Generally it could possibly 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 boldness on this planet, solely to slice your drive manner off beam. And slicing your driver doesn’t simply break your accuracy, it robs you of useful yardage, too.
Sadly, the dreaded slice is without doubt one of the most typical issues for golfers. A slice happens when the ball curves dramatically to the appropriate (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 track and infrequently touchdown within the tough or worse, out of bounds.
To discover ways to cease slicing your driver, you will need to first study 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 appropriate of your goal for the time being of contact. Mix this with a swing path that cuts throughout the ball from exterior the goal line to inside, and also you’ve bought the right recipe for a slice.
Different components like a weak grip, poor stance, and inadequate hip rotation may contribute to slicing. However the excellent news is that with a number of easy changes and a few focused drills, you may remodel that slice into a strong, straight drive.
Right here’s how one can cease slicing your driver.
Tips on how to Cease Slicing Your Driver
1. Examine Your Grip
Your grip is without doubt one of the most important components in controlling the course 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 appropriate so you may 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 follow swings with an exaggerated sturdy grip (the place your palms are turned much more to the appropriate) to get a really feel for closing the clubface. As you swing, pay shut consideration to how your palms and wrists rotate naturally via affect, serving to the clubface sq. up. After a number of swings, return to a extra impartial grip whereas sustaining that very same sensation of closing the clubface via the ball. The primary few swings would possibly really feel awkward, however with follow, you’ll change into extra snug and begin to develop the muscle reminiscence wanted to naturally sq. the clubface at affect.
2. Modify Your Stance
An improper stance may contribute to slicing. In case you’re aligned too far to the left (for right-handers), it will increase the chance of an outside-in swing path, which is a typical explanation for slices.
What to do:
- Make certain your toes, hips, and shoulders are all aligned parallel to your goal line.
- Your ball place needs to be simply inside your left heel, not too far ahead or again in your stance.
In an effort to appropriate your stance, you may place a membership or alignment stick on the bottom alongside your goal line and one other one parallel to it consistent with your toes. This visible assist will assist guarantee your stance is sq. to the goal. You can even take follow 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 exterior the goal line, chopping 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 track.
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 if you happen to’re swinging the membership towards the appropriate of your goal (for right-handers).
The “Gate Drill” is great for correcting your swing path. Place two tees within the floor simply exterior the toe and heel of your driver, making a “gate.” Observe swinging via this gate with out touching the tees, which can prepare you to convey the membership from the within.
4. Sq. the Clubface at Affect
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 strategy affect, concentrate on 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 impact bag is a superb coaching assist for bettering clubface management. Whereas its main 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 important along with your driver. In case you battle with early extension, training with an affect bag will help you keep wrist hinge and ship extra highly effective, crisp strikes along with your irons.
5. Enhance 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 clean and pure, not compelled.
Observe 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 calmly touches the article as you rotate, making certain you’re not swaying.
Studying how one can cease slicing your driver is all about making small changes and training persistently. By focusing in your grip, stance, swing path, clubface, and hip flip, you may dramatically cut back and even get rid of your slice. Keep in mind, the hot button is to follow these steps and drills repeatedly. Over time, you’ll see your drives change into straighter, longer, and far more correct.
