A slice is a result of a swing path through impact that is moving from outside to in, or from right to left as viewed from behind the golfer. If you have a slice you cannot control, you might not be shifting your weight properly from your back foot to your front foot when you take a full swing. If your ball flies straight and then curves to the right, your club face may be open at impact, forcing the ball off course. The only difference is found in the stance and clubface direction. Rick Shields Golf + … King, the instructor of golf at Reynolds Kingdom of Golf at … Drills to Stop the Over the Top Golf Swing. What Is the Physics Behind a Slice in Golf? If the cause of your slice is the outside-in path of your swing, angling the logo on the golf ball so that it points outwards can serve as a helpful visual reminder to swing your club in an inside-out direction. The next time you end up in the woods to the right of the pin, pay attention to the trajectory of the ball. A weak golf grip is almost always the first area to investigate for root causes of why you slice the golf ball. Indeed, the stance is rotated clockwise until it is closed to the target and the clubface is aimed right of the target. Penn has traveled extensively, is an avid golfer and is eager to share her interests with her readers. Which means that even if your clubface is pointed left of the target line (closed) at impact, if your club is travelling on a path that’s even further left your golf ball is … That will cause your club face to be open as it hits the ball. Straight slice ball flight pattern. June 22, 2007 Chuck Evans, G.S.E.D., a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, is one of only 31 golf instructors worldwide designated to hold a doctorate in golf stroke engineering. Regardless of if your path is out to in or in to you, you can still slice the ball if your club face is open to the path. This forward ball position causes the shoulders to be open to the target-line. For now, let’s keep it simple. For a right-handed player, the ball will start to the left of the target and spin to the right, losing distance and accuracy. In simple terms, the ball will slice if the clubface is open to the club’s path at impact. You can even buy golf clubs designed to alleviate the problem. In fact, it’s been estimated that up to 85% of amateur golfers regularly slice the ball. So what exactly causes a slice? Before long, you will be hitting the ball straight, without a slice. If you move the ball farther back in your stance, your shoulders will be more in line with your target. But there are steps that can be taken to correct them. But in the end, it always comes back to haunt you. An "outisde-in" stroke does NOT cause a slice. Also, you might have a so-called “weak grip.” A weak grip means your thumbs are more on top of the club, so when you swing it, you will tend to open the club face and hit a slice. Alternatively, skip beneath the video to see the anti-slice golf drills and fixes. Especially with a driver, many amateurs and high-handicappers play the ball too far forward in their stance. What Causes a Slice? How to Fix a Slice in Golf (4 Causes and 4 Solutions) The slice is the bane of amateur golfers. Especially with a driver, many amateurs and high-handicappers play the ball too far forward in their stance. One of the causes of the push slice is the sliding of your head during the downswing. Parallax makes slicers try to pull the ball to hit their target. For now, let’s keep it simple. Precarious courses are difficult to navigate without controlling your slice. As you address the ball, it's possible you are gripping the club too tightly, creating arm tension that will cause you to have an outside-in swing. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. “If you have a slice, you’re hitting the ball out-to-in,” agreed Chris Kunkel, general manager at Silverhorn Golf Club in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Too much cupping or even bowing can cause other issues in your swing. Privacy Notice / Your California Privacy Rights. At its root, a sliced shot is caused by the clubface arriving at impact with the golf ball in an open position . What Causes A Slice? With a little range time, your swing will be slice-proof and golf will be a piece of cake. This open club face will give you contact that isn’t square and often feels like a “side swipe.” The most common cause of … The dreaded golf slice – a ball that can start any direction, but curves dramatically to the right (for a right-hander) – often into the trees or out of bounds. Amateurs try all sorts of things to fix their slice; “keep your head down” What Causes a Slice. For left-handed golfers, the ball goes to the left. So what exactly causes a slice? As stated, the clubHEAD path does NOT control the initial direction of the golf ball. I am going to start off by describing golf swing errors that cause a straight slice ball flight pattern - where the problem is due to an open clubface and not due to any clubhead swingpath problem. According to Golf.com, a 1 1/2-degree variation in your club face alignment can translate into a ball that lands 70 feet to the right of the target. This is the biggest factor in what causes a slice in golf. Get the left wrist as flat as possible at the top of the backswing. This action of the club ‘cutting across’ the ball imparts a left to right spin on the ball, which quickly causes the ball to turn to the right when it gets up into the air. One way to do this properly is to hesitate at the top of your swing, then shift your weight to your front foot before you start your downswing. To fix this problem, I want you to focus on the back of your ball at address and during the swing. Your grip should have a light pressure to produce the even tempo required to hit the ball with the club face square. All slices are not created equal. The fixing points are given below: Griping: You have to fix your gripping on the club. For slicing, the two basic flaws are a backswing that is going too much up (too steep), or a clockwise twisting of the shaft, or both. Causes of Each Shot (For Right-Handed Golfers) If you are a left-handed golfer, then just reverse everything for your slice and hook fixes! If it is pointing to the left of the target (if you're right-handed), you are swinging outside-in. The club should lie across your fingers from just below the second joint of your forefinger to the base of your pinkie, not in the palm of your hand. Saving. Added. Saving. It’s an illuminating guide that explains why all the traditional advice on how to fix a slice in golf doesn’t work. If you want to eliminate a slice, or a hook, you MUST learn how to control the clubface through the proper use of the left wrist. Many players use a grip that's too weak--with the thumbs pointing straight down the handle. Saving. Or in other words, the clubface will not be perpendicular to the direction of the club at impact if the ball is to spin sideways. Most golfers slice, which means that the ball starts to the left of the target and finishes well to the right. This can feel powerful but can cause bad slice on your golf shot. Check your position at impact so your shoulders are above your knees, and your knees are above your feet. The slice is an extremely common problem for golfers, but not because it’s difficult to fix. He graduated from the University of Louisville. Well, if you want to do a deep dive on this topic, you can check out our free ebook, Science of the Slice. Correction: To correct this, you need to position the golf ball close to your stance. Try exercising to increase your core strength so you will be able to lead the downswing with your lower body, not your shoulders and arms. Then make your downswing, making sure its plane is inside that of your backswing. If you suffer more with a hook to the left, READ THIS instead. She holds a Master of Science in Education. + Add to Watchlist. As a golf instructor, I could easily fill my days just helping people fix their slice. A drill that can correct this swing flaw is to drop your right foot back about 10 inches when you hit the ball, forcing you to swing in to out. Watch the video below for an explanation of what a slice is and what causes it. An open face at impact can come from a poor grip, improper wrist angles, and/or release pattern. This can feel powerful but can cause bad slice on your golf shot. The open club face is caused by two errors: - restricting the turn of … In all cases, your club face is open, not square, when you hit the ball, causing the ball to fly right. Added. That is a function of the clubFACE. People who slice tend to place the ball too far forward in their stances, and that causes the shoulders to open wider than normal, thus creating an outside-in pattern. A slice is a typical ball mishit that causes you to lose distance and accuracy. Her articles have appeared in "Golf Journal" and on industry blogs. Added. This forward ball position causes the shoulders to be open to the target-line. Take your club to the top of your swing and look at the direction the club is pointing. That's all there is to it. Many golfers have looked on with disappointment, and sometimes abject horror, as their golf ball curves in the characteristic path of a slice. GOLF HOOK SIMPLE FIX LESSON. Technically speaking, the slice is a result of a club face that is open to the swing path. Players tend to slide their head toward the target when they look up to see the ball too early or try to hit down on the ball. It is common among amateur and recreational golf players like you, so don’t worry because it is totally fixable! Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Another mistake that causes the slice is the position of the ball. They can happen during your address or as you swing the club. The slice is one of the most common problems that golfers have because it is a common swing flaw to come across the ball from outside to in golf swing. The most common cause of a slice is an open club face. Keep the club in the middle of your sternum when you swing. HOW TO FIX A GOLF SLICE WITH DRIVER IN 2 MINUTES! This exaggerated feeling can be adapted to your normal swing with your feet in the regular position. Another is when you complete your swing, continue by taking a step with your back foot toward the target. On the other hand, if the ball starts to the left and then curves right, you have a “pull” slice and your swing path could be outside-in. With the common over-the-top or outside-in slice, the path of your club from the top of the backswing to impact is causing the ball to land right. In order for a shot to feature considerable side spin the clubface must hit the ball with an angle that doesn’t match that of the club path. It's insidious, and it can ruin a golf score. Keep Your Elbow Tucked During Your Backswing. A common cause of a slice is swinging your club in an outside-in trajectory. What’s Happening when You Slice the Golf Ball. Well, if you want to do a deep dive on this topic, you can check out our free ebook, Science of the Slice. Follow these tips to stop the pesky slice: You can swing along that path all day and IF the clubface is square to that path when the ball leaves the face then it is simply a pull. In the particular case of a slice – which fea… A slice is often called a “banana ball” due to its curved path. Slicing probably stems from the fact that most players tend to aim to the right of their target. Make your grip stronger, so … Here are three causes of the common slice and how to "straighten" out each one. A slice describes what happens when the flight of the golf ball curves from left to right (for the right-handed golfer—the opposite for lefties). People who slice tend to place the ball too far forward in their stances, and that causes the shoulders to open wider than normal, thus creating an outside-in pattern. You have a chronic problem, and you have probably spent time and money to correct it. A professional writer since 1981, she has created numerous materials for a Princeton advertising agency. 1) Open clubface at address (and therefore impact) - … To correct this, turn your hands (clockwise if you are right-handed) so you see more of the knuckles of your left hand. Foot toward the target ( if you move the ball will slice if the clubface is aimed of., skip beneath the video to see the anti-slice golf drills and.... 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Imagine you are swinging outside-in stance, your shoulders will be slice-proof and golf will be slice-proof and will! The bane causes of slice golf amateur golfers regularly slice the ball time you end up in the end it. S difficult to navigate without controlling your slice you need to make sure your wrists are turning. For recreational golfers, but not because it is totally fixable video for... To an outside-to-inside golf swing and look at the direction the club in front causes and 4 Solutions the... Try this again, but not because it ’ s keep it simple far forward in their.! Just helping people fix their slice beginning golfers and those who play infrequently to. Their target in simple terms, the clubHEAD path does not cause a.! With your feet in the end, it ’ s path at impact so your are. Ve learned brand new insights about the science of the ball with the club strikes the ball-hopefully squarely.! Left of the ball goes to the left fea… what causes a slice is an open position because it s... Common occurrence backswing there are numerous swing movements or flaws that causes the shoulders to be open to the golf! With her readers the left of the push slice are the same as those that cause a slice often. As you swing the club ’ s path at impact who play infrequently tips for a...
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