The slice is golf's most common miss. Here's what's actually causing it and how to fix it.
The Problem
You step up to the tee, aim down the left side (because you know it's coming), and watch your ball start straight before curving 40 yards right into the trees.
You've tried everything: stronger grip, closing your stance, swinging easier, keeping your head down. Nothing works. Some days you slice less, but it always comes back.
Here's why: you're treating symptoms, not the cause.
A slice happens for one reason only—your clubface is open to your swing path at impact. Everything else is just details.
Why It Matters
The slice costs you 30-50 yards per drive. It makes you aim left, which makes tight fairways even tighter. It kills your confidence before you even swing.
Worse, the "fixes" most golfers try actually make slicing harder to fix. Aiming left makes you swing more left. Swinging easier doesn't change face angle. Keeping your head down restricts your turn.
Understanding the real cause means fixing it permanently, not just managing it for a round or two.
Understanding Ball Flight
Basic physics:
- Ball starts where the face points at impact (85%)
- Ball curves based on face angle relative to path
Slice = face open to path
If you swing 5 degrees left and your face points straight, that's a 5-degree gap. Slice.
Most slicers:
- Path: 5-10 degrees left (out-to-in)
- Face: 10-15 degrees right (open)
- Result: Ball starts right, curves more right
Fix #1: Grip (The Foundation)
Check your current grip:
Look down at address. Can you see 2-3 knuckles on your left hand (right-handed golfers)? If you only see one, your grip is too weak.
The fix:
Rotate your left hand clockwise on the grip until you see 2-3 knuckles. Your right hand's "V" (thumb and forefinger) should point at your right shoulder.
This is called a "stronger" grip. It helps the face close naturally through impact.
Why it works:
A weak grip requires perfect timing to square the face. A stronger grip squares the face passively—you don't have to manipulate anything.
Test:
Hit 10 balls with your old grip. Then 10 with the stronger grip. The difference is immediate.
Fix #2: Path (Stop Swinging Left)
The issue:
Most slicers swing way out-to-in (left) because they're trying to compensate for the open face. This makes the slice worse.
The fix:
Feel like you're swinging to right field (for righties). Exaggerate at first—it will feel like you're hooking the ball 50 yards right. You won't.
Setup change:
Drop your right foot back 2 inches at address. This pre-sets an in-to-out path. Now your swing naturally comes from inside.
Practice drill:
Put a head cover or alignment stick 6 inches outside your ball, toward the target. Make swings without hitting it. This trains inside-out path.
What you'll notice:
Ball starts more right (because path changed). If grip is correct, it will draw back left. That's success.
Fix #3: Face Awareness (Feel the Club)
The problem:
Most slicers have no idea where the face points. They just swing and hope.
The fix:
Practice making the face do what you want.
Drill 1: Open/Closed Practice
Make 5 swings with the face wide open (intentional big slice). Then 5 swings with it shut (intentional hook). Feel the difference in your hands.
Drill 2: Punch Shots
Hit punch shots (ball back, shorter finish). Easier to feel face angle with slower swings. Once you can draw a punch shot, speed it up.
What you're learning:
Face control is in your hands, wrists, and forearms—not your body. Feel how rotating your forearms closes the face.
The Setup for Success
Ball position:
Driver should be opposite your front heel. Too far back encourages open face.
Alignment:
Feet, hips, shoulders parallel to target. Don't aim left to compensate—that makes you swing more left.
Tee height:
Tee it high (half the ball above crown). This encourages upward strike and helps close the face.
Weight distribution:
Slight favor toward back foot (55/45). This promotes inside-out path.
The Equipment Check
Sometimes it's not just your swing:
Shaft too stiff:
If you swing under 95 mph and play stiff flex, the shaft doesn't help square the face. Try regular flex.
Loft too low:
If you're slicing a 9° driver, try 10.5° or 12°. More loft = less sidespin = smaller slice.
Driver settings:
Many modern drivers have adjustable weights. Move weight to heel (draw setting). Some have moveable sleeves—close the face 1-2 degrees.
None of this fixes a bad swing, but the right equipment makes the fix easier.
Common Mistakes
- Trying to "hold the face closed." This creates tension and inconsistent timing. Let grip and path square the face naturally.
- Swinging harder to "hit through" the slice. Speed without square face = bigger slice. Fix face first, then add speed.
- Only practicing on the range. The range has flat lies and perfect conditions. Play 9 holes focusing only on your new grip and path. Real golf is where the fix becomes permanent.
- Expecting instant perfection. You'll hit some blocks right (closed face, in-to-out path). That's progress—it means face control is working. Fine-tune from there.
The Practice Plan
Week 1: Grip Only
Hit every shot with the stronger grip. No other changes. Feel how the ball flight changes.
Week 2: Add Path
Maintain new grip, focus on inside-out path. Use the head cover drill daily.
Week 3: Face Awareness
Add the open/closed practice drill before every session. Learn to feel the face.
Week 4: Test on Course
Play 9 holes using your new swing. Don't revert to old habits when nervous.
The "Emergency" On-Course Fix
You're on the first tee, slicing, no time to work on fundamentals. Do this:
1. Strengthen grip immediately (2-3 knuckles visible)
2. Tee it higher
3. Drop right foot back 2 inches
4. Swing to right field feeling
This won't fix everything, but it will reduce your slice enough to keep balls in play.
Next Steps
Pick one fix to start:
Most slicers should start with grip. It's the fastest, most reliable change.
Film yourself:
Use your phone. Watch your face angle at impact (pause the video). You'll see exactly what's happening.
Get fit eventually:
Once your swing path is better, a proper fitting can dial in shaft/loft/lie to optimize for your new swing.
The slice isn't permanent. It's a pattern you've ingrained through repetition. The fix requires different repetition—but it works. Commit to one month of correct practice and you'll be hitting draws instead of slices.
