how to stop slicing your driver

Sometimes it can feel like your golf ball has a mind of its own. And there’s nothing more frustrating than stepping up to the tee with all the confidence in the world, only to slice your drive way off target. Slicing your driver doesn’t just ruin your accuracy, it robs you of valuable yardage, too.

Unfortunately, the dreaded slice is one of the most common problems for golfers. A slice occurs when the ball curves dramatically to the right (for right-handed golfers) or to the left (for left-handed golfers). Instead of a straight shot, the ball takes on a banana-like curve, veering off course and often landing in the rough or worse, out of bounds.

To learn how to stop slicing your driver, you must first learn what causes a slice. The primary culprits are an open clubface at impact and an outside-in swing path. When your clubface is open, it points to the right of your target at the moment of contact. Combine this with a swing path that cuts across the ball from outside the target line to inside, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a slice.

Other factors like a weak grip, poor stance, and insufficient hip rotation can also contribute to slicing. But the good news is that with a few simple adjustments and some targeted drills, you can transform that slice into a powerful, straight drive.

Here’s how to stop slicing your driver.

How to Stop Slicing Your Driver

1. Check Your Grip

Your grip is one of the most critical factors in controlling the direction of your shots. A weak grip (where your hands are rotated too far to the left on the club for right-handers) can cause the clubface to remain open at impact, leading to a slice.

What to do:

  • For right-handed golfers, rotate your left hand slightly to the right so you can see two or three knuckles when looking down.
  • Your right hand should sit more underneath the club, creating a “V” shape between your thumb and index finger that points toward your right shoulder.

Take practice swings with an exaggerated strong grip (where your hands are turned even more to the right) to get a feel for closing the clubface. As you swing, pay close attention to how your hands and wrists rotate naturally through impact, helping the clubface square up. After a few swings, return to a more neutral grip while maintaining that same sensation of closing the clubface through the ball. The first few swings might feel awkward, but with practice, you’ll become more comfortable and start to develop the muscle memory needed to naturally square the clubface at impact.

2. Adjust Your Stance

An improper stance can also contribute to slicing. If you’re aligned too far to the left (for right-handers), it increases the likelihood of an outside-in swing path, which is a common cause of slices.

What to do:

  • Make sure your feet, hips, and shoulders are all aligned parallel to your target line.
  • Your ball position should be just inside your left heel, not too far forward or back in your stance.

In an effort to correct your stance, you can place a club or alignment stick on the ground along your target line and another one parallel to it in line with your toes. This visual aid will help ensure your stance is square to the target. You can also take practice swings with a closed stance, where your right foot (for right-handers) is positioned slightly behind your left. This closed stance naturally encourages a more inside-out swing path.

3. Focus on Your Swing Path

Most slices occur because of an outside-in swing path, where the clubhead approaches the ball from outside the target line, cutting across it. This motion, often referred to as ‘coming over the top,’ not only opens the clubface at impact but also imparts side spin on the ball, causing it to curve sharply off course. 

What to do:

  • Work on swinging the club from the inside out, which encourages a draw or straight shot.
  • On your downswing, try to feel as if you’re swinging the club toward the right of your target (for right-handers).

The “Gate Drill” is excellent for correcting your swing path. Place two tees in the ground just outside the toe and heel of your driver, creating a “gate.” Practice swinging through this gate without touching the tees, which will train you to bring the club from the inside.

4. Square the Clubface at Impact

Even with the correct grip and swing path, an open clubface at impact can still cause the ball to slice.

What to do:

  • As you approach impact, focus on rotating your forearms and hands to square the clubface.
  • Imagine the clubface as a door closing shut – this is the motion you want as you make contact with the ball.

An impact bag is an excellent training aid for improving clubface control. While its primary benefit is helping you square the clubface at impact, it also offers the added advantage of enhancing your sense of lag – a key factor for solid iron shots, though less critical with your driver. If you struggle with early extension, practicing with an impact bag can help you maintain wrist hinge and deliver more powerful, crisp strikes with your irons.

5. Increase Your Hip Turn

A lack of hip rotation can lead to over-reliance on your arms and hands, causing an outside-in swing path and an open clubface. Proper hip turn promotes a more inside-out swing path and better control of the clubface.

What to do:

  • On the backswing, allow your hips to turn naturally, but avoid over-rotating.
  • On the downswing, initiate the movement by turning your hips toward the target. This action should feel smooth and natural, not forced.

Practice your swing without a club, focusing only on your hip rotation. Place a chair or alignment stick near your right hip (for right-handers) and make sure it lightly touches the object as you rotate, ensuring you’re not swaying.

Learning how to stop slicing your driver is all about making small adjustments and practicing consistently. By focusing on your grip, stance, swing path, clubface, and hip turn, you can dramatically reduce or even eliminate your slice. Remember, the key is to practice these steps and drills regularly. Over time, you’ll see your drives become straighter, longer, and much more accurate.

Megan Williams

Meet Megan Williams, a wordsmith with a passion for golf, travel, and the epic combination of the two! Originally from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the Golf Capital of the World, Megan has played golf since she was a child, eventually playing competitively in college. She's since swapped her golf clubs for the keyboard and skillfully translates her on-course experiences into captivating narratives and insightful stories. When she's not crafting engaging content, you can catch her enjoying the company of her energetic golden retriever or trying new culinary delights around Tampa, Florida - her current stomping grounds. Join Megan on her literary journey as she explores golf courses and resorts worldwide, shares travel knowledge and shipping tips, covers industry news, and more - all exclusively on the Ship Sticks blog.