Golf - How to Stop Slicing In a Few Easy Steps
Any golfer will know the feeling as they address the ball, take a smooth back swing, bring the club down with maximum power and send the ball careering on a course that they imagine will see the ball landing squarely in the middle of the fairway about 300 Yds away........ But then, just as the power fades away from the shot, the ball takes a gradual sedate arc to the right, landing in the deep rough or bunker exactly where you did not want it. This is what it is commonly known as a 'Slice Shot','Slicing the ball' or an 'Open Club face' shot.
What a lot of golfers don't understand though, is just exactly what slicing the ball involves and how you can correct for it to prevent it from ruining your game.
When you slice the ball whilst taking a stroke, you are doing exactly that. The club face is starting to open or is open when it hits the ball and 'slices' the ball as it leaves the club face. The ideal situation is to have the club face square to the ball on impact and any deviation from this will put an unwanted angular spin on the ball. As the initial power of the shot starts to wane, the spin takes precedence and starts to 'steer' the ball either left or right.
So, now we know a little about what a 'Slice' is, how can we prevent it happening? Well, just follow these few simple tips that will show you how to eradicate it from your game, leaving you those perfect shots off the tee that you have dreamt about.
1) A lot of the problems can stem from your grip. Take a close look at your grip and make sure that it is firm and not too far to the left. A 'weak position' is one where the hands are placed on the club too far to the left leaving the club face open. A simple way to make sure you keep your hands to the right more, is to strengthen your grip whilst ensuring that your left hand thumb is positioned just right of center. Simply follow the angle of your left hand with you right hand to get the ideal grip. Now, try experimenting with different positions to see how your shot is affected. A great way to experiment is to keep moving your hand to the right until you start to notice that your are hooking your shot. Then, move your hands back left for the next shot. This will eventually guide you to where your sweet spot is to prevent the slice.
2) Now you have mastered the positioning for your hands, it is essential to get the grip strength correct. Holding the club too tightly will seriously affect the natural rotation of the club when it connects with the ball. Make sure that you remain loose in your shoulders, arms, wrists and hands to give the club freedom to move. Be careful not to have the club fly out of your hands though!
3) Try and flatten your swing plane. You may be approaching the ball at too much of a vertical plane. This can often happen if your clubs are not suited to your height so check that out first. You need to ensure that your swing is approaching the ball at a shallower angle. This provides a natural squaring of the club face which facilitates the correct flight path for the ball.
So, if you want to erradicate that slice shot once and for all, follow the above tips and you will on your way to a great shot everytime.
What a lot of golfers don't understand though, is just exactly what slicing the ball involves and how you can correct for it to prevent it from ruining your game.
When you slice the ball whilst taking a stroke, you are doing exactly that. The club face is starting to open or is open when it hits the ball and 'slices' the ball as it leaves the club face. The ideal situation is to have the club face square to the ball on impact and any deviation from this will put an unwanted angular spin on the ball. As the initial power of the shot starts to wane, the spin takes precedence and starts to 'steer' the ball either left or right.
So, now we know a little about what a 'Slice' is, how can we prevent it happening? Well, just follow these few simple tips that will show you how to eradicate it from your game, leaving you those perfect shots off the tee that you have dreamt about.
1) A lot of the problems can stem from your grip. Take a close look at your grip and make sure that it is firm and not too far to the left. A 'weak position' is one where the hands are placed on the club too far to the left leaving the club face open. A simple way to make sure you keep your hands to the right more, is to strengthen your grip whilst ensuring that your left hand thumb is positioned just right of center. Simply follow the angle of your left hand with you right hand to get the ideal grip. Now, try experimenting with different positions to see how your shot is affected. A great way to experiment is to keep moving your hand to the right until you start to notice that your are hooking your shot. Then, move your hands back left for the next shot. This will eventually guide you to where your sweet spot is to prevent the slice.
2) Now you have mastered the positioning for your hands, it is essential to get the grip strength correct. Holding the club too tightly will seriously affect the natural rotation of the club when it connects with the ball. Make sure that you remain loose in your shoulders, arms, wrists and hands to give the club freedom to move. Be careful not to have the club fly out of your hands though!
3) Try and flatten your swing plane. You may be approaching the ball at too much of a vertical plane. This can often happen if your clubs are not suited to your height so check that out first. You need to ensure that your swing is approaching the ball at a shallower angle. This provides a natural squaring of the club face which facilitates the correct flight path for the ball.
So, if you want to erradicate that slice shot once and for all, follow the above tips and you will on your way to a great shot everytime.
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