How to stop slicing driver? A common question amongst 90% of amateur golfers, who struggle with the big left to right. Aiming further and further left can only make it worse. So, how can you cure such a destructive shot?
In this article, we break down what is a slice and what is the cause. As well as a step by step guide from PGA Professional Jack Backhouse on how to eliminate in for good.
- RELATED: Best Driver’s for Slicer’s 2025
What is a Slice in Golf?
For a right-handed golfer, a slice is a shot in which the ball starts to the left of the target line, then curves to the right past the target and finishes to the right.
A shot that starts to the right of the target and then curves further to the right is known as a push slice.
This is caused by a swing path that is out-to-in or travelling to the left for a right-handed player with an open clubface to that left path at impact.
What Cause’s a Slice?
There are a few different swing styles that can cause a slice. Ultimately the biggest common denominator is people who cast the club from the top of the swing. This over-the-top movement forces golfers to stand up and pull their arms in to stop the ball from setting off miles to the left or the club head hitting the ground before the ball.
Although this move from the top is the most apparent cause of a slice, often, the slice starts because of a poor backswing. Many golfers keep the club out in front of them and, as a result, don’t get their hands back and behind the body. This can sometimes be purely down to misinformation. However, it is often because people aren’t turning their shoulders enough and are lifting their arms instead.
How to Stop Slicing Driver
Set Up
One of the most common faults I see that slicers present with is poor body alignment. More often than not the golfer will have their feet aligned to the right of the target, and their shoulders aligned to the left.
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Starting from this position encourages the golfer to tilt in their backswing instead of turning and taking the club back on a steeper, more upright plane. This is where it is really easy to cut across the ball and create an out-to-in swing path.
Most tour players address the ball with their shoulders, hips, knees, feet all on the same alignment, and with slightly closed forearms. It it advisable for slicers to always address the ball with their right elbow tucked and slightly underneath the left forarm.
This straight away puts us in position to swing on a more shallow plane, giving us a great chance of hitting the ball from the inside, and creating that in to out path that draws the golf ball.
Grip
Many golfers could reduce the curve of their ball flight by strengthening their grip.
Many players have a weak grip; this is where the hands are turned too much to the left for a right-hander. This can cause players to fan their hands open in the takeaway leading to an open face at impact.
Golfers grip the club too much in the palm of their hands. If you wear a hole in the palm of your glove, then this is you. And if you just struggle to stop the ball from shooting off the right of target, this will absolutely help.
It’s important to get the club in the fingers. Then wrap the hand over the top of the grip. This is a great way to go about fixing your slice with driver.
Not only is this just a more closed position, but gripping the club in the fingers gives the player more control over the golf club. This allows for a more precise strike.
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Hip Turn
If you are a golfer who is still trying to resist your hip turn, turn against a stiff right leg or create some kind of ‘x-factor’ when you turn back, it is time to get out of 90’s golf instruction and join us here in the modern world!
There is a HUGE correlation between the amount of hip turn in the backswing and then the swing path at impact. With the bigger hip turn players achieving a more neutral swing path. The smaller hip turn players all having the dreaded out to in, slicers swing path.
Right from the start of the golf swing, the trail hip should move backward, and the trail knee should straighten.
This allows the golfer to create a bigger shoulder turn and get the club more inside. This is one of the first things I look for with golfers who slice drivers on the driving range. It is Alsop one of the easiest ways to correct a slice.
All the greatest players ever had big hip turns, and you should too.
Equipment
There are so many different drivers on the market that are designed to help players how struggle with a slice. If you don’t have lots of time to dedicate to changing technique, this could be an area to invest in.
These drivers are designed to help promote a draw, therefore counteracting the big left to right.
Check out our guide to the Best Driver’s for Slicer’s 2025.
Conclusion
How to stop slicing your driver? It’s a question a lot of golfers want and need the answer to. Ironing out one of the most destructive shots off the tee could be the key to lowering your scores. Above are some simple tips to help you stop slicing your driver, next time you play. Give these a try and let us know how you get on!
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