Golf Beginners: How to Fix a Slice Step by Step

Learning golf is exciting, but it comes with its share of challenges. As a beginner, focus on making clean contact, finding rhythm, and understanding the basics.

If you’re a golf beginner, a few things are more frustrating than watching your ball start straight and suddenly veer tough to the right. Yep, that’s a slice, and it’s one of the most common issues golf beginners face. The good news? It’s fixable.

At MLab Golf, pro coach Michael Labella has helped countless golfers eliminate the dreaded slice with a simple approach to make every shot count. Whether you’ve just picked up your first set of clubs or been battling your slice for a while, this guide will walk you through the fundamentals of fixing it, for good.

Understand why and when Slices Happen in Golf

Let’s keep it simple: 90% of slices are caused by an open clubface at impact. That means your clubface is pointing to the right when it hits the ball, sending your shot curving off-target. According to Michael Labella, there are three primary reasons this happens:

• The clubface opens during your backswing

• Your grip is too weak

• You're holding off the release after impact in your golf swing. This prevents the club from rotating naturally and often leads to slicing.

Once you understand these causes, you can start correcting them one by one.

Step 1: Get a Better Grip

Your grip controls the clubface period. If your lead hand (usually the left) is too weak, your clubface naturally opens. Golf coach Michael Labella recommends adjusting your grip so the club sits more in your fingers than your palm.

• Look for two knuckles on your lead hand.

• Your right hand should be neutral, covering your left thumb.

• The "V" between your thumb and index finger should point to your right cheek. 

This alone can instantly square your clubface and reduce that slice.

Step 2: Control Your Takeaway

A common golf beginner mistake? Rolling the clubface open as you start your backswing. This sets you up for not working right at the top of the swing. Instead, Michael Labella advises:

• Keep the butt end of the club pointing toward your body during the takeaway to maintain proper clubface control and swing path.

• Make sure the clubface stays pointed at the ball longer.

• Matching the clubface angle to your spine angle as you reach the top.

This helps keep the face square through impact and gives you a more powerful, accurate shot.

Step 3: Learn to Release the Club

A proper release is one of the most overlooked elements in a beginner’s golf swing. Holding the club off through impact—rather than letting it release naturally—often leads to the dreaded “chicken wing” and, unfortunately, more slicing.  Here’s what to feel:

• Let the toe of the club rotate naturally after impact

• When your arms are parallel to the ground post-impact, the clubface should point back toward your target line

• Don’t fight the release—embrace it for a better shot shape

Golf coach Michael Labella at MLab encourages golfers to aim for pulls to the left at first. That means you're closing the face and eliminating the slice.

Practice Makes Consistency

As Michael Labella of MLab Golf explains, improving your swing starts with understanding the “why” behind each move, not just chasing quick results. By focusing on the fundamentals—grip, takeaway, and release—you build a swing that works more naturally, reducing compensation and minimizing mishits.

Here’s a simple drill sequence to follow:

• Practice the grip—check for two knuckles

• Rehearse takeaway—slow and controlled

• Feel the release—let the toe turn through the impact

Stick with this for a few sessions, and you'll be amazed at how your ball flight transforms.

Fix Your Slice, Love the Game More

Golf is tough, challenging requires focus, but rewarding. As a beginner, you’re going to have off days. But with the right guidance from a golf coach can make your golf swing refined.

At MLab Golf, Michael Labella offers you the opportunity to start building a swing that works with you and trains you to enhance your golf game.

Great golf doesn’t start with power—it starts with precision. Focus on the setup, trust your swing, and let consistency follow.