A slice is a common ball error that comes from the angle that the club hits the ball. It’s a fiendish issue that many a golfer has taken time to attempt to overcome. The slice comes from issues in the swing: though it can come from a strong wind gust. As such, it is important to understand just how a slice works and how to try and negate it.

Two Main Points

There are two main components to the ending moment of a swing. When the driver comes down to meet the ball, the path and the face will determine how it moves. When first aiming a drive, the usual desire is for it to be straight on. You then position your whole body to indicate to the club that there is a straight direction for it to follow. The path, however, is actually the path of bringing the club down. Whereas the ending line of the ball is what the player will judge their swing by.

The face of the club is the smooth surface of the club. There is usually a circular imprint to indicate the middle of the driver. This is the indication that the center is the best spot for releasing all of the stored speed into the ball. However, the angle of the face at impact can affect the path. No player can bring the club down properly every single time. The plane can come down tilted: making the ball curve. This is why you can be dead center and still have your ball curve. It can be that your natural swing will always curve the ball slightly. It could be that you are expecting a strong wind. Whatever the case for a ball to slice, it is a fixable issue.

Next Step

Essentially, you are going to determine how to correct how the club meets the ball. Step One is to determine what is causing your slice, minus wind interference, path or face. This can be told by the direction of your slice.

To the Right

If your ball is slicing to the right, there can be two different issues. When your ball leaves the tea, does it go in a straight line and then curve slightly to the right? If this is the case, then you need to work on your path. The angle of your swing is the root cause of the issue.

What if your ball leaves the tee, goes right, and stays right? That means you need to work on squaring the face of your club. The face is tilted and causing the ball to move up and over: instead of out and straight.

To the Left

What about when your ball slices to the left? If your ball slices left that means you most likely have an issue with both face and path. One item of note: the left and right in these scenarios are for the direction of the ball in correlation to the green. It does not matter if you are left or right-handed. The direction of the ball is what’s being considered. The ball can slice in these directions, for these reasons, without usually being affected by the players dominance.

Now to Fix

A driver is the most common club to see the issue of slicing due to the ball position. The ball is usually set directly in line with the fairway. The player wants the ball to be completely straight in its trajectory. However, the ball, when driving, is at the furthest forward in your stance. As such, the first point of adjustment is path. You will want to ensure that you’re swinging up and toward the right. This motion created a neutral ball direction. Essentially, you are attempting the ever-illusive method of swinging through the ball. When you swing, even in practice swings, you need to ensure your form and club face are in alignment.

The face, the more common issue for a slice, is a key element. When practicing, open up the club face. The face of the club, often will turn into the ball or come in at an odd angle. This is what makes the ball spin or adjust its flight. The face of the club needs to remain centered and more open all the way through the swing. In practice, many will overcorrect and open up the club face in an exaggerated fashion. This is to see just how far off their face is on a more natural swing. From there, it is about finding a middle ground.

Ending Thoughts

Driving is one of the pinnacle moments of a golf game. Its what can make or break the rest of the whole. Often, professionals talk about ensuring the fundamentals are correct. However, things change from swing to swing. Your club face can be right the first time or not be right until the fiftieth.

This is what makes golf such an interesting game to play. It is also why many club makers will try and adjust their drivers. Some will add weights to the center of the club. Others will create a larger face in an attempt to gain more possibilities for contact. Some still, will adjust the angle of the driver: forcing it into a certain direction. However, it always comes down to how you swing the club. How you manipulate the path and the face are what dictates your success. You can have the best club for slicing, you can ensure that your stance is perfect, but if you do not bring the club down at the right angle and with a properly open face then it is moot point. Essentially, the key to a great drive, without a slice, is practice. You have to learn how you hold the club and learn how to adjust per stroke. It’s not a simple fix. It’s a repetitive adjustment that must be learned overtime.