Curing your slice can lead to greater distance and accuracy off the tee. (Michael Zito/Eclipse Sportswire)

Curing that slice is just a few practice drills away

By Les Miller,
Contributor

With today's oversized drivers, it's easier to hit long drives - and easier to hit that big slice off the tee. Not only will sliced drives miss the fairway, they also rob you of distance. Try these tips, and I know you will cure your slice forever:

First, a sliced shot is caused by two major factors: Either the player has an open stance (aiming to the left of the target for right handed golfers), or the clubface is open at impact.

To fix these problems, start by addressing the ball with a closed stance (right foot slightly behind the left for right-handed golfers). From this position, make sure your feet, hips and shoulders are aiming slightly to the right of the target. Take a slightly stronger grip than normal.

To do this, turn both hands toward your right shoulder. This will encourage your hands to have an aggressive release and turn over through the impact area.

When you want the ball to go left, you move both hands on the grip to the right. This grip gives the hands more freedom to release and the arms the ability to rotate as they pass the center of your body.

To get the feel of the hands releasing, try this drill: Hold the club at waist level and swing as though you were hitting a baseball. Feel as though you want to pull the ball into left field. This motion should let you feel the clubface turning over through impact.

By swinging above the ball, you're swinging on a shallower plane, which speeds up the hands allowing them to release.

Remember, the more you open your stand, the more you will cut across the ball causing your slice to increase. To cure a slice, aim right, turn your grip to the right and feel like you are releasing the hands over through the impact area.

February 10, 2009

Les Miller was a longtime Golf Writers of America member who covered golf instruction for several newspapers and golf publications. His many years of experience as a golf professional, director of product development and tour relations for several major golf companies gave him a unique background and ability to help golfers increase their enjoyment of the game.