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A slice can steal distance, confidence, and fairways fast. It’s also one of the most fixable ball flights in the game once the real cause is understood. This guide breaks down how to fix a slice in golf with clear steps, trusted drills, and smart gear tips.
The goal isn’t a “perfect” swing. It’s a repeatable setup and a swing path that lets the face square up on time, so the ball starts closer to the target and curves less.
What Is A Slice In Golf? (Definition & Impacts)
What is a slice in golf? For a right-handed golfer, it’s a shot that curves hard to the right in the air. For lefties, it’s the same shape in the opposite direction. It often starts left or straight, then peels away.
A slice happens most with the big stick because the driver is longest, lowest lofted, and fastest. Small errors get magnified. That’s why many golfers first notice it when hitting golf drivers off the tee.
The impacts go beyond missing fairways. A slice adds spin that robs carry, makes contact inconsistent, and can force “steering” the swing. Fixing it is less about luck and more about learning path, face, and a clean release.
Read also: How to hit a golf ball
Understanding Why You Slice The Ball (Common Causes)
Most slices are a combo problem: the club is moving left through impact (out-to-in), and the face is open to that path. TrackMan’s ball flight laws show it clearly: face controls start line, and path influences curve.
An out-to-in swing path often comes from pulling the handle, spinning shoulders early, or aiming left. A weak grip can leave the face open, and poor weight shift can trap the body behind the ball, forcing a “wipe” across it.
Ball choice won’t “cause” a slice, but it can change how it looks. Higher-spin models can curve more for some swings. When testing fixes, keep your golf balls consistent so the feedback is reliable.
Common misconception: “Just close the clubface.” That can create pulls and snap hooks. Learning why path matters is the fastest route to fix golf slice issues for good.
We have many, many guides to help you improve your game, so check out also: How to Chip a Golf Ball: Mastering the Craft for Lower Scores
How To Fix A Slice In Golf: Step-By-Step Guide
The fastest way to fix a slice in golf is to build it in order: grip, alignment, path, then release. Changing everything at once usually backfires and ruins feedback.
Use one ball flight goal during practice: start the ball slightly right of target and let it fall back gently. That’s the blueprint for an inside-out path with a squarer face.
These steps also help stop slicing driver shots, because the driver punishes an open face and out-to-in path more than irons do. Stick with the sequence and retest after each change.
Step 1 – Adjust your grip for a straighter shot
A “weak” grip (hands turned too far left for right-handers) tends to leave the face open. A “stronger” grip helps the clubface rotate closed more naturally through impact.
For right-handed golfers: show 2–3 knuckles on the lead hand at address. The trail hand should sit more “under” the handle, not on top. The “V” shapes between thumb and index should point toward the trail shoulder.
Grip pressure matters. Death-gripping can freeze the wrists and delay face rotation. Keep it firm enough to control the club, but soft enough to release it.
For practice comfort and traction, use properly fitted golf gloves. A secure hold helps train a consistent grip without squeezing.
Step 2 – Align your body and check ball position
Many slicers aim left to “allow for the curve.” That often forces an out-to-in cut across the ball. Instead, aim the clubface at the target, then set feet and shoulders slightly right to encourage an inside-out path.
Check shoulder alignment: open shoulders are sliced fuel. A simple test is laying an alignment stick across the toes and another across the shoulders, then comparing the lines.
Ball position matters too. If it’s too far forward, the club reaches the ball late in the arc, often when the face is still open. Move it back one ball and retest. Keep the head steady and avoid swaying off the ball.
Mobility helps setup hold together. Comfortable, flexible golf apparel makes it easier to rotate without pulling out of posture during practice sessions.
Read also: What Is a Neutral Grip in Golf? Complete Guide for Players of All Levels
Step 3 – Train your swing path: Inside-out drills
To fix golf slice problems, train the club to travel from inside the target line to outside it through impact. Teaching pros like Hank Haney often cue “swing to right field” for right-handers to feel the correct direction.
Backwards circle drill: make slow, waist-high swings where the clubhead traces a “backwards” loop behind you, then approaches the ball from the inside. Keep it smooth. The goal is path awareness, not speed.
Motorcycle drill: at the start of the downswing, feel the lead wrist “rev” slightly (like turning a motorcycle throttle) to help the face square earlier. Keep the arms connected to the torso so it doesn’t become a flip.
Right-field gate drill: place a headcover or tee 10–15 cm outside the ball on the target line. Try to miss it on the downswing by swinging more to the right. If the club hits it, the path is still cutting across.
Tools can speed this up. Alignment sticks, impact bags, and plane trainers provide instant feedback. Explore golf training aids to build a repeatable inside-out pattern.
Step 4 – Release and follow through correctly
Many slicers “hold the handle off” after impact to avoid a hook. That delays the clubface closing and keeps the path moving left. A better fix is a full release with a balanced finish.
Feel the forearms rotate naturally through the ball so the clubface can square. The finish should be high and around the body, not chopped low. Think “swing out, then up.”
A helpful cue: after impact, the trail shoulder should keep moving toward the target, and the chest should face more downrange at finish. If the body stalls, the hands wipe across and the slice returns.
If outdated clubs make progress harder, consider upgrading as a package. Modern complete sets can offer more forgiveness and better gapping, especially for newer golfers rebuilding fundamentals.
The Role Of Equipment In Slicing And Fixing It
Equipment won’t cure a bad path, but it can reduce the penalty while changes stick. Driver loft, shaft flex, and head design all influence launch and curvature.
Too little loft can lower launch and increase side spin visibility. A slightly higher-loft driver can keep the ball in the air longer with a more playable curve. Shaft flex also matters: a shaft that’s too stiff may leave the face open at impact for some tempos.
Many modern heads offer draw bias, heel weighting, and adjustable hosels. Those features can help stop slicing driver shots by supporting a squarer face and more centred contact.
A fitting is the fastest way to confirm what’s happening. Compare settings, loft, and strike pattern using a launch monitor. Browse golf drivers that offer adjustability and forgiveness, then match them to the swing being built.
Practice Tips For Long-Term Improvement
Fixing a slice is mostly about reps with feedback. Block practice (same drill) builds the move, then random practice (different targets/clubs) tests it under pressure. Use both.
Video works. Film down-the-line and face-on with a phone. Check two things: is the club approaching from inside, and do shoulders stay square longer in transition? One quick clip can save weeks of guessing.
Short sessions beat marathon range days. Ten minutes of grip and alignment, then 20 balls of one drill, then 10 “play” balls to targets is plenty. Track start line and curve, not just distance.
Training tools can keep progress moving between lessons. Add a path gate, impact trainer, or alignment kit from golf training aids to make practice more objective and repeatable.
FAQs About Slicing In Golf
What is a slice in golf, and is it always bad?
What is a slice in golf is a shot that curves strongly away from the player’s lead side (right for righties). A small fade can be controlled, but a true slice costs distance and accuracy.
Is an open clubface the only cause?
No. Face matters, but path is often the bigger driver of curve. Learning how to fix a slice in golf usually means improving the out-to-in path while helping the face square earlier.
How do you stop slicing drivers specifically?
To stop slicing driver shots, start with tee height and ball position, then train inside-out path. Drivers amplify mistakes, so grip and alignment must be consistent before adding speed.
Will a stronger grip fix a golf slice instantly?
A stronger grip can help fix golf slice patterns quickly, but it’s not a full solution if the path is still cutting across the ball. Grip plus path training is the reliable combo.
Can changing golf balls reduce my slice?
A ball won’t change a slice-causing swing, but it can affect how much the curve shows. Test changes using the same model of golf balls so the feedback stays consistent.
Should you take a lesson or use drills first?
Drills work best when they target the real cause. A lesson or a launch monitor session can confirm path and face. Then the “backwards circle” and “motorcycle” drills become much more effective.
Conclusion: Fix The Pattern, Not The Symptom
A slice is a predictable result of an open face relative to an out-to-in swing path. The fastest way to fix a slice in golf is to lock in grip, clean alignment, train inside-out path, and learn a full release.
Focus on the start line and curve, and use simple drills to build the move. If progress stalls, equipment fitting and forgiving settings can help stop slicing driver shots while mechanics improve.
For next steps, browse Just Golf Stuff’s golf training aids for feedback tools, check out forgiving golf drivers, and stock up on consistent golf balls for better practice data. Keep working the steps, and the slice won’t survive.