How to Correct a Drive Slice

In golf, a slice is a ball that spins clockwise and trails off to the right after the driver makes contact with it. The ball spins counter clockwise and trails off to the left for left-handed golfers. The main cause of this is that the face of the club is not square to the ball at contact; it is open and pointing to the right or left for left-handers. A few adjustments in the grip, positioning and swing path can help correct this problem.

Things You'll Need

  • Golf ball
  • Permanent marker
  • Tee
  • Driver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make a straight line around the middle of the golf ball with a permanent marker. Place the ball on the tee with the line pointing straight toward the target. This can help you keep your focus on the ball direction just before contact.

    • 2

      Draw an imaginary straight line, starting 3 feet behind the teed ball, through the line on the ball to the target. Place the clubhead behind the ball and lay the shaft down on the ground perpendicular to this line. Draw another line, parallel to the first, a club length away from the ball. Stand with your toes touching this line. Position the front foot at a 45-degree angle with the instep in alignment with the ball. Keep your shoulders and hips parallel with these lines. The front shoulder points directly at the target.

    • 3

      Grip the handle of the driver in such a way that you can see the knuckle of your index and middle finger on your left hand or right hand for left-handed players. Take note of where the "V's" on your hands are pointing. This is the area between the thumb and index finger that resembles the letter "V." The "V's" should point toward the right shoulder or left shoulder for lefties.

    • 4

      Take a wider than normal stance with slightly more weight on the back foot. As you start the back swing take the club away from the ball on as straight a line as possible and for as long as possible. During the down swing keep your right elbow closer to your body. One cause of hitting a slice is an outside-in swing path where the clubhead swipes across the ball from right to left. By keeping your elbow closer to your body, an inside-out swing path is easier to produce. This encourages a square clubface at ball impact and less chance of slicing the ball.

    • 5

      Keep your head down until after you contact the ball. Don't make contact with your hands ahead of the ball. This can cause the clubface to open. Turn your wrists over quickly as you contact the ball in order to square up the clubface. Hit through the ball and follow the imaginary line to the target with the clubhead as long as possible.