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Slice (correction of…) Driver Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 12 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

An Open Clubface at Impact: A Lesson from Hank Haney

Michael has been playing in the 90s his whole life and has never taken a lesson. In about ten minutes, Hank Haney had him hit his first draw: a slightly tighter grip, a flatter swing, and a left hand that rotates before the ball, not after.

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Hank Haney
Hank Haney · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

14 minNext Level UpWeak Grip and Slices: The Domino Effect with the DriverGuillaume Biaugeaud · Intermediate4 minSame problemSlice: Are you gripping the club too tightly? Let your hands rotate.Simon Camirand · Beginner / Intermediate1 minFrom the same proOver-rotated finish: Hank Haney's adviceHank Haney · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Hank Haney starts by identifying the problem: you slice when The side faces the path. of the swing. His example: a 2° path to the left with a clubface 1° to the left results in a 1° open face and a slice every time. With Michael, the path isn’t that bad—it’s the clubface that doesn’t close. His motto: to play well, you have to go through the hook, not the slice.

The lesson consists of three steps. One a slightly stronger grip (the "V" formed by both hands toward the right shoulder), held with the pressure of a handshake. Practice swings above the ground, as if hitting a ball from a very high tee, to flatten the plane swinging toward the right side of the field. Finally, turn your left hand away toward the target before reaching the ball: after that, it's too late.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Shake someone's hand: that's the kind of pressure the club needs to keep up.
  2. Use a strong grip, with both hands positioned slightly lower on the shaft, pointing V toward your right shoulder.
  3. Take some practice swings above the ground, as if you were hitting a ball resting on a very high tee.
  4. Swing toward the right side of the field (the second baseman, in Haney's baseball illustration), not toward the left.
  5. Lower the club by about fifteen centimeters, then a little more, while maintaining the same feel.
  6. In slow motion, rotate the back of your left hand toward the target before reaching the ball.
  7. Hit the ball, and let your eyes follow it all the way to the finish.

Key Takeaways

A clubface that is open to the fairway—even by just one degree—results in a slice.
First, you learn how to spin the ball from right to left.
A slightly stronger grip: the "V" formed by both hands points toward the right shoulder.
The grip pressure remains gentle, like a handshake.
At impact, the back of the left hand faces the target.
The left hand turns before the ball: if you wait, it's too late.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Aim the closed face at the address to compensate for the ball drifting to the right: aim it square.
  • Grip the club tightly and keep your arms stiff.
  • Wait for the impact before closing the clubface: it closes too late.
  • Swing to the left of the target.
  • Focus on where the ball was instead of following it with your eyes.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Practice swings above the ground, as if on a very high tee
  2. Aim for the right side of the field
  3. Left hand rotates before the ball, soft grip
  4. A shot that goes to the left is already an improvement

Your Questions

Why do I slice the ball even though my club path is correct?

Because a slice depends on the clubface's position relative to the path. Hank Haney demonstrates this with Michael: his path wasn't that bad, but his clubface wasn't closing in time.

What does “turning the back of the left hand” mean?

At impact, the back of the left hand should be facing the target. A slicer hits the ball with the side of the hand: you need to initiate this rotation before making contact with the ball.

My shots are now going to the left—is that normal?

Yes. For Haney, anything that rotates from right to left is a step in the right direction: better to the left than to the right. You then need to set up with the clubface square at address.

Should you grip the club tighter to control the clubface better?

No. The pressure is like that of a handshake, and Haney keeps telling Michael to loosen his grip and relax his arms.

Learn More

All “Slice” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Slice: Are you gripping the club too tightly? Let your hands rotate.Gripping the club too tightly to keep the clubface square actually prevents it from closing; a test from one shoulder to the other checks for the correct grip pressure. Weak Grip and Slices: The Domino Effect with the DriverA grip that's too loose triggers a chain of errors (open shoulders, locked hips, poorly positioned right elbow) that are corrected in order, from the grip to the finish. Driver Slice: Align Your Forearms at AddressA slice can be caused by the following: a square face but misaligned forearms; adjust your setup, then let your hips lead your torso. Hank HaneyAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Hank Haney). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

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