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Will · 06-10-2007, 03:34 PM

Alright, let me first start off by saying, I know this is a broad question and without a video of my swing yall will have no way of specifically diagnosing my problem, but just give me whatever tips youve got.

I have a wicked slice this year. I dont get what Im doing. My setup, tempo etc. are all the same as they have been in the past. Ive taken lessons in the past so I have a basic understanding of what my swing should be. Ive always had a slight left to right motion to my drives but now Ive just got a straight hook out there. Im talking, 200-220 yards max on my drives due to the hook, which used to be 260+. The hook is completely contained within my woods. My irons I hit straight.

So having that said, what are some basic causes to hitting a slice and tips to help get it under control? Im starting to worry I shouldve gotten stiff flex shafts, as my steel shafted irons I hit straight, and my regular flex graphite woods are where I have the slice.

Any tips that yall could offer are much appreciated.

300Yards · 06-10-2007, 05:16 PM

Well your right, without seeing your swing, noone can really say what the problem is, but here a few guidelines for you. Make sure that right elbow stays tucked close to your body, throughout your whole swing. Check the elbow at the top, if you have a chicken wing, be sure to pull it closer. Check that you are beginning the downswing like you should, and that you aren't throwing your hands at the ball. Check your grip, if your slicing, your grip may be too weak, try strengthening it a little bit, but be sure to keep the pressure on the club low. Just tight enough so that you won't throw it. Make sure that you are rotating your hands through impact. Something I tell people to do, is to make sure that their bellow button is almost facing the target, through impact. What this does, is make sure you are rotating your hands, and that your swing path is where it should be. Remember, a slice is an open clubface, and usually a out to in swingpath, casuing a cut acroos the ball, and creating a torrent of side spin. If this doesn't solve your problem, then I would suggest you consult a pro, and see if there's something else that could be causing your banana balls. Good luck with exercising the slice demon!

Will · 06-10-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300Yards

Well your right, without seeing your swing, noone can really say what the problem is, but here a few guidelines for you. Make sure that right elbow stays tucked close to your body, throughout your whole swing. Check the elbow at the top, if you have a chicken wing, be sure to pull it closer. Check that you are beginning the downswing like you should, and that you aren't throwing your hands at the ball. Check your grip, if your slicing, your grip may be too weak, try strengthening it a little bit, but be sure to keep the pressure on the club low. Just tight enough so that you won't throw it. Make sure that you are rotating your hands through impact. Something I tell people to do, is to make sure that their bellow button is almost facing the target, through impact. What this does, is make sure you are rotating your hands, and that your swing path is where it should be. Remember, a slice is an open clubface, and usually a out to in swingpath, casuing a cut acroos the ball, and creating a torrent of side spin. If this doesn't solve your problem, then I would suggest you consult a pro, and see if there's something else that could be causing your banana balls. Good luck with exercising the slice demon!

Well, I can check off the flying elbow and belly button, as those were some of the things that plagued my early golfing days and Ive long since corrected. I think you may have hit it with my grip and hand position at impact. Ive noticed my hands seem way ahead of the club head so upon impact Im basicly cutting the ball, plus the fact that I need to strengthen my grip cant bode well for my drives I suppose. Any tips on how to address those things specifically, any drills etc. that would help?

As for grips, Ive always had what most consider a "weak" grip, IE I dont use the interlaced or overlap grip, simply one hand after the other. I figured my comfort outweighed the benefits to the other grips, but maybe Im wrong on that.

65nlovenit · 06-10-2007, 06:32 PM

I think every golf magazine known to man has an article on "How to cure the Slice". The problem comes when people try to identify the type of slice they have. The general consensus seems to be that the golf club is approaching the ball from outside the target line and the face of the club is open. Most of these guys suggest keeping the right elbow tucked in and try to hit the ball on the back left corner promoting an inside to center to inside swing arc. Don't know which type of slice you got, but I think if you go to www:readersdigest.com and search their archives they can provide you with more accredited information. Just my suggestion

300Yards · 06-10-2007, 06:40 PM

A weak grip just means that your hands are turned more to the right, as oppossed to being turning to the left more.(a strong grip) The grip you are using is called a baseball grip..and really only people with small hands should use that grip. What happens is when you use that grip, it becomes harder to make your hands one piece, and therefore, it becomes harder for your hands to become lined up correctly at impact. If your hands are getting ahead of the ball, most likey, this is a weight shift issue, which I'm sorry to say, there really isn't any diehard fix there..it is a hard thing to master, and takes time. Of course, you may nopt be using your wrists enough either.. The only good drill here is too either swing with your feet close together, so that if your weight shift is wrong, you'll be thrown off balance, or you can start swinging a weighted clb, the same way, which is probably the way to go, as it engraves that feeling of tempo, and weight shift into your muscles. One thing I changed in my swing that made the hugest difference is I started taking away much slower, starting with the left shoulder, and pushing the club back, until it is at the top. Then that's when your transfer your weight to the left(If your a righty) Any chance you can provide a video of your swing? There is really so many things that could be going on here..and it's really hard to say for sure. Your best bet is probably to see a pro on that. Often times, it is one simple thing that you aren't doing right.

Will · 06-10-2007, 07:40 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Ill try out some of the weight shift things and Ive been trying to strengthen up my grip, but as you know, old habits die hard. Ill report back w/ my results.

I dont really know how I would go about getting a video. I dont have a video camera, I do have a digital camera that can take videos, but I dont have any driving ranges around to do it at. I guess I could take it out to the course next weekend and do it then. Ill try to get one but cant guarantee anything.

300Yards · 06-10-2007, 08:56 PM

Well, I wish you the best of luck..these things take time, but if you work at it, it will click eventually.

stevel1017 · 06-10-2007, 09:45 PM

see if this helps your grip
Golf Tips, Grip, Stance, Alignment, Swing Path, Pre-Shot Routine, Pre-Round, Solving Problems, Take a Lesson - Golf Grip

Will · 06-10-2007, 11:35 PM

Thanks for that link. Alot of good info there.

I think I can diagnose my slice as a 3 tier one. Im not squaring the club at impact, Im not releasing after impact, and Im not following through completely.

Heres what I think happened, I saw a show on the golf channel I think it was talking about holding your wrist angle a little longer to increase your distance, and I think I got to concentrating on that so much, that I started to not get square or allow my hands to rotate around to square at impact. Ive always had an "incomplete" follow through so I dont think the bulk of the blame would go there. Pretty foolish of me when I was already driving 260+ on average, but you know, you always want a little more. Im pretty excited about getting back out and hopefully gettin on track to fixin the slice.