Are you a Serial Slicer?
Are You a Serial Slicer?
Hi, I’m Coach Erik Schjolberg from EJS Golf. Today, I want to talk about one of the most frustrating issues for many golfers: THE SLICE. Understanding why you slice the ball is the first step towards fixing it. Let’s dive deep into the world of slices and how to get rid of them for good.
What is a Slice?
A slice is a type of golf shot that curves either a little bit or dramatically from left to right for a right-handed golfer (or right to left for a left-handed golfer). It’s one of the most common mishits in golf, and it can be incredibly frustrating because it often results in a significant loss of distance and accuracy. When you slice the ball, it starts off straight, left or to the right of your target and then curves to the right. This can lead to ending up in undesirable spots like the rough, trees, or even out of bounds. The slice is a symptom of underlying swing issues that need to be addressed.
The Physics Behind a Slice: The D-Plane
To understand how to fix a slice, it’s essential to know what’s happening at the moment of impact. The ball’s flight is primarily influenced by the clubface angle and the club path. This is where the concept of the D-plane comes into play.
What is the D-Plane?
The D-plane is a three-dimensional model that describes the relationship between the clubface angle, the swing path, and the resulting ball flight. It was first introduced by physicist Theodore Jorgensen in his book The Physics of Golf and later popularized by TrackMan Golf. The D-plane helps us understand the starting direction, spin axis, and lift that the ball experiences due to the club's impact conditions.
Components of the D-Plane
Clubface Angle: The direction the clubface is pointing at the moment of impact. An open clubface (pointing right for a right-handed golfer) imparts sidespin on the ball, causing it to slice.
Club Path: The direction the clubhead is moving through impact. An outside-to-inside (over-the-top) club path exacerbates the sidespin, leading to a more pronounced slice.
Attack Angle: The vertical angle at which the clubhead strikes the ball, which can be descending, ascending, or level.
How the D-Plane Affects a Slice
A slice typically occurs when the clubface is open relative to the club path at impact. For instance, if your swing path is moving from outside-in (left to right for a right-handed golfer) and your clubface is open to that path, the ball will start left and curve right.
Club Path: Outside-in (moving left to right)
Clubface Angle: Open relative to the club path
Resulting Ball Flight: Starts left of the target and curves right (slice)
The D-plane helps us understand that the initial direction of the ball is influenced more by the clubface angle, while the curvature is influenced by the difference between the clubface angle and the club path.
Common Causes of a Slice
Several factors can lead to a slice. Here are some of the most common ones:
Grip Issues: A weak grip (where the golf club is gripped in the palm and not in the fingers) can cause the clubface to open at impact. A weaker grip just by itself does not mean a golfer will slice as you will learn.
Stance and Alignment: Incorrect alignment, such as aiming too far left (for right-handed golfers), can cause an over-the-top club path.
Swing Mechanics: Swinging too steeply or with an outside-to-in path is a primary cause of slicing.
Ball Position: Placing the ball too far forward in your stance can lead to an open clubface at impact.
Body Movement: Moving ahead of the ball with the upper body through impact.
Open Club Face: Open face to your club path is a reason the golf ball curves to the right
Arms Seperating from the body: This can lead to an open club face.
Psychological Factors
The mental game plays a significant role in golf. Anxiety, lack of confidence, and pressure can all contribute to poor swing mechanics that result in a slice. When you step up to the ball thinking about your last slice, you’re more likely to repeat the same mistake. To overcome these psychological barriers, focus on positive thoughts and visualize a successful shot. Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques to stay calm and confident during your swing. Learning how to breathe can change your game.
Fixing Your Slice
To fix a slice, you need to address the underlying causes. The first fix has to be the club face no matter what. I don't care if you have the worst over the top golf swing ever, fix the face so you hit dead pulls. Once you do that, the brain will want to see the ball start more right and start to self correct until eventually you are drawing the golf ball. Here are some practical steps you can take:
Check Your Grip: Ensure that the heel pad of your lead hand is on top of the grip. You should be able to see two to three knuckles on your left hand when looking down.
Adjust Your Stance: Align your feet, hips, and shoulders to the right of the target line. Avoid aiming too far left, which can promote an outside-to-in swing path.
Correct Your Swing Path: Focus on swinging from the inside out. Use drills that encourage an in-to-out swing path. Go to my YouTube page for tons of drills on fixing path.
Ball Position: Place the ball slightly back in your stance to promote you hitting the ball earlier in the circle.
For a more personalized approach, visit my website EJSGolf.com and book a lesson. Together, we can analyze your swing and develop a customized plan to fix your slice.
Drills
Read the story below about one of my students John to find out about some of the drills I use to correct slices. Also, check out my YouTube page where you will find tons of videos on correcting a slice forever. Don't be the golfer that plays their whole life with no control of their golf swing.
Conclusion
Understanding the slice is the first step towards fixing it. By addressing grip issues, stance, swing mechanics, and psychological factors, you can start hitting straighter shots. Remember, practice and persistence are key. Ready to fix your slice? Book a lesson with me today and start hitting straighter shots! Visit EJSGolf.com to schedule your session and access more golf tips.
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Student Goes from Banana Slice to Tight Draw: A Transformation Journey
Are you tired of watching your golf ball veer off to the right in a dreaded banana slice? You're not alone. Many golfers struggle with this common issue, but with the right plan and drills, it's possible to turn that slice into a tight draw and gain distance in your shots. In this post, we'll share a success story of how one of my students overcame the slice and unlocked a new level of performance on the course.
The Plan
My student, let's call him John, was an avid golfer who struggled with a persistent slice that robbed him of distance and accuracy. After an initial assessment, we developed a customized plan to correct his swing flaws. The plan included a series of drills designed to retrain his muscle memory and promote a more inside-to-out swing path, along with a square club face at impact.
Drill 1: The Alignment Stick Drill
We started with the alignment stick drill to give John a visual guide for the correct swing path. By placing two alignment sticks on the ground forming a gate just wider than his clubhead, John practiced swinging through the gate without touching the sticks. This drill helped him to visualize and feel the inside-to-out path necessary for a draw.
Drill 2: The Tee Drill
To help John correct his club face position, we used the tee drill. I had him place a tee in the ground at a 45-degree angle to the right of his target line. The goal was to hit the tee on his downswing, which encouraged a more closed club face at impact. This drill was crucial in helping him to stop slicing the ball.
Drill 3: The Half-Swing Drill
The half-swing drill was implemented to solidify John's new swing path and face position. By taking half-swings with a focus on keeping the clubface square and following through along the target line, John was able to gain a better sense of control and start seeing a draw shape to his shots.
Drill 4: The Driver Drill
Finally, we incorporated the driver drill to translate John's improvements with irons to his driver, a club that often exacerbates slicing due to its lower loft. John practiced hitting balls with his driver, ensuring he maintained the correct path and face position learned from the previous drills. This not only helped him stop slicing but also to gain distance with his driver. I added a tee to the right of the ball which John would try to clear but make sure he swung over to get the in to out path we wanted.
Results
After weeks of consistent practice and dedication to the drills, John's banana slice transformed into a tight draw. His shots gained distance as the side spin was replaced with a more efficient backspin, and his overall accuracy improved dramatically. The drills had not only corrected his technical issues but also boosted his confidence on the course. John's swing speed with his driver increased by 12 mph to 100mph within a month. This is not an inordinate amount of gain for students that come to me.
Conclusion
John's journey from a frustrating banana slice to a powerful tight draw is a testament to the effectiveness of a tailored plan and specific drills. By addressing the root causes of the slice and methodically working through the drills, any golfer can stop slicing and gain distance. Remember, consistency is key, and with the right guidance and practice, you too can enjoy the satisfaction of a well-struck draw on the golf course.
If you're ready to say goodbye to the slice and hello to longer, straighter shots, consider taking a lesson in person with Coach Erik in Scottsdale or if not in the area read more about his online lessons. With patience and perseverance, you'll be able to make the same transformation that John did and elevate your golf game to new heights.
