If you’re a right-handed golfer, watching your ball constantly veer off to the right can be incredibly frustrating. That dreaded slice tends to show up just when it feels like you’ve hit a great shot—something many amateur golfers struggle with. The good news? While it might take some time and practice, fixing a slice is definitely possible with the right guidance. In this guide, we’ll break down what a slice really is and share practical tips to help you straighten out your shots.
What Is Golf Slice Meaning in the Sport?
While many new golfers have done it and seen it happen, the question still arises: What is a slice in golf? Simply put, a slice occurs when the golf ball curves away from your leading arm. For most right- handed players in the sport, the ball curves to the right, ‘slicing’ through the air, far away from the intended target.
Needless to say, there is a lot of off-distance with the golf ball, which usually ends up too far to the right of the target.
The curve of your golf shot is more likely to increase when you use a longer club. On the other hand, it may decrease with more loft.
Sometimes, a small change can enhance your game, and other times, you simply need the right gear to see your game improve. You can fix your golf slice by making a few changes that take time to present results, but can fix your game forever.
Leading Reasons of Slice Shot in Golf —and How to Avoid Them:
Now that you know what is a slice in golf, let’s work on improving your game. As a right-handed golfer who is seeing their ball slicing to the right again and again, you may think about swinging the other way. However, this method usually makes it worse, leading to more problems with your swing and ruining the game in other ways.
The wrong ways to fix a slice may, in fact, hurt your game by adding extra strokes. Plus, trying to swing the opposite way to fix the extreme curve will often result in drastic scores on each hole.
Instead of changing the direction of the swing, start by correcting the stance you take when golfing. A lot of slicers struggle with their movement and tend to start their downswing incorrectly. If you don’t initiate the swing with your lower body, the only way to avoid hitting the ground before the ball is to swing over the top.
Below, we will cover the common reasons for a slice and the small but impactful shifts in position and movement that prevent this.
Reason #1: The Clubface is Closed
You know what is a slice in golf, and you know that it occurs because of the wrong swing.
An open club face usually occurs due to a poor grip. After all, how you hold your club makes a world of difference to the ball’s impact on the angle of the clubface. To correct the clubface and prevent slicing, try to close it sooner in your swing, mostly during the initial takeaway. Take a look at these simple tips to ‘close’ the clubface.
- Bend the wrist slightly (not too much) to reduce wrist extension during the backswing.
- Move as if your wrist is slightly bent, with the back of your hand facing up.
- Make sure that there is a slight downward angle to the clubface during the takeaway.
An open clubface is tilted more than 90 degrees away from the ball. When your club face is open, it can lead to contact that feels off, like a side swipe.
Reason #2: Arms and Thumbs Not Stabilizing the Club
Do your underarms drift away from your body during your backswing or downswing? This can lead to an open clubface very easily and without intention.
Also, the way you hold the grip with your thumb affects the angle of the clubface and the direction of the swing. This will determine if the ball travels straight or curves to the side. Many novice golfers make the mistake of thinking that a weak grip occurs when they hold their thumbs directly down the grip. The reality is the opposite.
Once you understand what is a slice in golf and what causes it, you may come to the conclusion that opening your arms is not helpful. It is crucial to realize that the golf swing is circular. By letting this natural curve occur, you increase the chances of having a square club face.
To maintain a stable square club face during your golf swing, it’s important to keep your underarms close to your body. Your lead hand’s thumb should be positioned as it naturally hangs, which usually means it will be slightly off center and opposite the hand. This thumb, hand, and arm stance offers relaxed support and better control.
Reason #3: Keeping Your Dominant Arm Tense
While the width can enhance power in a golf swing, it does not mean keeping your lead arm stiff. In other words, the lead arm will cause the club face to stay open if it remains too rigid for too long. The result: golf ball slicing, which will keep happening till you reduce tension.
Experts suggest that you practice your swings with your hands at a wider distance to let your arm relax. It is vital to let your lead elbow relax and fold to achieve a smooth forward swing. A great exercise to help with this is to practice your swings with your hands split further apart.
Also, keep your triceps pressed against your chest during the swing. This will help you engage the larger muscles in your body, which will increase your power. This way of playing golf helps your lead arm to naturally relax and fold during the swing.
Reason #4: Incorrect Ball Position
Do you normally hit your clubs pretty straight but still find yourself slicing the ball more than you’d like? One of the first things to double-check is your ball position. It plays a big role in how your club travels, the angle of the clubface at impact, and where the lowest point of your swing lands.
It is important to note that players that slice the ball usually have their ball too far forward. The main explanation is that the posture makes the swing more difficult. Place your ball near the front heel in case of drivers, and closer to the center for short pitching wedges. When you switch from the driver to short irons, move the ball back in your stance.
It is important to remember that in golf, a ball that is too far back will result in a slicing shot. As you drive the ball farther ahead, keep in mind to allow your shoulders to lean back and away from the target. Your front shoulder should rise while your back shoulder drops to help align your shoulder line with your torso lines. You can make a difference in your swing path for the better at impact.
Reason #5: Problem with Overall Posture
Fixing your posture is a crucial part of learning what is a slice in golf and how to keep it from occurring. An overly upright stance can lead to a slicing path during your downswing. Your weight tends to shift back onto your heels, which often results in a backswing that is too high.
Here are a couple of ways to maintain your posture for a straight golf swing.
- Position an alignment stick beside your trail hip. Practice slow backswings without hitting the stick. Once you can do this, it becomes easier to maintain your posture and prevent standing up during the backswing.
- A smooth connection between your torso and your arms is crucial at this point. You eye should be on the ball, visible between your arms when you swing the club back. This will help you lifting in a vertical way that typically worsens your posture.
It can be difficult to notice when your posture is lost during the backswing. You may not realize it until you bring down the club—and need to adjust!
Although every golfer has a unique posture, bending slightly at the hips can help your arms relax and hang naturally. Adhering to this stance can promote better balance and swing.
Reason #6: Lack of Enough Flexibility
Some of us are more flexible than others. There are golfers around you with amazing flexibility that results in impressively long backswings.
Thus, it can be tricky for you to rotate your body ideally for a straighter swing if you are not very flexible. Moreover, the chances of a slice shot in golf are higher. The rotation of your body when you swing the club back allows you to get a better angle, and, therefore, the proper downswing path to keep the slice from occurring. about website
Improve your flexibility starting today, and you will be able to enhance one, but crucial, aspect of your game. While flexibility comes from constant practice and exercise, practicing golf will also help you bend further in a certain way to improve your swing with precision.
Tip: When you swing, take your back foot and keep it in a closed position, like turning your lower body away from the target. Your flexibility will improve instantly in that moment. Plus, you will be able to get the club into a more powerful position in your backswing. This turn also helps improve the downswing path and avoid a negative curve in the distance the ball covers.
Reason #7: Not Aligning the Swing
Remember, thinking of your golf swing as a smooth, circular motion can really help you steer clear of a slice. When you get to the top of your backswing, simply letting your arms naturally fall along your shoulder line sets you up for a solid downswing path.
Need a clearer understanding of the swing alignment to keep yourself from slicing? Here is a step- by-step breakdown on keeping your swing in check for the lesser curve.
- Have an alignment rod by your side to set up correctly and align your upper body to keep
your shoulders from staying open (and slicing the ball). - Aim for a 90-degree turn during the backswing with the support of your alignment rod. You will be able to contribute more force to your swing for a better downward path.
- As a beginner, use a connection belt to space your elbows well at the top of your swing. It prevents your arms from moving too much and stops your right elbow from drifting away.
The combination of an alignment rod and connection belt will help you swing with better rotation and release the club with power and accuracy, reducing the chance of an open clubface that leads to slicing.
Bottom Line: Steering Clear of the Slice with Consistent Habits:
Making changes to learn the reasons for what is a slice in golf and preventing it may feel odd initially. However, pushing through this discomfort will help you achieve more distance and power in your shots. By focusing on the actions that create a slice, you can improve all your shots. Slicing won’t stop immediately, but you’ll see results with a consistent approach.
Eventually, you’ll strike the ball more consistently and have better control over its direction, and enjoy the game with a newfound thrill!