What Causes A Slice In Golf With Your Driver? + QUICK FIX
There's a most common miss in recreational golf - the slice! Chances are you are slicing the ball and you're wondering what causes a slice in golf, especially with your driver. Well, you're not alone. Some even say that 95% of golfers slice the ball😱 Let's see what's the main reason you're slicing your driver and how to prevent it.
What Causes A Slice In Golf?
First let's see what causes a slice in golf. No matter the shape of your shot, if you hook the ball or if you slice it, there are 2 main factors that affect the direction and shape of the shot:
- Swing path
- Open/closed club face
You have to coordinate both things to hit it where you want.
BUT HERE'S THE CATCH! This doesn't mean you need to have a perfectly aligned swing path and squared club face every time.
Simple Explanation Of A Golf Shot
There are many in-depth swing analysis and technical explanations of the swing, but let me explain it to you in a very simple way.
Back in the days people believed that:
- swing path determines the starting direction of the ball,
- and the club face determines the spin.
Well, it's not far from the truth, even I was taught that more than 20 years ago when I started golfing. And I still think it's some truth in there, but with more data from Trackman, ForeSight and other launch monitors analysts found out that the club face actually determines the starting direction of the shot. And the relation between open/closed club face and swing path determines the spin.
- Open or closed club face determines where the ball will start to,
- and the swing path to face relationship determines the curve of the ball.
For example if you swing neutral (on plane) and have an open club face, the ball already starts a little to the outside of the aiming point. And because the club face is open to your swing path, this adds slice spin rotation to the ball and cause the ball to curve.
Some argue about what is true and what not, just like what came first, the chicken or the egg. Does the club face determine the starting point of the ball, or the swing path?
Well, it actually doesn't matter to us, we can come to the same conclusion - it doesn't matter if you swing from outside in or inside out, the most important thing is to improve the club face position in relationship to the swing path.
Because as we said, you can have a perfect straight swing path, but if your club face is open, you will slice the ball.
On the other hand, even if you swing across the line, from outside in, you can still prevent slicing the ball and hit pretty nice fades. You can do that by properly aligning the club face. So even if you're swinging from outside in, try to close the club face at the impact in relation to the target, but still have it open to your swing path, like this:
(watch blue line) This will cause the ball to start left of the target (right of the target for lefties), but spin towards the target causing a fade (because of open club face to your swing path). And there's nothing wrong with hitting fades. In fact, more and more tour players (like Dustin Johnson, Max Homa, Ludvig Åberg, Brooks Koepka and many others) hit fades because it's easier to control the ball.
How To Stop Slicing Your Driver
So if you want to STOP SLICING your driver, find a way to close the club face. I know, it's easier said than done, but hit the driving range and practice club face control. Figure it out!
Here's one interesting and very simple drill you can do before you go on the course next time:
But don't overdo it, don't focus on technique too much, do Golf Performance Drills instead! With them you can control your club face position without working hours and hours on your technique. Performance drills are simple yet very helpful that don't mess up your technique, but help you with your contact and club face control.
Wondering What Golf Performance Drills Are?
We're working our ass off to prepare a foolproof plan of drills for you, so if you're wondering what Golf Performance Drills are and how they can help you, feel free to subscribe below and we'll let you know when they're available 😉
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