Let’s admit it, slices are every golfer’s nightmare! They’re one of the most annoying shots in golf and something nearly every golfer has had to deal with. However, it’s especially prevalent with beginner golfers who struggle with the right fundamentals to hit with solid contact.
Some golfers struggle with this shot for a long time, which can lead to a lot of anxiety on the tee box. But today, our goal is to help you stop slicing and get the clubface square at impact with five easy fixes to help figure out how to swing a golf club correctly from the start.
Once you fix your slice or even learn to hit a draw, your scores will drop and you’ll have excitement (not dread) on every tee shot.
How to Swing a Golf Club Correctly with No Slicing
A slice happens for one reason–the club is open at impact. Addressing why the face is open is how you can fix the issue quickly. To learn more about why a slice happens and some other fixes, read our full guide here.
Now, let’s get into four simple tips (with a bonus) to help you hit your driver straighter than ever.
1. Setup Correctly
Start by assessing your setup position before making any swing changes. Here are the checkpoints to set up for success.
- Neutral to strong grip. A weak grip is one of the biggest causes for a slice.
- Ball position. Place the ball off your lead heel to encourage an upward angle of attack.
- Wider than shoulder width stance. Build a solid base so you can rotate and transfer your weight properly.
- Shoulder angles. Make sure your shoulders are square to the target, with your front shoulder slightly higher than your back shoulder (to help hit up on the golf ball).
2. Practice with Purpose
Chances are, you want to fix your slice but have no idea what to do in your practice routines. The most important part of practicing your golf swing is to practice with intention. What are your actual issues and weaknesses? Focus on those, instead of just swinging to hit the ball over and over.
Check out our guide on the mental game too, which can help you visualize how to fix a slice.
3. Improve Your Weight Transfer
Another reason you might be suffering from a long-term slice is a poor weight transfer. If you leave too much of your weight on your trail foot, it’s easy to spin out of the shot and leave the face open at impact.
An incorrect weight transfer leads to a lot of slices with drivers and fairway woods, while it produces thin shots with irons. Focus on moving your weight to your lead leg earlier in your swing to rotate properly and create more lag for an in to out swing path. This will also make it easier to release the club properly for a more neutral face at impact.
4. Rotate Your Upper Body on the Backswing
Proper body rotation in the mental game is pivotal to building a consistent golf swing and generating more power. It also helps square the face at impact and promote a consistent swing path.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Focus on getting your lead shoulder under your chin on the backswing.
- Don’t sway – stay centered, so your upper body can rotate around your lower body. For reference, your upper body should rotate 90 or more degrees, while your hips only turn about 45 degrees.
Lastly, make sure to add in some golf stretches to your daily routine. This can help improve your flexibility and turn for more power off the tee.
Bonus Tip: Try a Different Driver
Finally, if the first four tips didn’t help cure your golf slice, don’t forget to try out swinging a new driver. Golf club technology is always advancing, and the right equipment can make a big difference in your consistency.
If you have an adjustable driver, start by moving any adjustable weights to the draw bias setting. This will make it, so the toe is lighter and easier to square the face at impact.
If you’re still hitting a big slice, it might be time to try a new driver. You might want to consider a draw bias driver, which has tons of technology features all working toward one common goal of hitting the ball straighter.
A great example of this is the SF1 from Performance Golf.
Every facet of the club is designed to help you gain control of the clubface and improve your path…fast. The anti-slice curvature, aero square crown, and counter-slice weights are designed to dynamically square the face and produce draw spin.
Paired with the visual feedback takeaway tracks and counterbalanced SF1 shaft, you’ll generate more lag, speed, and square the face for straighter drives. Plus, it’s available in four shaft flexes for men and women.
Fix Your Slice, Fix Your Game
Fixing a slice takes patience and the right mindset more than anything else. If you’re like most golfers, chances are you’ve had this issue for years (if not decades) and come to accept it as part of your game.
However, if you’re serious about lowering your handicap, you need to address the issue head on. If you want to fix your slice in five minutes and fix your open clubfact FAST, check out legendary golf coach Hank Haney’s One Shot Slice Fix.
With a combination of these Performance Golf training aids and implementing the tips above into your practice routine, you’ll be well on your way to improving your ball flight for longer, straighter drives.
