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How to Fix a Slice: Diagnosis and Video Lessons

Is your ball going right and you no longer know what to change? First find the cause of your slice, then the pro lesson that fixes it: grip, club path, shoulders or setup.

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7Free ProgramFix Your Slice in 7 StepsThe Right Lessons, in the Right Order · Get Started →

The slice in 30 Seconds

A slice is a shot that curves sharply to the right for a right-hander (and to the left for a left-hander). It occurs when the clubface is open relative to the path of the club at the time of the impact.

So, two ingredients: the front, often because of the grip or because the hands aren't turning, and the path, a swing that moves from the outside in, often initiated by the shoulders. Start by correcting the one that applies to you: the assessment below will help you identify it.

What's Causing Your Slice? A 6-Question Diagnosis

Look at your ball flight and your setup, then click the option that sounds most like you.

1Does your ball start off to the left and then curve sharply to the right?Your path is out-to-in → 2Does your ball go straight or to the right, and then veer even further to the right?Your face remains open → 3Can you see just one knuckle on your left hand, or are you gripping the club too tightly?Your grip is holding the face open → 4Do your shoulders open up too early, and does your finish stay low?Your body is causing the slice → 5Are your feet, shoulders, or forearms pointing to the left of the target?The slice starts at address → 6Are you a senior, or do you lack flexibility?Lessons tailored to your profile →

Where should I start?

The three top-rated lessons to fix your clubface and path.

12 minAn Open Clubface at Impact: A Lesson from Hank HaneyClose the face before the ball by rotating the back of your left hand, with a flatter swing directed to the right: a live lesson with a beginner.Hank Haney · 349K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★★2 minHank Haney's Loop Exercise to Correct a SliceThe slicer makes a counterclockwise loop; Haney has him repeat the reverse loop, then roll his hands to the 3 o'clock position.Hank Haney · 1.8 million views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★★14 minWeak 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.Guillaume Biaugeaud · 139K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★★

Open Face and a Weak Grip

If the clubface arrives open at impact, the ball starts right and stays there. The most common cause is a weak grip, or hands gripping too tight that stop the forearms from rotating.

5 minThe Alignment Stick Drill Against a Slice: Van de VeldeDistinguish between a slice, a pull-slice, and a push-slice, then bring the clubface back more quickly using your right thumb and index finger, as if waving a wand.Jean Van de Velde · 7K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★4 minSlice: 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.Simon Camirand · 8K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★

For more information: The grip · Draw or fade

The club path is out-to-in

When the club moves from the outside in, it cuts across the ball and causes it to slice. These lessons teach you how to strike the ball from the inside out.

4 minRickie Fowler Corrects His Driver Slice with Butch HarmonA slice often starts at address and in the takeaway: an athletic posture, a club that doesn't move outside the hands, then an inside downswing.Rickie Fowler · 2.1 million views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★2 minButch Harmon's Push and Slice: Two Solutions for the DriverDoes the ball go to the right or curve to the right? Butch Harmon distinguishes between the two flaws and provides a driving range drill for each.Golf Digest · 180,000 views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★17 min3 Drills for Better Driving: Push, Swing Plane and SliceThree driver drills: tap the bag with the tip to correct a push, use a stick on the ground for the takeaway, and pass the stick underneath to correct a slice.Gabriel Anglade · 92K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★8 minThe 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.Lewis Wallace · 75,000 views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★7 minThe Free-Kick Image: From Slice to DrawThe image of Platini's free kick explains the slice and the draw, followed by three adjustments: grip, swinging outward, and weight on the right foot.Jean-Marc Espelt · 10,000 views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★

For more information: Swing and Swing Plane · Driving

Shoulders Opening Early and an Over-the-Top Move

Initiating the downswing with your shoulders causes your left arm to move outward and opens the clubface. These exercises put your lower body back in control.

9 minSlice and Early-Opening Shoulders: The Left Arm StopLeft arm fixed, right arm passing under: you learn to keep the right shoulder low and finish high, instead of shoulders opening flat.Kerrod Gray · 43K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★13 minComing Over the Top: The Left Arm CheckpointComing over the top starts with the left arm drifting outward; keeping it in line with your feet on the way down straightens out the club path.Fabien Gabarre · 100,000 views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★

For more information: Body Rotation · Stability and Balance

The slice starts at address

Misaligned feet, shoulders, or forearms are enough to cause a slice even before you take your swing. Check your alignment before changing your swing.

9 minDriver 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.Danny Maude · 190K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★12 minComing Over the Top and Alignment: Fix the Root CauseComing over the top often compensates for aiming too far right: first fix your feet with a club on the ground, then let the club drop with gravity.Renaud Poupard · 43K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★★

For more information: Address posture · Alignment

Senior Golfers: Correcting a Slice Without Overexerting Yourself

Less flexibility often means more slice. This lesson shows how to exaggerate the draw to regain distance.

19 minSenior 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.Danny Maude · 919K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★

For more information: Special for Seniors

Your Questions About the Slice

Why do I slice with my driver but not with my irons?

The driver has a low loft and a long shaft: even the slightest open face is more noticeable, and a wider swing accentuates an outside-in path. With irons, the loft creates more backspin, which masks some of the side spin.

What is the difference between a slice and a fade?

A fade is a slight, controlled, intentional left-to-right curve. A slice is a strong, unwanted curve that costs distance and takes the ball off the fairway.

Is a “draw” driver enough to correct a slice?

It can reduce a slight slice by helping the clubface close, but it doesn't correct the underlying cause. If your swing path or grip is the problem, the slice will return: work on both at the same time.

How long does it take to fix a slice?

It depends on the cause. A grip or alignment issue can be corrected in just a few sessions; a club path, on the other hand, requires several weeks of practice with a specific drill, such as the “baguette” or Hank Haney’s “loop.”.

I'm left-handed: Are these lessons applicable to me?

Yes. For a left-hander, the slice goes to the left; the causes and remedies are the same—you just need to reverse the sides.

What should I do on the course if I start slicing the ball in the middle of a round?

Aim for the left side of the fairway to give yourself some room, check your grip and alignment between shots, and use a shorter club off the tee if the slice persists.

How to Fix a Slice: Diagnosis and Video Lessons

What's Causing Your Slice? A 6-Question Diagnosis

Where should I start?

Open Face and a Weak Grip

The club path is out-to-in

Shoulders Opening Early and an Over-the-Top Move

The slice starts at address

Senior Golfers: Correcting a Slice Without Overexerting Yourself

Your Questions About the Slice

Why do I slice with my driver but not with my irons?

What is the difference between a slice and a fade?

Is a “draw” driver enough to correct a slice?

How long does it take to fix a slice?

I'm left-handed: Are these lessons applicable to me?

What should I do on the course if I start slicing the ball in the middle of a round?

In summary: How to Correct a Slice in Golf

Find an In-to-Out Club Path

Path direction: 4 o'clock to 10 o'clock (for right-handers)

Strengthen your grip to 11 o'clock

Think of a Tennis Topspin Shot

Let your wrists rotate (don't squeeze the grip)

Rotate your pelvis

Keep your left arm in line with your feet during the downswing