Why

Question
I am a 15 year old freshman pretty small 5''2 100 pounds. I have been playing
golf consistently for 2 years ( only 7 months a year cause of weather). I have
not got a consistent handicap yet. Though I am not a real big hitter about
220 yard drives when I get it straight. But lately I have got a big slice on by
drive and on nothing else. I am a solid wood hitter, iron, short game, and
have no troubles with straightness except my driver. I have no idea, anyway
do you have any idea why I cant hit this straight and any ideas on what might
cause, or could it be my club, anyway I would do anything to add yards and
change my slice, so any ideas help, my game would be greatly better if I
could add some yards and keep my driver straight.

Answer
Hey Robby:
No problem.  Two things to check.  First, have a Clubfitting Professional in your area check to see if the shaft in your driver is too stiff.  If it is, the clubface cannot get square at impact, and if the face is open, you slice it.  Second, let's understand what a slice is and then tell you how to fix it.  The first thing about a slice is the CLUBFACE IS OPEN AT IMPACT.  That means the clubface is pointing to the right some, so the clubface is at an angle when it makes contact with the ball, imparting left to right spin on the ball which makes it curve way off line to the right.  Because the driver is the club in your bag with the least amount of loft, it also is the one that will produce the most spin on mis hits.  So if your clubface is open a bit on say a 9 iron, the ball will only go a little to the right, it won't curve very much.  The reason is the 9 iron has a lot of loft.  So it produces more backspin than sidespin.  But a driver is just the opposite.  Not much loft equals lots of sidespin IF THE CLUBFACE IS NOT SQUARE.  Next, check your grip and make sure you know how to square the clubface up at impact.  If you hit the other clubs pretty straight, I will assume you know how to use your hands correctly to square the clubface up.  So for a while, practice closing the clubface through the impact area to produce right to left spin on the ball and watch it hook.  Learning to use your hands correctly to better control the clubface is so important, but it all starts with a good, sound, fundamental grip.  If you need help, get some good instruction from a PGA Professional in your area.  So get your club checked to see if the shaft is correct for you, then check your grip and learn how to rotate the clubface square into the back of the ball to stop that left to right sidespin.  Go to work, and let me know how you are coming along.  Good luck Robby.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member