by Marc Shapiro

Created on: February 10, 2010   Last Updated: March 10, 2010

A persistent slice can frustrate a beginning-to-average golfer. Proper mechanics will significantly improve your game, increasing your enjoyment of this lifetime sport. By controlling three basic swing elements: a balanced stance, an even-pressured grip, and fluid swing mechanics, you can cure your slice. 

A Balanced Stance will help cure your slice. Working from the ground up, your feet should be approximately shoulder-width apart, side to target, front foot slightly angled toward your target, and back foot pointing straight ahead.  Keep your knees athletically flexed, with weight on the balls of your feet, leaning slightly forward from the waist. Let your arms dangle loosely from your shoulders, and position yourself to the ball without overreaching. 

Hit a few practice shots and adjust accordingly to ensure good, clean ball contact.

An Even-Pressured Grip is key to hitting the ball straight.  As a right-hander, grip the golf club with your left hand just short of the club’s butt-end, keeping the left thumb along the shaft’s top.  Wrap the right hand over the left, overlapping your right “little” finger between your left-hand’s index and middle finger and cover the base of your left thumb with your right palm.  This grip may feel awkward, but it will help control your slice by making your hands work together.  Common wisdom says to grip the club as though holding a live bird; tight enough to keep it from flying away, but not so tight as to cause harm.

You may need to “strengthen” your grip by rotating your left hand toward the target at set-up; experiment with this initial placement during practice to fine-tune your grip.

Fluid Swing Mechanics is critical to slice-free golf. Think of your golf backswing as coiling a spring, with an even tempo.  Start with a push from your hands, and fluidly follow with arms, then shoulders/back/hips, all in one smooth, continuous motion.

The downswing involves uncoiling the spring: releasing the hips, then back/shoulders, followed by arms and hands in one continuous motion, swinging down and through the ball.  Always follow through, finishing with your hands high and belly pointed toward the target. 

Good golf depends on solid fundamentals and regular practice.  You can learn to hit it straight and lower your scores.  For more targeted advice, contact your local PGA teaching professional.

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