No Matter How You Slice It…
Written by Dave Kiggins
We’ve all been there. You line up perfectly with your target line and eyes on the prize, yet as soon as your driver contacts the ball you know. Following the white speck as is veers off to the side you let out a sigh and maybe utter a fowl word or two. But hey, you’re not alone!
A slice occurs when the clubface opens at impact and creates horizontal spin on the ball - curving it away from your target whilst in flight. As it turns out, slicing is the most common way to miss with your driver and amateurs across the world struggle to correct it. Which, much to everyone’s frustration leads to a lot of extra strokes or lost balls throughout a game. Luckily, our team has put together a few simple tips to help you produce a straighter ball flight. We’re going to break these down into three focus areas. So, let’s dive in…
The Grip
Adjusting your grip is one of the easiest ways to create straighter ball flight. In fact, many golfers who tend to slice often have a weak or soft grip. Having a weak grip shifts the weight of the club from the golfer’s fingers and into their palm. When this occurs, the “V” made between the golfer’s thumb and hand points towards the golfer’s front shoulder rather than their back shoulder which causes the face of the driver to open throughout the golfer’s swing.
To create a stronger grip, ensure that the first three knuckles of your top hand are visible. If done correctly, the grip should feel like revving a motorcycle. Repositioning as such helps your hands turn over through impact and squares the clubface.
Stance, Posture & Alignment
Another common mistake is having open shoulders, hips, or feet. Any one of these alone will almost always produce a slice which is why it’s so crucial to make sure that they are all in good alignment to your target. Using tools such as alignment sticks are a great way for a golfer to fully understand whether they are lined up and where their target line is. Being square at address creates a better swing path and helps to promote a square clubface at impact.
Swing Path and Clubface at Impact
Now, we could get into the nitty gritty about the swing path and angle of attack but what it really comes down to is being able to control where the clubface is in relation to your target line at impact. When a golfer slices, their swing path often travels from outside to inside almost like the club is being pulled across their body.
Imagine having a wall behind you. When you finish your swing, the clubhead should hit the imaginary wall before the handle or your hands do. Practicing with this in mind should help create the feeling of releasing the club through impact and ensure that the clubface is square once again.
By following some of the tips mentioned above you should be able to see a difference in the quality of your drives right away. And as mentioned, slicing is the most common way to miss a drive. So, don’t beat yourself up if you’re having a hard time with it because we promise you’re not alone. If you feel like you’re applying all these tips and still having a hard time, you can visit our website or call (250) 434-5839 to book a lesson with our Head Pro.