A good grip for a right-handed golfer involves being able to see the logo on your left-hand glove or, in other words, two to three knuckles. (Courtesy of Rebecca Seelig/pb-pr.com)

A three-step plan for curing your slice

By Kellie Stenzel, PGA,
Special Contributor

Are you tired of slicing yet? I know they say that a high percentage of golfers slice, but my students do not.

I strongly dislike a slice.

How frustrating to have even your best shots robbed of power and distance by having an open club face at impact?

Work on the following three check points to turn your slice into a powerful draw ...

1. Assure the proper golf grip

Your grip controls your club face at impact. If you want to hit your golf ball relatively straight, you really must have a good grip.

A good grip for a right-handed golfer involves being able to see the logo on your left-hand glove or, in other words, two to three knuckles. The more you turn your hands to the right, and yes I mean both, the less likely you are to slice. I do not mind going to extremes in order to accomplish the desired ball flight.

It is okay to see the finger nails of your right hand at address, as your right hand is more under the golf club. The more you turn your hands to the right at address, the easier it will be to allow the club face to release, where the toe of the club can pass the heel on the forward swing.

2. Allow your shoulders to coil on your backswing

When you make your backswing, your left underarm should swing across your chest in a lightly connected position. This will help you to keep your club face square to the path and also prompt your shoulders to turn.

Ideally, we are looking for your shoulders to turn back approximately 90 degrees. If you need to flair your right foot to compensate for a lack of flexibility, feel free to do so.

This shoulder rotation will allow the club to approach the golf ball from the proper path, promoting straighter ball flight.

3. Release

Release is a golf term that means you should allow the toe of the club to pass the heel on your forward swing. This allows the club face to square and then close.

Your right arm should be allowed to become level with your left arm and then eventually pass over top of the left, much like that of a baseball player.

I also do not mind this being over done in an effort to get rid of a slice.

To get rid of your slice, try the above tips and do not be afraid to over-do the corrections in the beginning. If your golf ball starts to hook, you can adjust from there.

A strong grip, good shoulder rotation and forearm release will help you to hit the ball more squarely and farther. And it is so much more fun to play good golf and hit the ball farther!

March 17, 2009

- Kellie Stenzel, PGA, has been named by Golf Magazine as one of the Top 100 Teachers in America, and has been a Golf For Women Top 50 teacher since 1999. She has published three books: "The Women's Guide to Golf: A Handbook for Beginners," "The Women's Guide to Consistent Golf," and "The Women's Guide to Lower Scores." She is also rated by Golf Digest as one of the top teachers in New York.