Correcting the Slice in Your Golf Game

With a background working on Wall Street, Geoffrey J. “Geoff” Block has operated various businesses in the financial sector. In addition to his work, Geoff Block enjoys playing various sports and improving his golf game.

For many golfers, a slice is a common problem in which the ball arcs away from the intended target instead of flying straight. For a right-handed player, a sliced ball will fly to the right, and for a left-handed player it will arc to the left. Equipment can make a big difference in correcting a slice. The most significant slices occur when driving off the tee, so finding a driver with the right amount of loft is important. Drivers with more loft, such as 10 to 11 degrees, will allow the player to keep the ball high enough in the air without opening their bodies and forcing the ball to shift to the side.

Another very important aspect of a straight ball is a good grip. Many golfers with a slice tend to use a weak grip, with the thumbs pointing straight down the handle of the club. The palms should be parallel to each other, with hands turned away from the target to allow the wrists to rotate and keep the ball straight down the fairway.