Free Golf Training Tips

The slice is probably one of the most common swing golf flaws for amateurs. The problem generally comes from an incorrect swing path. It’s an “outside-to-inside” swing path that creates side spin on the golf ball. Instead of hitting the club face squarely, the club face almost “slapping” at the ball.

It’s easier to see it visually, than to read it — but think of it in terms like this. Have you ever tried to spin a basketball on your finger? You know how you spin it sideways with one hand? At the same thing that’s happening with a slice. The club face is coming across the ball and creating side spin.

It’s this side spin the causes the ball to curve off to the side. Sometimes it seems like the harder you try to keep from slicing, the worse your slice becomes. I’ve lost many balls in the course of my career due to slicing problems.

There are two key components that I found to cure slices.

The first and most important has to do with swing path. Usually swing path problems have to do with too much right arm power (left arm for left handers). A good golf swing is not only by pushing with the right arm, but also by pulling with the left arm. Many of us ex-baseball players throw in too much right arm.

To work out a slice you’ll need to hit the local driving range and get a bucket of balls.

While you’re hitting your balls, pay attention to the swing path your clubhead makes when it strikes the ball. You’ll probably notice if you look hard enough, that you’re coming across the ball from an “outside-to-inside” path. If you don’t see it right away, you might be correcting for it. Hit some more golf balls. Let your slice come to you in full effect. You will only be able to fix it once you start seeing it happen.

So are you slicing right now? If so… Good. We’re ready to fix it.

Since a slice comes from an “outside to inside” path, we need to create an “inside-to-outside” path. On a side note, too much inside to outside wheel create a hook (the opposite of a slice), but we probably don’t have to worry about that for now. Your body is going to want to continue to slice, so it’s not likely your going to go too far in your correction.

So how do we create the inside to outside path?

Usually, all you have to do is to keep your right elbow closer to your body during your swing. Think “inside-to-outside”. Exaggerate it. Retrain your body on this new swing path.

The second key component has to do with your wrist snapping speed.

Once you’ve got your swing path under control, sometimes it also helps to think “quick-wrists” as you swing. When I say “quick wrists” I’m referring to the point of connection between your club face and the ball. On your back swing your club face is open, and as you come through the ball your club face closes. At the point of contact your wrists are in the process of turning over. Combine this new inside to outside path with the idea of snapping your wrists over quicker.

Keep practicing this. You’ll find if you do this correctly, you will actually be able to “draw” the ball. Drawing the ball is where the ball curves slightly to the left of center. This can be a good thing if you can control it, because it gives the ball “overspin”. This overspin can get you another 10 to 15 yards or more on a drive.