How to Fix a Slice in Golf
By Tony Meechai, PGA — Thai-American PGA professional golf coach, Bangkok
Updated 2026.09.04
A slice is caused by an open clubface at impact, an over-the-top swing path, or both. Fix it in this order: strengthen your grip, aim your body parallel to the target line, rehearse an inside-down path, then hit short swings with a clubface that stays square.
Why golfers slice, in plain terms
In more than 30 years of coaching, the slice diagnosis I see most is the same one: the clubface is open to the swing path at impact, and the path is slightly over the top — the club approaches the ball from outside the target line and travels to the inside. The result is a ball that starts left and curves right, or starts right and keeps going right.
Almost every slice is one of three errors: a weak grip that keeps the face open, a body that is aimed right of the target (for right-handed players), or a downswing that throws the club over the top because the shoulders outrace the arms.
- Face angle: an open face adds side spin. Weak grips and early face-opening in the backswing are the usual suspects.
- Over-the-top path: the shoulders rotate ahead of the arms, which pushes the club outside the line on the way down.
- Setup: aiming your body right of the target invites an in-to-out correction that becomes a slice pattern.
The fix, in four steps
1. Strengthen your grip. Rotate your lead hand toward the target until you can see the back of your lead hand at address. Before you take the club back, check that the face sits square behind the ball.
2. Aim your body parallel-left. Pick an intermediate target on your desired line, set the clubface square to it, then set your feet and shoulders parallel to that line — not at it.
3. Rehearse an inside path. Take slow swings where the club stays inside the line on the way down. Feel the right arm tucking toward your body through impact, and finish with the club high and left.
4. Slow the tempo, not the swing. A slice is often an effort problem. Shorten your backswing by 10 percent and let the release happen instead of forcing it.
The 10-ball drill
Hit three balls with a strong grip and slow swing, three with a normal swing but a rehearsal pass first, then three alternating between a deliberate over-the-top swing and a correct inside path. Feel the difference in curvature. Last ball: return to your real swing and aim for the same shot shape you just practised.
Practice this at the range for 15 minutes a session instead of 100 balls and no thought — the rep quality matters far more than the rep count.
When a slice is not a slice
If the ball slices, hooks, and straightens within the same bucket, the pattern is a timing issue more than a technique issue. If it only slices with the driver, but not with irons, the problem is usually the driver setup — a tee ball that is too low, or a weak grip that only shows up at higher clubhead speeds. And if a slice appeared suddenly after playing well, check your alignment first; it is the fastest fix in golf.
Frequently asked questions
Q1.What causes a slice in golf?
A slice is an open clubface at impact combined with an over-the-top swing path. Grip, alignment and shoulder timing are the three most common sources.
Q2.Can I fix my slice with a grip change?
Often, yes. Rotating your lead hand toward the target strengthens the grip and helps square the face at impact. It is the first fix most PGA instructors try.
Q3.How long does it take to fix a slice?
With a clear diagnosis and consistent practice, most golfers see a straighter flight within a few sessions of short work. A coach shortens the road by identifying whether the fault is face, path, or both.
Q4.Should I take a lesson or fix it myself?
A lesson is faster because an instructor diagnoses the exact fault instead of guessing. If you are self-teaching, the grip and alignment fixes above solve the majority of slices.
Q5.Do I fix my slice before my hook?
Fix the slice first if it is your dominant miss. If you hit both, work on path and tempo — then the face angle — and keep 15-minute practice sessions with a target shot shape.
