How to Get the Slot in Your Golf Swing

"Swinging in the slot" and "dropping into the slot" in golf are just other ways of saying "swinging on plane." If you are not swinging in the slot, you are bringing the club inside out or outside in during your downswing. These off-plane swings result in severe hooks and slices. Swinging in the slot will help you hit straighter and improve your scoring.

Things You'll Need

  • Golf club
  • Golf ball
  • Driving range
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Beginning your downswing, keep your trailing elbow (right elbow for right-handed golfers) close to your body. If your elbow gets too far away from your body, it will cause an outside-to-inside swing plane.

    • 2

      Concentrate on keeping your wrists hinged so your hands are ahead of the club. This promotes a flatter plane and a whip action promoting more power. Many amateur golfers unhinge their wrists at the beginning of the downswing, putting the club outside of the slot and reducing the whip action.

    • 3

      Throughout the whole of the swing, maintain a straight spine angle. Rotate your body around your spine and limit vertical and horizontal movement of your upper body to help you keep the swing on plane.

    • 4

      Lead your swing with your hips, letting them pull your torso, shoulders and, finally, hands through the swing. Use a wall to practice this by standing with your right shoulder to the wall and your body positioned just far enough from the wall so your hands can reach it when in the backswing. Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height, simulating your backswing position. Begin turning toward your imaginary target, leading with your lower body and allowing your hands to be pulled down the wall. You will feel a stretch in your back when done correctly.

      Keep turning until your hands are at hip level. They should just be touching the wall, at this point, with your fingertips. This is a great example of the feeling you should have in your body as your hands drop into the slot.