by Jimmy Patrick

Created on: February 11, 2010   Last Updated: March 10, 2010

The first step to fixing your slice is figuring out which kind of slice you have to fix.  To do so, run this little experiment:

Go to the driving range and pull out your five iron. Warm up until you feel loose and are making consistent contact with the ball, then pick out a specific target. Take dead aim and try to hit several straight shots at that target. If your ball is initially in line with the target and then slicing away to the right, you have an open club face. If your ball is initially flying left of your target and then slicing back across the target line, you have an outside-to-in swing path.

The easiest one to fix is the open club face. You don't have to change your swing at all. All you have to do is square up the club face. First, check the club face at address and see if you are setting up with an open club face. Sometimes this is difficult for you to see, so enlist a friend's help and have them tell you if it looks open at address.

If your club face is square at address and you are still slicing, then you must be opening the club face during the swing. First try moving the ball forward in your stance to give your hands more time to close the club face prior to impact. Second, try actually rolling your right hand over your left through impact to release the club fully and help square it up.

If you have an outside-to-in swing path, you can try the following drill:  take two towels and stuff them under each armpit, then try and swing the golf club without letting the towels drop to the ground. This will force you to keep your arms close to your body and promote the proper inside-to-out swing path. 

Fixing a slice really is that simple in concept, but it will take some patience on the practice tee to let these drills sink in and take effect. You will know your slice is cured forever when you can start hooking the ball consistently from right to left. 

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