The Anti-Slice Swing
The slice is a high weak shot to the right,
which is all too common among amateur golfers.
It's the kind of shot that can be frustrating
because you know that your clubface is open at
impact but not sure why nor how to fix it.
Some of the most common causes for a slice are:
1) Weak grip - meaning your hands are turned
to the left so the "V's" formed by the thumb and
forefinger point to the left of your chin. The
club is therefore too much in your palms. It is
hard to square the clubface at impact with a weak
grip.
2) Having the left wrist cupped at the top of the
backswing resulting in an open clubface. This will
cause you to swing from outside to in or over the
top in an effort to square the clubface.
3) Too tight a grip pressure. Holding the club tightly
will cause your arms to be blocked (left arm over
your right) after impact. The position of your arms
keeps the clubface open too long, resulting in a slice.
As you can see the most important aspect to slicing
is controlling the clubface. Here are a few drills to
draw the ball.
1) Strengthen your grip by turning your hands to the
right on the club and hold the club in the fingers. The
"V's" in the hands should point to the right of your chin
and the club should lie across the base of your fingers
in both hands.
2) If the left wrist is cupped at the top of the swing
try to flatten it out. There are different ways to feel
this. First, feel like you're holding a tray with your
right hand. This puts the right wrist in a 90-degree angle
and will flatten your left wrist. Second, try to bow the
left wrist at the top. Finally, try putting a pencil inside
your glove (on the back of your hand). This will keep the
wrist flat or it will dig into your arm.
3) Make five swings in a row holding the club as tight as you
can. Then five holding the club as lightly as you can. With the
tight pressure the club will feel light and difficult to
swing with speed. With light pressure you should be able
to feel the club head better and swing with more speed,
because your arms are releasing (right arm rolling over
the left).
By Kevin Sprecher
Kevin Sprecher is the Master Instructor at the Jim
McLean Golf School at Doral in Miami, FL. For information
on Private Lessons with Kevin or any Jim McLean Golf School
contact 305-591-6409 or 800-723-6725.