The Golf Swinger Doctor

The Ultimate Guide to Stop Slicing Your Driver

The Ultimate Guide to Stop Slicing Your Driver

Updated: January 30, 2025

Stop Slicing Your Driver: Tips to Hit Straighter Drives

Slicing with the driver is a common frustration among golfers. A slice with your driver can reduce distance, accuracy, and overall consistency. Understanding why you slice and learning how to correct it can transform your game, making drives more enjoyable and productive. Below, we’ll cover practical tips to help you stop slicing your driver and start hitting straighter, more powerful shots off the tee.

Why Am I Slicing My Driver?

A slice happens when the clubface is open relative to the swing path at impact, creating sidespin that causes the ball to curve right (for right-handed golfers). Common causes of slicing a driver include an improper grip, an outside-to-in swing path, or an open clubface. Let’s dive into how to correct these issues.

1. Fix Your Grip to Square the Clubface

A good grip is the foundation of a solid drive. Many golfers who slice tend to have a grip that leads to an open clubface. Here’s how to correct it:

  • Use a Stronger Grip: Rotate your hands slightly to the right (for right-handers) on the club, so you can see two to three knuckles on your left hand. This stronger grip helps keep the clubface square or slightly closed at impact.
  • Avoid Grip Pressure: Keep your grip firm yet relaxed. Overgripping can create tension, leading to an open clubface during the swing.

A strong, relaxed grip can help naturally square the clubface and significantly reduce slicing with your driver.

2. Adjust Your Swing Path to an Inside-Out Path

One of the most common causes of a slice is an outside-to-in swing path. This “over the top” motion puts sidespin on the ball. To correct this, focus on swinging from the inside:

  • Start with the Takeaway: Begin your swing by bringing the clubhead back slightly inside the target line rather than straight back. This will set up a more natural inside-out path.
  • Focus on the Drop: At the top of the backswing, feel the club “drop” down to the inside rather than swinging over the top. This move helps the clubhead approach the ball from inside the target line, creating a more direct path.
  • Visualize an Inside Path: Picture your driver moving slightly to the right of your target after impact. Practicing this inside-out swing will encourage a slight draw, counteracting a slice.

3. Close the Clubface at Impact

An open clubface is the primary cause of slicing. Here’s how to practice keeping it square or slightly closed at impact:

  • Rotate Your Hands Through Impact: Focus on rotating your forearms through impact to square or close the clubface. Imagine the back of your left hand facing your target as you make contact.
  • Practice with a Neutral Clubface: Set up a few practice shots with the clubface slightly closed (pointed slightly left of the target). This practice can help you feel the difference and get used to a square or closed clubface at impact.

4. Adjust Your Stance and Ball Position

The right stance and ball position can greatly reduce your tendency to slice with a driver:

  • Ball Position: Position the ball slightly forward in your stance, aligned with the inside of your lead heel. This placement gives you more time to square the clubface before impact.
  • Shoulder Alignment: Keep your shoulders square or slightly closed to the target line. Open shoulders encourage an outside-to-in swing, so make sure your alignment supports an inside path.
  • Weight Shift: Shift your weight to your front foot during the downswing, which helps create an in-to-out path. A balanced weight shift helps reduce slicing and gives you more power in your drive.

5. Use Targeted Drills to Correct Your Driver Slice

Practicing with specific drills can reinforce the changes you need to stop slicing. Try these drills regularly to build consistency in your swing:

Inside Tee Drill

Set up two tees: one where you’d normally place the ball and a second one about 2 inches inside the target line. Practice swinging through so that your clubhead misses the inside tee, which encourages an in-to-out swing path.

Swing Path Drill

Use an alignment stick just outside the ball at an angle that matches your desired in-to-out path. Practice swinging so your club follows this line, avoiding the alignment stick, to reinforce a square or closed clubface at impact.

Slow-Motion Swing Drill

Take a few slow-motion swings, focusing on the feel of a closed clubface and an in-to-out path. This drill builds muscle memory, making it easier to repeat the correct movements at full speed.

6. Check Your Driver Specifications

Sometimes, equipment can affect your swing more than you realize. If you’ve tried various techniques but still slice your driver, check these factors:

  • Shaft Flex: If your shaft is too stiff, it may be hard to square the clubface, especially if you have a slower swing speed. A more flexible shaft can promote better clubface control.
  • Loft: A driver with more loft can help reduce slicing. Higher loft adds backspin, which stabilizes ball flight and reduces sidespin.
  • Grip Size: Ensure your grip isn’t too large or small for your hands, as grip size affects your ability to release the club and close the face.

Final Thoughts on How to Stop Slicing Your Driver

Stopping a slice with your driver may take some time, but by adjusting your grip, swing path, stance, and practicing with targeted drills, you’ll be well on your way to hitting straighter drives. Consistent practice and patience are key to overcoming slicing. Before you know it, you’ll enjoy hitting powerful, straight drives that land where you intend, boosting both your confidence and performance.

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14 Nov 2024 swingguy Fix your slice No Comments

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I know your a busy man so I'll keep this short. If I ever meet you in person I'll KISS you!!!!! You have saved my golf game. I've been playing for 2 years and in the beginning I found it very easy. In less than 9 months I was a 14 and it was looking like it was going to continue to go down. Then I hit a wall, that little ball started to go right, and then it went further right, then even further right..... I was losing massive distance as well, 3 clubs. I fought with it for ages.  Well I'm now 4 months into my new swing and I shot a 77 yesterday. You absolute beauty!!!! 15 of 18 greens, what a game!!!!! Your mental course is magnificent, coupled with the draw system I can now play golf on a level I never thought possible.

John Shields
Texas, USA

Although the system is meant to improve your draw, in fact it has improved other areas of my game e.g. my setup and accuracy. I am now consistently hitting the ball cleanly and going in the direction I want it to. I think these are the benefits of the various drills and exercises you suggested.

The "Draw" System has narrowed the exercise and search for improving my game because everything is presented in a neat package without having to search all of them individually.

Being new to the game I did wonder why certain drills and exercises were recommended. In the end I did find out they were great. The instructions are explained very simply and easy to follow but as I said I did wonder initially what they had to do with trying to draw the ball. The answers came in the end.

I used to slice the ball badly before but now I can hit it straight or if it goes right it is not as bad as before, at least it still stays on the fairway. It is a great feeling to see that ball stay on the fairway."

Niumaia Tabunakawai
Suva, Fiji