How to Avoid Slicing or Drawing a Golf Ball
Golf is a sport that requires precise control and a steady hand. One of the most frustrating shots for any golfer is when the ball slices or draws off course. Slicing is when the ball curves dramatically to the right (for a right-handed golfer), while drawing is when it curves to the left. Both can lead to lost shots and a higher score on the course. In this article, we’ll look at some of the common causes of slicing and drawing, and offer some tips on how to avoid these mistakes.
Common Causes of Slicing and Drawing
There are several factors that can cause a golf ball to slice or draw. Here are a few of the most common:
- Grip: The way you grip the club can have a big impact on the ball’s flight. If your grip is too weak (i.e. not enough pressure on the club), you may slice the ball. On the other hand, if your grip is too strong (i.e. too much pressure), you may draw the ball.
- Stance: The way you position your feet and body can also affect the ball’s flight. If your feet are too far apart, you may slice the ball. If they are too close together, you may draw it.
- Swing: Your swing path and clubface angle can also cause slicing or drawing. If your swing path is too steep or your clubface is open (pointing to the right of the target for a right-handed golfer), you may slice the ball. If your swing path is too shallow or your clubface is closed (pointing to the left of the target), you may draw it.
Tips for Avoiding Slicing and Drawing
Now that we’ve looked at some of the common causes of slicing and drawing, let’s take a look at some tips for avoiding these mistakes:
- Work on your grip: A proper grip is essential for good ball control. To achieve a neutral grip (i.e. one that doesn’t cause slicing or drawing), place the club in your fingers rather than your palms, and apply equal pressure with both hands.
- Check your stance: Make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart and your weight is evenly distributed. Avoid standing too close to the ball, which can cause you to slice it, or too far away, which can cause you to draw it.
- Practice your swing: Your swing path and clubface angle play a big role in the ball’s flight. To avoid slicing, make sure your swing is not too steep and your clubface is not too open. To avoid drawing, make sure your swing is not too shallow and your clubface is not too closed.
- Use the right club: Choosing the right club for the shot can also help you avoid slicing or drawing. If you tend to slice, try using a club with more loft (such as a hybrid or a high-lofted iron). If you tend to draw, try using a club with less loft (such as a low-lofted iron or a fairway wood).
Conclusion
Slicing and drawing are common mistakes that can affect any golfer. By understanding the causes and implementing the tips above, you can improve your ball control and lower your scores on the course. Practice and patience are key, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. With time and dedication, you can master the art of hitting straight shots.
4 Reasons Why You Slice The Ball
If you often hit a slice there will be 4 reasons why you do this.
The first reason will be because you setup to slice the ball. Most probably you have a weak grip, you have the ball positioned too far forward in your stance and you are aimed to the left.
Poor setup would be the number 1 reason why golfers slice the ball!
Almost all golfers who suffer with a slice problem try to fix it by changing their swing. But what they don’t understand is that their swing is largely determined by how they setup. So they can try swing changes all they want, but without changing the setup they are just putting a band-aid on the problem. And you know what happens to band-aids after a while…. they fall off!
The next biggest reason why golfers slice the ball is that they swing from out to in. This causes the ball to start to the left of the target.
Look, if you want to fix your slice then you have to force yourself to start the ball to the right of the target. There are simple ways that you can do this like I teach in this system, but it really comes down to you biting the bullet and accepting some bad shots for a while until you can start the ball consistently to the right of the target.
The next big reason why golfers suffer from a slice problem is that they contact the ball with an open clubface.
The fact is… if you contact the ball with an open clubface and an out-to-in clubhead path, the only thing that can happen is the ball will start to the left of your target and then slice.
This naturally costs you a lot of distance and accuracy.
So to fix this you need to work on approaching the ball from the inside and then contacting the ball with a slightly closed clubface. It’s really not that tough…. when you know how to do it.
The final reason why golfers suffer from a slice problem is that the equipment they’re using promotes a slice. And the main culprit of this is the club shaft. Most amateur golfers have a club shaft that is too stiff. It’s important that you get fitted with golf clubs, rather than buying clubs off the shelf.
Now the order that I recommend golfers work through in this system when fixing a slice is to start at the setup…then work on the swing. And the best way to work on the swing is not to try to get into positions, but rather to use drills. But you need specific drills in a certain order to fix your slice. Otherwise, you’ll find that you think you have fixed your slice, when in fact you haven’t.
But whether you get a proven system like this to fix your slice, or you go it alone….you must go through this process to fix it:
1. Setup to the ball to encourage a draw/hook.
2. Swing from the inside.
3. Contact the ball with a slightly closed clubface.
4. Have equipment that encourages a draw ball flight.
For a complete, proven step-by-step system to help you hit consistent draws in just 17 days go here:
