilt toward the ball on your backswing you are almost certainly going to take the club back on too steep an angle, and you'll also bring it into the ball at too steep an angle. The consequences? Instant slice.

Another Solution:

When you take the club back, think about getting your left shoulder tucked under your chin (as near as possible) and about keeping your left arm touching your chest as you swing back—there shouldn't be any gap between your left arm and your chest.

Remember if you're tilting toward the target, you'll feel some separation between your left bicep and your chest. When you do, expect to slice it.

SOLUTION: Most golfers believe that when they swing the club at the ball, they should try to keep the face square to the target. WRONG !!! Not only does this produce a slice but a loss of distance. Instead,the club needs to continue on a circular motion around the body - not "out" toward the target. Only the ball moves toward the target. If you permit the club to swing around to the left (for a right-hander), you will say good bye to your slice!

Here is an overview of your club head position throughout the swing:
1. When addressing the ball:
*** Keep the club face square to slightly open.
2. Start of the swing:
*** Keep the club head on a straight line back from the target for the first couple feet !
3. When the grip of the club is pointing at the target:
*** The toe of your club face should be pointing STRAIGHT up.
4. When the club shaft is perpendicular to the ground:
*** The toe of your club face should be pointing STRAIGHT at the target.
5. Continue the backswing with this motion.
6. On the down swing:
***Completely reverse the above cycle to bring your club head back square to the ball at impact.
7. For the follow through:
*** Keep this rotation of the club head flowing after impact of the ball to complete the swing.

Note for right handed golfers: think of it as a clockwise rotation of the club head on your back swing. Then bring it back counter-clockwise through the downswing and follow through.

This is the best way to add power and control to your golf swing.
Practice makes perfect.
Good Luck !!!



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