One of the worst feelings in golf would be hitting a slice into the trees, a water hazard, or even into another fairway where you have to locate your ball with another group coming up on the hole. A constant slice can make any player want to toss their clubs in the lake and take up bowling!
To ensure that their golf ball stays in play, players of all ages and ability levels can follow the extremely easy progression listed below.
Coach Michael LaBella has observed thousands of players at MLab Golf in Pennsylvania who have had trouble slicing the ball; with these simple steps we have been able to minimize and even produce draw ball flights. In order to assist players in getting rid of their slice by the end of the week, our crew goes through this identical drill.
Step #1: Understand Your Clubface
The number one reason for anyone to hit a slice is due to their clubface being too open!! The face is rolling open on the takeaway and by the time they approach the top of the swing the toe of the club is pointing down at the ground. This forces the player to either swing over the top or early release the arms and hands in an attempt to square the clubface up at the bottom. Fixing the clubface first is key!! As you take the club back, feel that he butt of the grip points back at you for as long as possible and that the clubface stays looking at the ball for as long as possible in the takeaway. Once the club shaft is parallel to the ground the clubface should be matching your spine angle, it is okay for you to feel exaggerated and even have the toe more down towards the ground. At the top of the swing the ideal position of the clubface leading edge is to have it matching your lead arm, however, our goal is to exaggerate and get rid of that slice. When you get to the top of the swing, try to get the toe of the club to point more to the sky, before when it was open it was pointing at the ground. This will also assist in influencing the club path on the way down as there is no longer a physical need to release the arms and hands early to square up the clubface. You may start hitting these low pull hooks to start, but that is a good sign of you managing the face better and the first step in producing a more penetrating ball flight and well on your way to hitting draws!!!
Step #2: Clubpath & hooking the ball
It is best to practice the exact opposite motion to get rid of the “over the top” move. The clubface can only influence so much, and by now you have already developed a motor pattern within the synapses of your brain that needs to be rewritten. Let’s turn the loop around!!! Once the clubface is correct, notice how the cludhead is sitting behind the hands at the top of the swing, our goal is to make sure we are able to keep this relationship on the downswing, keeping the clubhead behind the hands on the way down. Here is our practice station: set-up an alignment rod sticking out of the ground vertically and in line with your target in the distance, set this roughly 10 to 15 feet in front of your hitting area. Next tee up a golf ball so we can hit from the same area in the station. Lastly, you will stick another alignment rod in the ground so that one end of the rod is hovering just over the ball roughly a grips length. This rod will be running directly behind the ball down the extended target line. This will assist you in getting the club to work more from “inside” versus “over the top.” Start with some slow reps and no golf ball, work to the top, check the clubface, swing down slowly keeping the clubhead behind the hands and staying underneath the rod. If you get over the top you are most likely going to hit the rod. If done correctly, with a square to closed clubface you should start to see the ball start out straighter and still possibly hook left of your intended target. No worries, that is what our next stage is for!
Step #3: Your starting lines
Now with the alignment rod out in front of you, which is lined up with your target in the distance, I want you to visualize starting the ball to the right of the stick. Your goal here is to close the face, swing under the rod, and get that ball started right of your target. To hit a draw, the ball will start right of your target (face open to target), and the path will swing right of where your clubface is pointed (in to out), the difference between the two creates a closed face to path producing the draw ball flight. The goal with the draw is to start it right of your target line and bring it back to your target. Don’t get worried if you push a few out to the right, most likely your clubface was not where you needed it to be in the backswing.
The last stage of this drill is called “trapping”, or to trap that perfect swing between the two extremes. After hitting 10-20 controlled hooks (draws), go back to the slice motion but hit it that way purposefully.
After going back and forth you will gain a better understanding of the golf swing. Lastly, find a happy medium of the two extremes more neutral to the path. Not only will this fix your slice, but also provides another important lesson in curving the ball to your liking.
This is a great routine to take with you to the practice range before your round. One of the quickest ways to get back into a bad swing habit is to go straight to the first tee. Make a conscious effort at the driving range to work through fades (controlled slice) and draws (controlled hook) and slowly make your way to the neutral swing. Give yourself 15-20 minutes on the range and take the first tee with confidence.
You can get rid of that annoying slicing by following these methods, but mastering your swing requires practice. Whether you're hitting hooks, slices, or trying for a perfectly straight shot, the MLab Golf progression offers a simple way to comprehend and modify your swing path.
Building muscle memory and establishing a confident tone for the day can be achieved by practicing this drill prior to your round. With your improved ability to control the flight of the ball, enjoy the game, embrace the rhythm, and be patient.
Step #4: Proper Practice
The last step is putting this into proper practice. Far too often do I see someone come in for a lesson and make the changes within our time together. Then they leave the session and don't focus on the drill and they fall into the same pitfalls as they had before. The drill is there to assist you in making the changes, even the best of the best players on the PGA Tour have their “calibration” drills they do before practice rounds and tournament rounds as a maintenance system like getting the oil changed in your car.
Let’s start with each step in order - clubface, club path, and starting direction.
Start with 5-7 reps focused on clubface, hit a shot
5-7 reps on path, hit a shot
5-7 reps with starting direction, hit a shot
3 shots putting it together with the station
3 shots putting it together without the station
Repeat 5-7 times.
Start with slow, deliberate reps, there is no need to speed these swings up since you are rewriting your motor pattern.
Once you become competent and start seeing a consistent draw ball flight you can then start to mix in fade shots, just think back to a little bit of your old swing. If you can manage both shots you will become deadly on the course!
After going back and forth you will gain a better understanding of the golf swing. Lastly, find a happy medium of the two extremes more neutral to the path. Not only will this fix your slice, but also provides another important lesson in curving the ball to your liking.
This is a great routine to take with you to the practice range before your round. Make a conscious effort at the driving range to work through fades and draws and slowly make your way to the neutral swing.
You can get rid of that annoying slicing by following these steps and practice regimine, but mastering your swing requires practice. Whether you're hitting hooks, slices, or just trying to gain more control out of your swing, the MLab Golf progression offers a simple way to comprehend and modify your swing path.With your improved ability to control the flight of the ball, enjoy the game, embrace the rhythm, and be patient.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What causes a slice in my golf swing?
95% of the time a slice occurs when the golfer's clubface is too open during the takeaway into the top of the backswing (or even on the downswing), causing the club path to move over the top. This results in the ball curving dramatically from left to right (for right-handed players).
How can the "Hook the Ball" drill help eliminate my slice?
The "Hook the Ball" drill involves intentionally swinging the club in the opposite motion of a slice to promote an inside-out swing path. By practicing hooks or draws, you train your mind to move the clubhead from the inside, which counteracts the slicing motion. This helps reset your swing mechanics, making it easier to achieve a more neutral and controlled swing path that keeps the ball in play.
Why is it important to record my swing when trying to fix a slice?
Recording your swing allows you to visually identify flaws in your swing mechanics, such as an overly open club face in the takeaway. By analyzing your recorded swings, you can pinpoint specific areas that need adjustment. This awareness is crucial for effectively applying the corrective drills and making lasting improvements to your swing.
Can these slice-fixing drills benefit golfers of all ages and skill levels?
Yes, the drills outlined by MLab Golf in Pennsylvania are designed to be simple and effective for players of all ages and abilities. Whether you're a beginner struggling with consistency or an experienced golfer looking to eliminate a persistent slice, these progressive steps provide a structured approach to improving your swing. Consistent practice using these methods can lead to better control, reduced slicing, and overall enhanced performance on the course.
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