How to stop slicing the golf ball
A slice (for a right-hander, a shot that curves hard to the right) happens when the clubface is open relative to your swing path at impact, usually with an out-to-in path. Fix it by strengthening your grip, squaring your setup alignment and practicing swinging from inside the target line with drills like the headcover gate.
What actually causes a slice
Ball flight mainly comes from two things at impact: where the clubface points (which largely sets the starting direction) and the club's path (which, relative to the face, creates curve). When the face is open to the path, the ball curves right for a right-hander. A typical slicer swings out-to-in (across the ball) with a face that's open to that path. The driver shows it most because its low loft makes sidespin more visible.
| Cause | What you'll see | Fix to try |
|---|---|---|
| Weak grip | Ball starts straight or right and curves right | Rotate hands to a neutral or stronger grip |
| Open alignment | Ball starts left, curves right | Club along your toes to check parallel alignment |
| Out-to-in path | Divots point left of target | Headcover gate drill |
| Ball too far forward | Shoulders open at address | Move ball back slightly (inside lead heel for driver) |
| No forearm rotation | Face stays open | Toe-up-to-toe-up drill |
Three drills
- Headcover gate: place a headcover a few inches outside and behind the ball. An out-to-in swing hits it; an in-to-out swing misses it.
- Toe-up to toe-up: make half swings where the toe points up at waist height on the backswing and again in the follow-through, training the face to rotate closed.
- Alignment stick path: lay a stick on the ground pointing slightly right of target and swing along it.
More drills are in our golf swing basics guide, and new golfers should also read 15 things to know before your first round.
Can equipment help?
A draw-biased or high-forgiveness driver can reduce a slice's curve but won't fix the path. See the best forgiving drivers. A lesson is the fastest fix; see how to choose golf lessons.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I slice my driver but not my irons?
The driver has the least loft, so an open face relative to path shows up as more curve; it's also the longest club, making an out-to-in path more likely.
Will a stronger grip fix my slice?
Often it helps, because it makes squaring the face easier, but path and alignment matter too.
Do draw drivers stop a slice?
They can reduce it by shifting weight toward the heel, but they don't change your swing path.