What causes a golf slice?

Simply put, you did not hit the ball with a squared club face or you used an outside-inside swing path. The slice is caused by hitting across the ball, causing a clockwise rotation of the ball. This spin causes the ball to fly right. Therefore, a hook is caused by the opposite effect of the above.

A squared club face?

Think of your target line at setup. Squared is when your club face is square to the target line. You must get your club face back to this position at impact to cure a golf slice caused by the open club face.

An outside-Inside swing path?

Often referred to as an "over the top" swing. Your target line extends from your target through the ball to a point about 4 feet behind the ball. If your downswing starts from outside the target line, you will compensate by bringing it back in to hit the ball. This will cause the clockwise spin on the ball at impact. You must hit on a straight target line to fix your golf slice.

Why is a golf slice so hard to cure?

A golf swing happens so quick, that often it is hard for untrained eye to see what is occurring to cause the golf slice. In the time that it takes to complete a full golf swing there are countless moves that your body must remember to complete a good swing. There is only one part of your body quicker than the golf swing. That is your brain. If you repetitively repeat the steps needed to cure your golf slice, you will train your brain to naturally put your body through the motions. The less motions to learn, the easier the cure.

Don't make you swing complicated. If you get a chance, watch the machine they use to test golf clubs.The machine uses simple motions and hammers the ball. It was designed to hit with power of an average golfer. If that simple swing works for the machine then a simple swing will work for you.

Remember to swing straight down the target line and keep your club face square. Once I adopted a compact simple swing and quit trying to over complicate my swing, my golf slice was cured. Golf can be as easy or hard as you make it.

Good luck! I hope all your shots are long and straight.


Article References:

"The Simple School of Golf" - The Good Life
"Symple Golf System" - Symple Golf