The Short Answer: A slice in golf happens when the clubface is open relative to the swing path at impact, typically due to a poor grip, incorrect takeaway, or an out-to-in swing path. Fixing it starts with building a stronger grip, improving the takeaway, and swinging from the inside.
For many amateur golfers, nothing is more frustrating than watching a golf ball veer off in the opposite direction of where it was intended. The slice is one of the most common issues golfers face, especially with the driver, and it can cost you distance, accuracy, and consistency on the golf course. Fortunately, there are specific and repeatable adjustments you can make to eliminate the slice from your golf game for good. By correcting the mechanics that lead to an open clubface and out-to-in swing path, you'll not only straighten your shots but likely gain extra yards off the tee.
This guide provides practical golf tips to fix a slice based on consistent patterns seen in everyday golfers. From grip to swing plane, every component plays a role. If you’re ready to straighten out your ball flight and shoot lower scores, it starts with understanding why you slice and how to correct it.
What Causes a Slice?
A slice is a type of golf shot that curves sharply from left to right for a right-handed golfer. While it can happen with any club, it’s most noticeable and damaging when it occurs during the driver swing.
The two main reasons for a golf slice are:
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An open clubface at impact
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An out-to-in swing path
This combination causes the clubface to point right of the path during contact, creating spin that sends the ball curving in the opposite direction.
There are different reasons this happens, but most of them are rooted in the grip, takeaway, and swing path. Recognizing and addressing these areas is the most reliable way to fix your golf slice.
Steps to Fix Your Slice
Step 1: Fix Your Grip
The grip is where everything starts. A poor grip, especially a weak grip, tends to leave the clubface open at impact. Many amateur golfers grip the club in their palm or keep the left hand for right-handed golfers rotated too far to the left, limiting their ability to square the clubface.
To build a stronger grip:
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Place the club handle in your fingers, not the palm
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Rotate your left hand slightly to the right so that two to three knuckles are visible at address
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The logo on your glove should be tilted more toward the sky, and your left thumb should rest slightly right of the shaft’s center
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Your right hand should sit more under the grip, not overly on top, so it supports the club naturally through impact
This new grip will help you close the clubface more naturally through the swing, producing a straighter or even draw-biased ball flight.
Step 2: Correct the Takeaway
Once your grip is solid, the next step is to address the takeaway, which can set the tone for your entire swing. A common mistake is taking the golf club too far inside the hands early in the swing. This flattens the swing plane and makes it easier for the club to come over the top in the downswing, leading to that dreaded slice.
What to do instead:
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Keep the clubhead outside your hands during the first couple feet of the takeaway
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Avoid rolling the wrists too early or letting the clubface open
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Make practice swings with slow, deliberate tempo to get the feel of a stable takeaway
Step 3: Build a Better Swing Path
A slice is usually the result of an out-to-in swing path, where the club moves across the target line through impact. This glancing contact leads to side spin and a weak, curved shot. To fix this, you need to feel the club moving from the inside and traveling out toward the target.
What to do instead:
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Use a visual aid during practice, such as an alignment stick or club placed just outside the intended swing path
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Focus on swinging from the inside and sending the club out toward the target line
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For right-handed golfers, aim to swing slightly to the right of the target to promote a more neutral or draw-biased ball flight
This simple adjustment helps correct the swing path and encourages cleaner, more powerful contact with the golf ball. Practicing with visual feedback builds better awareness and helps eliminate the over-the-top motion that causes most slices.
Step 4: Use Your Lower Body More Effectively
Many golfers who slice tend to rely heavily on their upper body, spinning the shoulders open before the club has a chance to drop into the right path. This leads to a steep swing and the classic wipe across the ball.
To correct this, focus on engaging your lower body first:
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On the downswing, shift your weight into your front heel before rotating the upper body
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Think about a slight squat or bump into your lead leg as you transition from backswing to downswing
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This movement creates space for your arms to drop and deliver the club from the inside
Practicing this lower body sequence helps shallow your swing plane and deliver a square clubface more consistently.
Step 5: Adjust Ball Position and Setup
Your ball position can affect how your club approaches impact. If the ball is too far forward, you may subconsciously adjust your swing to reach for it, often leading to an open face and steep path.
Tips for ball position:
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For your driver, the ball should be aligned with the inside of your front foot
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Your stance should be athletic, with your weight balanced and your upper body tilted slightly away from the target
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Keep your chin up to allow for a full shoulder turn
This setup promotes a more natural driver swing and helps support the inside path you’ve been working toward.
Staying on Track During Practice and Play
How to Practice Without Reinforcing a Slice
Once you've made swing changes on the range, it's important to practice in a way that builds good habits without falling back into the same patterns. Fixing a slice is not just about one swing thought or drill. It’s about repeating quality movements with a clear plan.
Start each practice session with a focus on one adjustment at a time. For example, begin by checking your grip, then hit several balls focusing only on takeaway. As you progress, blend in swing path and body movement. Stick to slow, controlled swings at first to feel the changes more clearly. Repeating good swings with proper mechanics helps you commit the movements to memory and reduces the chance of slipping back into old habits.
Use alignment sticks or visual markers during your sessions, and always work toward a target. Practicing without direction leads to lazy swings and can undo progress. Build your swing piece by piece, and keep it simple.
Don’t Overthink It on the Course
Golf swings change on the range, but scoring happens on the course. When you're playing, it's easy to get distracted by too many swing thoughts or try to “fix” your slice mid-round. This usually leads to hesitation, poor contact, and frustration.
The best approach on the course is to commit to one or two simple feels. For example, remind yourself of your stronger grip and the feeling of swinging from the inside. Let those guide your swing rather than overanalyzing positions in motion.
A solid pre-shot routine helps anchor these feels. Pick a target, take a purposeful practice swing, and trust the work you’ve done. If your takeaway and grip are in a good place, you’ve already put yourself in a better position to avoid a slice.
Progress happens when you play with clarity and confidence. Don’t chase swing mechanics while standing over the ball. Practice with focus, then play freely. Let the swing happen.
Get the Feel You Need with BRUCE BOLT
Every great golf swing starts with your hands. When you're fixing a slice, your grip isn’t just important — it’s the starting point. It's how you square the clubface, shape the ball flight, and create a path that holds up under pressure. That connection has to feel strong, stable, and repeatable.
BRUCE BOLT premium golf gloves are built to deliver the grip and control you need to correct your swing from the ground up. Whether you're working through takeaway drills or rebuilding your path, our gloves help you lock in your feel. No slipping. No second-guessing.
A better swing doesn’t happen by chance. It comes from fixing your fundamentals. A stronger grip. Better face control. A swing that moves from the inside. With a glove that supports your hands every step of the way, you can stay committed through every shot.
Ready to eliminate your slice and take control of your swing? Start with BRUCE BOLT.
