How to Stop Slicing Your Driver: 5 Simple Steps

Generally it could actually really feel like your golf ball has a thoughts of its personal. And there’s nothing extra irritating than stepping as much as the tee with all the arrogance on this planet, solely to slice your drive method off beam. And slicing your driver doesn’t simply damage your accuracy, it robs you of beneficial yardage, too.

Sadly, the dreaded slice is among the commonest issues for golfers. A slice happens when the ball curves dramatically to the fitting (for right-handed golfers) or to the left (for left-handed golfers). As an alternative of a straight shot, the ball takes on a banana-like curve, veering off target and infrequently touchdown within the tough or worse, out of bounds.

To discover ways to cease slicing your driver, you have to first be taught what causes a slice. The first culprits are an open clubface at affect and an outside-in swing path. When your clubface is open, it factors to the fitting of your goal in the intervening time of contact. Mix this with a swing path that cuts throughout the ball from outdoors the goal line to inside, and also you’ve obtained the proper recipe for a slice.

Different elements like a weak grip, poor stance, and inadequate hip rotation also can contribute to slicing. However the excellent news is that with a couple of easy changes and a few focused drills, you’ll be able to rework that slice into a robust, straight drive.

Right here’s how one can cease slicing your driver.

Cease Slicing Your Driver

1. Verify Your Grip

Your grip is among the most crucial elements in controlling the route of your photographs. A weak grip (the place your palms are rotated too far to the left on the membership for right-handers) could cause the clubface to stay open at affect, resulting in a slice.

What to do:

For right-handed golfers, rotate your left hand barely to the fitting so you’ll be able to see two or three knuckles when wanting down.
Your proper hand ought to sit extra beneath the membership, making a “V” form between your thumb and index finger that factors towards your proper shoulder.

Take observe swings with an exaggerated robust grip (the place your palms are turned much more to the fitting) to get a really feel for closing the clubface. As you swing, pay shut consideration to how your palms and wrists rotate naturally by means of affect, serving to the clubface sq. up. After a couple of swings, return to a extra impartial grip whereas sustaining that very same sensation of closing the clubface by means of the ball. The primary few swings may really feel awkward, however with observe, you’ll change into extra comfy and begin to develop the muscle reminiscence wanted to naturally sq. the clubface at affect.

2. Alter Your Stance

An improper stance also can contribute to slicing. If you happen to’re aligned too far to the left (for right-handers), it will increase the chance of an outside-in swing path, which is a standard reason for slices.

What to do:

Be certain your ft, hips, and shoulders are all aligned parallel to your goal line.
Your ball place must be simply inside your left heel, not too far ahead or again in your stance.

In an effort to right your stance, you’ll be able to place a membership or alignment stick on the bottom alongside your goal line and one other one parallel to it in keeping with your toes. This visible support will assist guarantee your stance is sq. to the goal. You too can take observe swings with a closed stance, the place your proper foot (for right-handers) is positioned barely behind your left. This closed stance naturally encourages a extra inside-out swing path.

3. Concentrate on Your Swing Path

Most slices happen due to an outside-in swing path, the place the clubhead approaches the ball from outdoors the goal line, reducing throughout it. This movement, sometimes called ‘coming excessive,’ not solely opens the clubface at affect but additionally imparts aspect spin on the ball, inflicting it to curve sharply off target. 

What to do:

Work on swinging the membership from the within out, which inspires a draw or straight shot.
In your downswing, attempt to really feel as for those who’re swinging the membership towards the fitting of your goal (for right-handers).

The “Gate Drill” is great for correcting your swing path. Place two tees within the floor simply outdoors the toe and heel of your driver, making a “gate.” Apply swinging by means of this gate with out touching the tees, which can practice you to convey the membership from the within.

4. Sq. the Clubface at Influence

Even with the proper grip and swing path, an open clubface at affect can nonetheless trigger the ball to slice.

What to do:

As you method affect, deal with rotating your forearms and palms to sq. the clubface.
Think about the clubface as a door closing shut – that is the movement you need as you make contact with the ball.

An affect bag is a wonderful coaching support for bettering clubface management. Whereas its major profit helps you sq. the clubface at affect, it additionally presents the added benefit of enhancing your sense of lag – a key issue for cast-iron photographs, although much less vital together with your driver. If you happen to battle with early extension, practising with an affect bag can assist you preserve wrist hinge and ship extra highly effective, crisp strikes together with your irons.

5. Improve Your Hip Flip

An absence of hip rotation can result in over-reliance in your arms and palms, inflicting an outside-in swing path and an open clubface. Correct hip flip promotes a extra inside-out swing path and higher management of the clubface.

What to do:

On the backswing, permit your hips to show naturally, however keep away from over-rotating.
On the downswing, provoke the motion by turning your hips towards the goal. This motion ought to really feel easy and pure, not pressured.

Apply your swing with out a membership, focusing solely in your hip rotation. Place a chair or alignment stick close to your proper hip (for right-handers) and ensure it evenly touches the thing as you rotate, guaranteeing you’re not swaying.

Studying how one can cease slicing your driver is all about making small changes and practising constantly. By focusing in your grip, stance, swing path, clubface, and hip flip, you’ll be able to dramatically scale back and even remove your slice. Keep in mind, the secret’s to observe these steps and drills commonly. Over time, you’ll see your drives change into straighter, longer, and far more correct.