The slice is the most common miss in amateur golf. That weak shot that starts left and curves hard to the right, for a right-handed golfer, costs you distance, accuracy and a lot of confidence. The good news is that a slice is very fixable, and you don't need a coach or a driving range to sort it out. In this guide we cover what a slice actually is, what causes it, and the simple drills that straighten your ball flight, including how to stop slicing your driver. For aids that help with every part of your game, see our guide to the best golf training aids.
What is a slice in golf?
A slice is a shot that curves sharply away from you in the air: to the right for a right-handed golfer, and to the left for a left-hander. It happens when the clubface is open relative to the path the club is travelling on at impact. That open face puts sidespin on the ball, which is what makes it peel off line. A small, controlled version of this curve is a fade, which many good players use on purpose. A slice is the exaggerated, unwanted version that leaks distance and finds trouble.
What causes a golf slice?
Almost every slice comes down to two things at impact: an out-to-in swing path and an open clubface. There is usually a root cause behind them, and for most golfers it is the grip. Here is how they link up:
- A weak grip. If your hands sit too far to the left on the handle, the face tends to stay open through impact.
- An open clubface. An open face at impact adds the sidespin that curves the ball away from you.
- An out-to-in swing path. Swinging across the ball from out to in, often called coming over the top, combines with the open face to produce a big slice.
Fix the grip and the path, get the face squarer, and the slice disappears. The drills below train exactly those things.
6 simple drills to stop slicing
1. Strengthen your grip
Most slices start in the hands. Check that you can see two or three knuckles on your lead hand at address, and that the V shapes formed by your thumbs point towards your trail shoulder. A grip trainer moulds your hands into the correct position so a stronger, squarer grip becomes automatic.
2. Train an in-to-out path
A slice comes from swinging across the ball. Groove the opposite feeling with a swing plane trainer, which gives your club a track to follow so you deliver it from the inside instead of over the top.
3. Square the face with your wrists
If your lead wrist is cupped at the top, the face opens. A wrist trainer teaches the correct wrist set and helps you release the club so the face squares up through impact.
4. Connect your arms and body
When your arms run away from your body, the club swings out and across. Hold a golf impact ball between your forearms to keep everything connected and compact, which naturally shallows the path.
5. Check your alignment
A lot of slicers aim further left to allow for the curve, which only steepens the out-to-in path and makes the slice worse. Lay down a set of alignment sticks and build a square, honest setup so you are not fighting yourself.
6. Slow down and rehearse
Speed hides faults. Make slow, deliberate rehearsals of the in-to-out feeling before you swing at full pace, and let the correct positions sink in. Ten focused minutes a day is more useful than a hundred fast, careless swings.
How to stop slicing your driver
The driver is where a slice does the most damage, because it is the longest club with the least loft to counter sidespin. Everything above still applies, but a few extra points help with the big stick:
- Tee it higher and play it forward. A higher tee and a ball position off your lead heel encourage a slight upward strike and an in-to-out path.
- Feel like you swing out to the right. Exaggerate the feeling of swinging out towards the right of your target, for a right-hander. It will feel extreme, but it usually just balances out an over-the-top move.
- Check your equipment. Many modern drivers have adjustable weights and a draw setting. If yours does, moving it to a draw bias can take some of the curve off while you work on your swing.
Work through the drills with a practice net at home so you can groove the change safely before you take it to the course. Our guide on how to practise golf at home shows you how to set one up.
How long does it take to fix a slice?
With focused daily practice using the right drills, many golfers see a noticeably straighter ball flight within two to three weeks. The grip change is the one that feels strange at first, so stick with it. Once your hands and path settle into the correct positions, the slice stops being something you fight and starts being a fault you have left behind.
Our top picks to fix your slice
- Golf Grip Trainer to fix the root cause and lock in a stronger, squarer grip.
- Golf Swing Plane Trainer to groove an in-to-out path instead of coming over the top.
- Golf Wrist Trainer to square the face through impact.
- Golf Impact Ball to keep your arms and body connected and shallow the path.
- Collapsible Golf Alignment Sticks to build a square, honest setup.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quickest way to fix a slice?
Start with your grip. A grip that is too weak keeps the face open, and fixing it removes the root cause of most slices. Pair it with an in-to-out path drill and you will see change fast.
Why do I only slice my driver?
The driver has the least loft and the longest shaft, so it magnifies any open face and out-to-in path. The same faults that produce a small fade with a wedge produce a big slice with the driver.
Can training aids really fix a slice?
Yes, used consistently. Training aids give you feedback on your grip, path and face that you cannot feel on your own, which is exactly what you need to groove the correct positions.
Ready to straighten it out? Explore our Fix Your Slice range for the grip, path and alignment aids that target the real causes of a slice.