How to Stop a Slice and Start Hitting Straighter Drives

The cause

What causes a slice?

A slice usually happens when the clubface is open at impact while the swing path cuts across the ball from outside to inside. In simple terms, the club is moving left across the ball while the face is pointed too far right for a right-handed golfer.

That combination creates sidespin, which sends the ball curving dramatically to the right.

01 · Setup

Adjust your stance first

Before changing your swing, check your stance. Many golfers slice because they set up with their shoulders, hips, or feet open to the target. That open stance encourages the club to swing across the ball from outside to inside, which creates the slicing spin.

Start by setting your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line. For a right-handed golfer, make sure your lead shoulder is not pulled open and pointing too far left. You can even close your stance slightly by dropping your trail foot back an inch or two. This gives your body more room to swing from the inside and helps the clubface square up through impact.

If your stance points left, your swing will often cut across the ball. Square your setup first, then work on the rest of your swing.

02 · Ball position

Use the right ball position for each club

Your setup changes slightly depending on the club in your hands. A good rule is that the longer the club, the farther forward the ball should be in your stance.

• Driver: ball lined up with the inside of your left heel.
• Fairway wood: ball lined up under your left armpit.
• Hybrid: ball positioned between your left nipple and left armpit.
• Shorter clubs: ball moves gradually back toward center.
• 7- to 8-iron: ball centered between both feet.

This setup helps you catch the ball at the right point in the swing arc. With the driver, the forward ball position helps you hit slightly up on the ball. With fairway woods and hybrids, the ball is still forward, but not as far as the driver. As the clubs get shorter, a more centered position helps create cleaner contact and better control.

03 · Face control

Check your grip

Once your stance and ball position are set, look at your grip. If your grip is too weak, the clubface is more likely to stay open through impact.

Try turning both hands slightly to the right on the grip if you are a right-handed golfer. You should be able to see two or three knuckles on your lead hand when you look down. This helps the clubface square up more naturally.

04 · Direction

Check your alignment

Many slicers aim left to play for the slice, but that can actually make the problem worse. Aiming left often encourages an even more outside-to-inside swing path.

Set your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line. Use an alignment stick or club on the ground during practice to make sure your body is not aimed too far left.

05 · Path

Swing from the inside

To reduce a slice, you want the club approaching the ball more from the inside. A good feeling is that your downswing starts by dropping the club slightly behind you instead of throwing it out toward the ball.

One simple drill: place a headcover just outside the ball and slightly behind it. Practice swinging without hitting the headcover. This encourages a better path and helps prevent the over-the-top move that causes many slices.

06 · Tempo

Do not try to kill it

The harder you swing, the easier it is for your body to get out of sync. Many slices get worse when golfers try to crush the ball.

Focus on a smooth tempo and balanced finish. A controlled swing with a square clubface will usually go farther than a wild swing with a big slice.