To correct your golf slice, we’ve checked your alignment and your grip. The next step is to check your swing path…
Contrary to what many club golfers believe, a slice is not just any ball flight that swerves severely to the right (for the right-handed player)…
A slice is defined as a ball flight that starts out to the left or on target and then spins sharply from left-to-right, ending up right of your intended target.
If your slice shots start right of your target and then curve further right, we call that a push-slice
It might seem pedantic, but a slice and a push-slice are caused by two different swing paths. If you hit lots of slices you need to make one type of change to your golf swing – if you hit lots of pushes or push-slices you need to make a different change to your golf swing.
A slice (ball starts left of target and curves back too far right) is caused by too much of an out-to-in swing path and not enough hand rotation.- A push-slice (ball starts right of target and curves further right) is caused by an in-to-out swing path and not enough hand rotation.
When you hit balls at the practice range, notice where your ‘slice’ shots start. Chances are, they’ll start out to the left of your target or even on line, but then curve severely to the right. This is the case for most slicers of a golf ball. If it’s the case for you, you’ll benefit from a more in-to-out swing path…
To achieve this in-to-out swing path and correct your slice, watch this video.
Swing Path Comparison
Here’s a visual reference to further help you understand an ‘over the top’ swing path:
Swing 1 imagine the blue lines represent a sheet of glass running through Pete’s body. Notice how the club head would stay in contact with or close to that sheet of glass? This is a good swing plane.
Swing 2 in this swing however, notice how the club head would lose contact with the sheet of glass (particularly after picture 2) and would actually smash the glass in the follow through. This swing is too upright known as ‘over the top’. It’s too far in front of Pete’s body.
If you’re still having trouble with this in-to-out swing path and really want to get a good feel for it, see these very effective anti-slice drills.