Slicing the golf ball is one of, if not the most common and frustrating problems golfers face. The good news? With an understanding of swing mechanics and deliberate practice, you can eliminate your slice.

This guide provides you with an explanation of the mechanics behind a slice (why does it occur) and outlines three evidence-based drills that focus on correcting the key swing faults responsible for slicing. By integrating these drills into your training routine, you can improve swing path, clubface orientation, and ultimately—shot shape.

Understanding the mechanics behind a slice

What Causes a Golf Slice?

The following are the definitive root causes that contribute to slicing the golf ball:

• Poor alignment: Open shoulders (the feet pointing right/to the target, while your shoulders point left), creates a naturally out to in swing path as the club follows the path of the shoulders, despite your feet pointing to the target.

• Ball position too far backwards: can predispose the swing to cut across the ball or encourages an open club face at impact as the hands don’t have enough time to release the club face properly through impact.

• Over-the-top downswing: This occurs when the club is thrown over the plane during transition into the downswing (from the backswing), creating an out-to-in path. This path naturally promotes sidespin, which when paired with an open face, leads to a slice.

• Weak grip: A grip that is too weak (thumbs pointed straight down the shaft) can leave the clubface open at impact, exacerbating left-to-right spin.

• Lack of body rotation: Insufficient rotation through impact causes the arms and hands to dominate, leading to a casting motion and an open clubface.

At its core, each of these issues affects one of two things: (1) the club face; or (2) altering the direction of the swing arc, resulting in spin that curves the ball off the intended line.

Three Effective Drills to Fix Your Slice

Drill 1: Grip neutrality check

Your grip is the only point of contact with the club—and minor deviations can dramatically affect face orientation.

Procedure:

1. Hold your club in a standard address position.
2. Examine your left hand (for right-handed golfers). You should see two to three knuckles.
3. If you see fewer (a weak grip), rotate your hands slightly clockwise on the grip (to strengthen your grip).

Why it works:

A neutral-to-strong grip helps square or slightly close the clubface at impact. This reduces the chances of leaving the face open, which is one of the primary contributors to slicing. A proper grip also enhances wrist control and face stability through the swing.

Drill 2: Underarm stability drill (towel method)

This drill helps train your body to maintain proper arm-body connection throughout the swing—a key to fixing an over-the-top motion.

Procedure:

1. Place a towel under your trail-side armpit (right armpit for right-handed golfers).
2. Execute slow, controlled swings while keeping the towel pinned.
3. If the towel drops mid-swing, you’re disconnecting—often a sign of an over-the-top motion.

Why it works:

Maintaining arm-body connection helps keep the club on plane and promotes an inside-out path. It discourages the over-the-top move that causes an out-to-in swing path—key in eliminating the excessive sidespin that creates a slice.

Drill 3: Swing path feedback gate (path drill)

This drill provides immediate feedback on your swing direction and helps reinforce proper path orientation.

Setup:

1. Set up your ball
2. Position a ball about a foot behind your teed up ball, and slightly outside of the target line.
3. Place another ball about a foot ahead of the teed up ball, and slightly inside of the target line. The two balls should create a diagonal line.
4. Take full swings, aiming to strike the ball cleanly without hitting either of the two balls placed either side of the ball you are hitting.

Why it works:

This drill encourages a more inside-to-out swing path by penalizing swings that cut across the ball. Practicing this movement helps eliminate the outside-in path that commonly causes slices. It provides visual and tactile feedback to reinforce proper sequencing.

Summary

Correcting a slice requires you to understand the biomechanics of the swing, and the root causes of a left to right spinning ball. These three drills, grounded in swing science, can reshape your ball flight and fix that nasty slice you have.

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