What is a slice in golf?
The slice is the shot that amateurs fear the most. For a right-handed player, the ball starts off traveling roughly straight or to the left, then curves more and more to the right and ends up far from the target—often in the rough, among the trees, or out of bounds. For a left-handed player, the curve goes from right to left.
A slice doesn't just cause you to lose direction: the ball spins a lot, rises, and loses distance. It is most noticeable with the longest clubs—the driver and the fairway wood.
Where does the slice come from?
For a centered hit, two factors determine the ball's flight:
- The orientation of the face At impact, it primarily determines the initial direction.
- The gap between the clubface and the club's path gives the curve.
A slice occurs when the clubface is significantly off course compared to the club's trajectory. The most common pattern among right-handed amateurs: the club moves from the outside in (a “slicing” motion, toward the left of the target), and the clubface points to the right of that out-to-in path. The greater the deviation, the more the ball curves.
A distinction is often made between:
- The Sweater-Slice: The ball goes to the left, then curves sharply to the right.
- The push-slice: The ball goes to the right and curves further to the right. This is the most expensive version.
Slice or fade: What's the difference?
Both effects rotate in the same direction—from left to right for a right-handed person. What sets them apart is their range and control:
| Fade | Slice | |
|---|---|---|
| Curve | Lightweight | Strong |
| Intent | Chosen by the player | Subi |
| Distance | Minimal loss | Significant loss |
| Face Deviation / Trajectory | Low | Large |
A fade is a shot that many professionals use intentionally; a slice is a flaw. The opposite of a slice is the hook, a sharp curve from right to left for a right-handed player.
What are the most common causes of a slice?
- Too weak grip: If your hands are turned to the left on the club shaft, it makes it difficult to close the clubface.
- A grip that's too tight, which prevents the forearms from rotating upon impact.
- Shoulders that open too early on the decline and are giving the visiting team a boost.
- Too far to the right, which the player compensates for by pulling the club to the left.
- A ball that's too far forward in the stance, which opens the shoulders at address.
How do you fix a slice?
There is no single solution, because the causes are interrelated. The safest approach is to first check your address, grip, and alignment before making any changes to your swing. Then, the goal is twofold: to bring the clubface back toward the target line at impact and to bring the club through more from the inside.
The video lessons below detail specific exercises for each of these causes. A coach can also identify, in just a few swings, which one is the primary issue for you.
Video Lessons for Correcting a Slice
Related sections
Related terms
Frequently Asked Questions: Slicing in Golf
What is a slice in golf?
This is a path that curves sharply from left to right for a right-handed golfer and from right to left for a left-handed golfer. It results from a clubface that is very open relative to the club's path at impact.
What's the difference between a slice and a fade?
Both curve in the same direction, but a fade is a slight, intentional curve, whereas a slice is a sharp, uncontrolled curve that results in a loss of distance.
Why do I slice, especially with the driver?
The driver has very little loft: even the slightest deviation between the clubface and the club's path results in a more noticeable curve than with a short iron, whose loft creates more backspin and limits the curve.
How can I stop slicing?
First, check your grip and alignment, then work on closing the clubface at impact and bringing the club in from the inside. The exercises on the "Correcting a Slice" theme page break down each step in detail.