The slice is the most common miss in amateur golf — and the most misunderstood. The fix is in understanding what actually causes the ball to curve right, then changing one or two variables that matter. And if you are heading to the course straight from work, our cubicle-to-course playbook has a warm-up routine that prevents the first-tee slice.
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All iron sets independently purchased and tested over 10+ rounds each. Forgiveness and distance measured on real courses across multiple swing speeds. See full testing methodology
Why You Actually Slice
A slice is caused by an open clubface relative to your swing path at impact. The ball starts left (for right-handers) and curves right because the face is open to that path. The cure: close the face relative to the path.
Fix 1: Fix Your Grip
The #1 root cause. Most slicers have a weak grip. Rotate both hands clockwise (right-handers) until you see 2.5 knuckles on your left hand and your right palm faces the target. This alone reduces your slice by 50%.
Fix 2: Close the Clubface at Address
Most slicers set up with an open face without knowing it. For drivers, tee up slightly higher and close the face 1–2° at address. Look for a 'draw' or 'D' setting on modern drivers.
Fix 3: Fix Your Swing Path
The over-the-top move creates the leftward path. Feel like you're dropping the club into your back pocket at the start of the downswing, then swinging out to right field.
5 Drills to Groove the Fix
- Alignment stick drill — Place a stick pointing at target, swing from inside it.
- Towel drill — Tuck towel under right armpit; keep it tucked through impact.
- 10-finger grip drill — Hit 20 balls with baseball grip to force face closure.
- Gate drill — Place two tees wider than clubhead; swing through without hitting them.
- Step-drill — Step lead foot back to almost together feet to prevent over-the-top.
Gear Changes That Help
A draw-biased driver can take a 30-yard slice down to a 10-yard fade. Softer shafts help if your swing speed is under 95mph — you can't load stiff shafts properly. Impact tape (~$12) on your driver face for 3 sessions will show you exactly which fixes work.
- Impact tape (~$12) — Stick to the driver face to see your miss pattern. Fastest feedback loop in golf.
- Alignment sticks 2-pack (~$12) — Place in the ground to see your swing path vs target line during range sessions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What actually causes a golf slice?
An open clubface relative to the swing path at impact. The ball starts in the direction of the path and curves toward the face direction. Fix the face angle first, then the path.
How long does it take to fix a golf slice?
Most weekend golfers see 50% reduction within 2–3 range sessions with grip and path fixes. A complete fix typically takes 4–6 weeks of deliberate practice.
Should I get a draw-biased driver to fix my slice?
Fix your grip and path first — those are free and permanent. A draw-biased driver is a useful band-aid but won't solve the root cause.
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Last updated: 2026-03-27
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