Fix Your Banana Slice

So you slice nearly every time you hit driver. What do you need to do to stop that?

Though what follows isn't a cure-all, it may help you during your next round. As always, you're encouraged to get expert, professional advice and lessons.

I'm willing to bet that the reason you slice is due to several issues but an outside-in swing path is probably the biggest problem. A bad set-up hurts you immediately because the angle of the club-face at impact is open - facing slightly right - or out. It's also possible your swing path is outside-in - a hacking motion that creates a slicing flight (not unlike a pool player adding English to his shot). Logic dictates that you have to make sure the club-face is square at impact. But how do you do it?

A Strong Set-Up

While addressing the ball, toe your club in slightly. Keeping your hands on the club, rotate both hands - as a unit - to the right (if you're a lefty, rotate them to the left). Not too much - just enough to get your right hand (left hand for lefties) in a more powerful placement. This makes a stronger grip. Your left arm (right arm for lefties) should be above your right arm (left arm for southpaws).


Create An Inside-Out Swing Path

Now drop your back foot back by 8-10 inches. So now instead of having both feet parallel to the ball and in line with your knees, waist and shoulders, your back foot is offset by almost a foot (no pun intended!). It's basically referred to as a "closed stance" in baseball (a righty should be set up to hit the ball over second base into right field vs a lefty who should feel as if he's hitting over shortstop and into left field).

Focus on the inside bottom of the ball - about 4:00 for righties and 8:00 for lefties. THAT's where you want the club to hit the ball.

Sweep the grass in your back swing as far as you can before the club naturally moves up - don't pick it up immediately - bring it straight back on a parallel line. Let your back elbow bend naturally into your side above your hip.Pause a second at the top and reverse your takeaway path down to the ball to strike it. Try and keep your back elbow close to your trailing hip/waist on the way down. As you hit the ball and proceed with your follow-through your lead arm will collapse and bend as your back arm straightens and turns over your front.

My guess is your ball will fly a lot straighter than your typical shot. What you've done is essentially created an inside-out path which is optimum for better ball flight. Toeing in the club has allowed the club-face to square up at impact - essential for straight shots.

As awkward as it feels to begin with, after a few shots it'll become apparent if adjustments are still needed to gain consistency in keeping your ball flying straight and true.

You may even begin to see a draw develop. While a draw is a more powerful shot than a slice, it can cause it's own problems. Just back off some of the radical moves as detailed above - move your back foot closer to parallel; rotate your hands slightly back to neutral; don't toe the club as much - and you'll see your ball flight start to straighten out.

Keep in mind this is a quick fix and at some point it will probably break down and possibly create more problems. As always, try it on the range before using it while playing.

And of course, always get LESSONS!

I'm just an average Joe golfer passing along information I've received over the years that has always helped me at some point and for some time. I still yell "FORE!" though.

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The Frustrating Slice Demystified!

A golf slice is probably the most frustrating fault you'll see on tee.

Swinging at the ball forcefully, with the aim to make it go 240, 250 yards or longer, only to see it curve into the rough is frustrating, to say the least.

So how to avoid slicing?

There is - your goal is to get a small draw instead - to hit the ball just a little bit to the left. Doing this will actually make your shots go further by up to 27 yards!

Here's how to make you stop slicing from tee:

Check that your set-up is perfect to begin with:

Ensure that you are parallel to the target line. Your back should be slightly tilted to the right. Also check that your hands are ahead of the ball, the opposite is a recipe for disaster! And look at how your grip is. It should be strong, without being tense. A soft grip will make your hands "flop" around themselves, and the release of your hands won't happen.

A simple tip: wear a wristwatch on the inside of your left wrist! On the follow - up the watch face should be visible.

This ensures your arms and hands "roll over" the correct way.

A couple of easy exercises can be helpful too.

Practise shots with your feet together - sounds funny, but the logic of it is that you simply have to release your hands, otherwise the ball will definitely go to the right.

Another easy drill - go swing on an uphill slope, where you stand below the ball. This makes your swing so the club head automatically comes inside out, giving you the draw you want.

If you consistently slice your shots, then the easiest way to start curving the ball the other way is to actively try to over correct by actually setting up your stance to the right, and then closing the club face to compensate.

Keep practicing this and you'll find you soon will stop slicing.

But remember this is a drill to change your brain and muscle memory, so your old habits get weakened!

Please don't do this in the future - you will be sorely disappointed if you do...

To change a golf swing is not easy, because it is a complicated maneuver and you can't do it right if you think too much about it!

It has to become automatic. To summarize:: check the points mentioned above, swing until it feels natural and then let go and enjoy the game.

Your swing will improve!

The author, Gustaf Eriksson, loves this wonderful and challenging game! That's why he has collected tips on how to stop slicing! It is a simple, easy and fast way to lower scores. You can also find many simple drills to improve your short game on my website, go check it out!

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