The Best Free Golf Video Lessons565 Free Golf Lessons from the Best ProsOver 120,000,000 views
565 lessons from professionals, selected and summarizedOver 120,000,000 views across all videos
Slice (correction of…) Driver Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 7 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

The Free-Kick Image: From Slice to Draw

Do you know how to hit a free kick? Then you can understand your slice. Jean-Marc Espelt compares a golf ball to a soccer ball to explain where the spin comes from, then offers three key tips for switching from a slice to a draw.

▶
Jean-Marc Espelt
Jean-Marc Espelt · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.
Schedule · Step 7 of 7Fix Your Slice in 7 StepsValidated when: Out of 10 drives, at least half no longer turn to the right.
View the program →

To be continued

14 minNext Level UpWeak Grip and Slices: The Domino Effect with the DriverGuillaume Biaugeaud · Intermediate8 minSame problemThe Alignment Stick Drill to Fix Your SliceLewis Wallace · Beginner / Intermediate8 minFrom the same proSenior Golf Swing: 3 Tips from Jean-Marc EspeltJean-Marc Espelt · Intermediate / Seniors

What the lesson shows

Jean-Marc Espelt starts with an image from soccer. The slice looks like a shot from the outside of the foot: The foot moves from the outside toward the inside, pointing to the right. In golf, this is an out-to-in path with the clubface pointing to the right of that path: the ball rises, then curves to the right. The draw is similar to the Platini's free kick: The strike creates friction that causes the ball to spin from right to left, and it rolls further when it lands.

Here are three key points. One Grip with your left hand turned slightly to the right, to close the clubhead. A path which pushes the clubhead slightly further outward to create that friction. Finally, a 70/30 weight distribution on the right foot, leaning slightly back onto your heels, to stay behind the ball and free up your arms.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Turn your left hand slightly to the right on the grip: a slight tension in your left arm is normal.
  2. Imagine a swing arc that moves from the inside to the outside.
  3. Try to swing the clubhead a little further outward to create the spin needed for a free kick.
  4. Shift your weight 70/30 to your right foot, resting slightly on your heels.
  5. Stay behind the ball at impact and let your arms follow through.

Key Takeaways

Slice: an out-to-in path, with the face oriented to the right of that path.
In soccer, striking the ball with the outside of the foot produces a slice.
Platini's free kick illustrates the draw: a spin that causes the ball to curve to the left.
Left hand slightly turned to the right on the grip.
The clubhead is aimed slightly further outward.
Keep 70% of your weight on your right foot to stay behind the ball.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Go for the ball as you come down, coming from the outside.
  • Keep the right side of the path on your right.
  • Playing tensely out of fear of the right side: it’s better to hit a long shot to the left than a short one to the right that ends up in the water.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Ball on the tee, image of the free kick in mind
  2. Left hand turned to the right, weight distributed 70/30 on the right foot
  3. Clubhead aimed slightly outward
  4. Accept that it will take a little while before the first draws

Your Questions

Why use soccer as an analogy to explain a slice?

Because the motion is the same: a shot with the outside of the foot comes from the outside toward the inside, with the foot pointing to the right, like a club that slices. Platini’s free kick shows the opposite effect.

What is the weight distribution of the driver?

Jean-Marc Espelt recommends a 70/30 weight distribution on the right foot, with a slight emphasis on the heels, to stay behind the ball and free up the arms.

The new grip is causing tension in my left arm—is that normal?

Yes. He warns that it will feel a little strange at first; it's that grip that wraps around the clubhead.

Why aim for a draw instead of a straight shot?

According to him, a draw drops and rolls forward, while a slice rises and bounces to the right.

Learn More

All “Slice” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you 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. The Alignment Stick Drill to Fix Your SliceCome down on a 4 o'clock line and exit at 10 o'clock, using an alignment stick planted on the range. Senior Golfer: From a slice to a draw with the driver, +20 yardsChange the shot shape rather than the motion: the image of a tennis topspin shot turns 30 years of slice into a draw, learned at low speed before adding power. Jean-Marc EspeltAll of his lessons

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

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros