GripSlice (correction of…) All clubs Intermediate ⏱ 5 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

The Alignment Stick Drill Against a Slice: Van de Velde

Name: The Alignment Stick Drill Against a Slice: Van de Velde
Uploaded: 2021-12-21T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 4 min 33 s
Channel: Jean Van de Velde
Description: Before you can correct a slice, you first need to know which type you have. Jean Van de Velde identifies three types of slices, explains the difference between an open clubface and a clubface that’s turned to the right, and then demonstrates his “baguette” exercise to bring the clubface back in time.

Before you can correct a slice, you first need to know which type you have. Jean Van de Velde identifies three types of slices, explains the difference between an open clubface and a clubface that’s turned to the right, and then demonstrates his “baguette” exercise to bring the clubface back in time.

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Jean Van de Velde · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

Schedule · Step 1 of 7Fix Your Slice in 7 StepsConsidered mastered when: Out of 10 balls, you can predict where each ball will go and where it will land.

Step 2 →

To be continued

3 minSame problemReverse-Grip Chipping: Matthieu Pavon's RoutineMatthieu Pavon · Intermediate 12 minSame problemLee Trevino's Swing: Clubface Control on the RangeLee Trevino · Intermediate / Expert 6 minFrom the same proShank and chipping: Don't push your hands toward the ballJean Van de Velde · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Jean Van de Velde first defines three cases. The slice: facing right on a path leading toward the target. The pull-slice: an out-to-in path, with the face always facing right, the ball starting on the left and ending on the right. The push-slice: an inside pitch, facing right, with the ball breaking to the right and then curving further to the right. He highlights a common misconception: the’opening One feature of the clubface is its loft (the shaft is angled backward, so a 7-iron becomes a 9-iron); its orientation, that's the direction she's aiming for. A slice is all about the angle at impact.

This swing drill is for golfers whose body rotates well but whose club lags behind: the clubface arrives pointing to the right, often slightly open. It’s not the large muscles that bring the clubface back—it’s the hands. It takes a little more pressure on the right thumb and index finger, as if to give a flick with a wand or a whip, so that the right hand brings the clubface back a little faster. He demonstrates this with the club held upside down—which makes it easier to feel—and warns that the exercise isn’t suitable for everyone.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Watch your ball: Does it go to the left, toward the target, or to the right before curving?
Determine your type of slice: pull-slice, slice, or push-slice.
Hold the club upside down, by the head, so you can feel the fingers better.
Slightly increase the pressure with your right thumb and index finger.
Swing while feeling your right hand flick toward the ball.
Swing the club as usual and maintain that feeling while hitting balls.

Key Takeaways

Three cases: slice, pull-slice, and push-slice.

Loft = clubface angle; alignment = intended direction.

A slice is caused by the orientation of the clubface at impact.

The better the body rotates and the more the club lags behind, the more the clubface ends up to the right.

It's the hands that bring the face back, not the big muscles.

Baguette: more pressure on the right thumb and index finger.

Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing the open side with the right-facing side.
Apply the same remedy to all slices without knowing which one you have.
Use your body rotation to bring the clubface back.
Shake the entire right hand instead of just the thumb and index finger.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Analyzing Ball Flight in the First Series
Reverse club swings, right thumb-index finger grip
Hitting the ball while maintaining the feel of the club
If the ball goes too far to the left, ease up on the pressure a little

Your Questions

What's the difference between a pull-slice and a push-slice?

The pull-slice results from an out-to-in path: the ball starts to the left and ends up to the right. The push-slice results from an inside-out path: the ball starts directly to the right and curves further to the right. In both cases, the clubface is pointing to the right.

Is an open face the same as a right-facing face?

No. For Jean Van de Velde, the loft is the angle at which the clubface is open: by moving the shaft back, a 7-iron becomes a 9-iron. The orientation is the direction the clubface is pointing, and that’s what causes the slice.

Why hold the club upside down for this exercise?

Because it's much easier to feel the pressure from your right thumb and index finger that way. The goal is for your right hand to bring the clubface back a little faster, like a whip.

Does the "magic wand" technique work for everyone?

No, he says so himself. He's mainly referring to players whose bodies rotate well but whose clubface lags behind at impact.

Learn More

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Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jean Van de Velde). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.