Tom Watson’s grip technique and three more key tips to fix your golf slice

Instruction
Slice

The slice is among the most common technical flaws in golf games of players of all levels.

There are usually multiple factors contributing to a bad slice, and they present themselves most often off the tee.

The full-blooded swing with your heaviest driver can be a surprisingly technical examination of your technique.

Here, we look at four things you can do to rectify a slice.

Check your weight distribution

Slicers tend to be guilty of putting too much weight into their toes on their backswing, but the problem can also be overcorrected with much the same result.

An easy drill to check your weight distribution makes use of an alignment stick, which can be anything from a small wooden rod to an old club.

Centering your feet over the alignment stick during your swing will make you aware of where your weight is shifting to during your swing.

Good weight distribution is key to making the most of the energy being put into your swing.

It’s important to remember to turn with your hips, not just your waist, to allow for a smoother swing.

Square that clubface

In a classic case of easier said than done, getting the club face square at contact with the ball is key.

Usually, these problems have their origin in the backswing and present in poor wrist position as the club comes back down.

At the top of your backswing, your lead hand should be facing the ground.

It is recommended that you slow your swing right down and focus on making sure that the club face meets the ball at a 90-degree angle. Repetition is key.

Adjust your grip

The strength and position of your grip are at the heart of making good contact with the ball and can be a source of slice problems.

Slicers are often players who grip the club in a way that feels comfortable for them, and it can be a challenge to correct without discomfort.

A common grip error is when players grip the club in the palm of their hand rather than with their fingers.

Hold the golf club out in front of you so the shaft is vertical, perpendicular to the ground. Tilt the club head away from your body about 45 degrees.

Position your lead hand on the club handle at an angle. You want the handle to pass across your hand from the base of the pinky to the middle knuckle of your index finger. Set up the rest of your grip for comfort and control.

You want to feel your fingers gripping the handle.

Get your stance correct

Your stance is the key to setting up your upper body to be in position to get a clean strike of the ball.

There is a temptation to try to correct a slice by opening up the stance excessively, which ironically makes the slice even worse in most cases.

Set up your swing with the ball further forward in your stance to give yourself the best chance of presenting the club face. Your stance should always be set up with flexed knees and start with feet shoulder-width apart and then widen the stance a little, depending on the club. Avoid leaning towards the target in setup. You should feel that your upper body is leaning back ever so slightly.

Film yourself setting up to ensure that your feeling of where you are isn’t slightly off and to make sure you aren’t habitually leaning forward in your setup.

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