Fix Your Golf Swing - Cure That Golf Slice

How to cure that golf slice

One of the most common flaws in the golf game of the weekend golfer is a sliced drive. You go through your pre-swing routine, step up to the teed-up ball, and begin what you think is a good golf swing. At impact your balls sails into the air and curves to the right. Even if it lands on the fairway it tends to roll to the right. What's going on? How can I fix my golf swing?

What causes the ball to slice?

The swing path of the clubface at impact cuts across the ball from outside the target line -- imparting a clockwise spin on the ball. Forces at work on the ball as it moves through the air include the forward force of impact with the clubface, the aerodynamics of drag, gravity, density of air, and the aerodynamics of a spinning golf ball with a strong counterclockwise spin.

Why does a spinning golf ball follow a curving trajectory?

• Think about an airplane in flight, Air flows faster over top of the wing than it does across the bottom, The Bernoulli principle says that lift results when the velocity of the air increases, the air pressure decreases causing lift. It's the same with a spinning golf ball.
• As the ball spins to the right (counterclockwise) the air velocity on the right side of the ball is greater than on the left; and a lift force on the right side of the ball pulls the ball into its slice.
• In a hook, it is just the opposite. The ball spins to the left (clockwise) causing a lift force on the left side of the ball that pulls the ball into a hook,
• Topspin and backspin work in a similar fashion. In backspin, the lift force is applied to the top of the ball causing an upward force that results in longer ball flight, In topspin, the result is the opposite -- the lift force is applied to the bottom of the ball pulling it downward resulting in a shorter ball flight,

Tips to cure that golf slice

Instead of the clubface cutting across the ball in a plane from outside the target line, the plane of the swing should be changed to align with the target line, Several changes in your swing can help achieve a straighter swing and cure that slice:

• Move your right foot back a couple of inches. This will result in a slightly closed stance and better alignment at the moment of impact.
• Step back an inch or so from the ball. This will flatten your backswing a bit, further reducing the tendency to cut across the ball from outside the target line.
• Make sure that when you begin your downswing, you begin the rotation with your hips following with your shoulders and shift your weight to your left foot (for right-handed golfers). Don't let the clubface get ahead of your hands.

Before you walk to the first tee, do pre-game golf warm-up stretches. Allow some time at the driving range to fine tune your new slice-resistant golf swing.

Use online instructional assistance to cure that slice

A team of professional golf instructors offers top-notch golf instructional resources to help you. Articles, instructional materials, DVDs, drills and more are available to assist you in every part of your golf game. If you follow their advice -- and practice! -- you will fix your golf swing.

Cure that slice and make golf fun!