Fixing a Fade / Slice

[HotBite]

I don't know what I am doing wrong!

I didn't play at all last year, but before that, I hit my drives straight, or with a slight draw.

Now I am uncomfortable over the ball with a driver in my hands, my takeaway is shaky at best and my ball flight is either -

A. Topped
B. Slice
C. Fade
D. (Best case scenario, about 1 in 5) Straight, but about 4 feet off the ground.

Any tips?! I have 2 rounds for skins this weekend (not big money) but I'd like to do well...this is where I'm going to lose out if I do not get it fixed.

[klaymon]

Man, sounds exactly like me with the exception of the draw. I used to be able to hit straight now I slice or top the ball and leave a divot about 3 inches in front of the tee.

[HotBite]

Oh and I forgot to mention I use a Cleveland Launcher 400 with a Stiff shaft.

[barrycuda]

ever considered not even using a driver and a 3wood instead?.
i had a round of 78gross yesterday (makes handicap of 6.5 on this course) without the use of a driver.

if i use a driver i tend to overswing with it. its the biggest club so i must think it needs the biggest swing which then gives errors :) but because of its flat face the driver will be least forgiving from all your clubs.

too hard to diagnose a slice without video, but if your like 95% of every other slicer then you swing club on the outside-in path.

i often watch others on the course and when they 'top' a golf shot then the main reason is because they have bad 'weight shift', their weight is still on the back foot when they make contact with the ball, with woods it results in topping, with irons fat shots also.

it is also paramount that you dont turn your head too soon after contact with the ball. you should still be looking at the spot where the ball was when your right arm is already pointing straight down the line (90degrees past impact). if you turn your head left too soon, the rest of your upper body follows your head which then opens up your shoulders too soon making you slice.

[Shindig]

When my drives start to have problems during a round, I consider the first instance happenstance and the second one a coincidence. I figure if it ever gets to a third, I'll put the driver down for the round. I've yet to have 3 big slices in a round (tiny cut doesn't bother me).

But you aren't during a round right now ; you're after or before. So you can go to the range. But don't just go and bang away with the driver.

Assuming you have a grass range:
* Take your 7-iron and driver.
* Hit a few shots with your 7-iron, teed or not. Just your usual 7-iron shot.
* Tee up a ball to normal driver tee height.
* Try to hit a few driver shots 75 yards.
* Try to hit a few driver shots 7-iron distance.
* Try to hit a few driver shots 4-iron distance.

I bet that, if you do this up to here, your driver's going back to its normal distance and relatively straight.

[HotBite]

Wow thanks for all the feedback guys! I'll try that shindig, and if need be I can switch to my 3-wood, but I like being able to hit my driver (We do long drive and it's also kind of a pet peave of mine when I am "forced" to use a 3-wood because I cannot control my driver.) I'll try that ladder-type drill on the range tomorrow, and yes I have a grass range.

The small cuts don't bother me as much as the big slices (obviously) it is just odd to me that I now have a fade and always used to hit a slight draw.

I really concentrate on coming from more of the inside (This causes me to be square) most of the time.

[tm22721]

Two days ago I hit my usual banana slice into the lake. Then I remembered my son pointing out Ochoa's funny head twist in her downswing at the Kingsmill tournament. What would I have to lose ?

The change was dramatic and consistent. Not only did it get rid of my usual slice but I striped the fairways and 15 yards longer to boot. Needless to say I have adopted the head twist although I am not sure why it works it just does.

[HotBite]

Two days ago I hit a banana slice into the lake. Then I remembered my son pointing out Ochoa's funny head twist on her downswing at the Kingsmill tournament. What do I have to lose ?

I have no idea what you are talking about...to be honest

[golf_junkie27]

I don't know what I am doing wrong!

This sounds like you are coming over the top. Here is a drill you may want to try:

Take four tees. Tee one up with the ball. Take another tee and put it to the right (a couple of inches) and about an inch in front of the tee with ball. Take another tee and put it to the left of the tee with the ball (again, a couple of inches) about an inch further than the tee with the ball. It should look like a gateway. Now, take the fourth tee and lay it on the ground. The top of the tee should be pointing to you and the point should be pointing to the teed ball. This is creating an inside/out swing path, releasing the club towards right field. The most important thing is not to hit the tees on each side of the teed ball. Two things should happen if done correctly. You will eliminate your slice/fade and begin to draw the ball.

[mikelaw]

As silly as this may sound, try opening the club face at address prior to takeaway. It will look weird at first but the results have been tremendous for me.

[Socrates]

This sounds like you are coming over the top. Here is a drill you may want to try:

Can you explain what you mean, where are youlaying the 4th tee?

[InTheTwenties]

Don't have any advice for you because my slice is thicker than a slice of pizza from "ORIGINAL FAMOUS RAY'S PIZZA". The one with the box that reads "YOU'VE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST".

.
HOWEVER, I would venture to say that I'm leaving the driver, the 3 wood and 4 and 5 iron home this next outing. My score should get better (cross fingers).

[scjohnny21]

I've got a wicked slice (really right push) that rears it's ugly head every now and then. Three things that have worked for me...wider stance, emphasizing right to left weight shift on the downswing, and a slightly stronger grip (rotating left hand so you can see two/three knuckles).

Good luck.

[OrlandoGolfBlogger]

This sounds like you are coming over the top. Here is a drill you may want to try:

I'm interested in this, can you post up a visual diagram? I think I have an idea of what your describing, but a picture is worth a thousand words :)

[golf_junkie27]

Can you explain what you mean, where are youlaying the 4th tee?

The fourth tee is on the ground, flat. The head of the tee is pointing towards you while the point is pointing towards the ball.

[golf_junkie27]

I'm interested in this, can you post up a visual diagram? I think I have an idea of what your describing, but a picture is worth a thousand words :)

Dave, I don't have a photo I got the drill from: Golf Instruction 2008 Annual Page 22 Hope this helps.

[glebert]

All the other tips are good, here's maybe one more thing to check. I have had intermittent slice problems, it was kind of driving me nuts they seemed to come out of nowhere. I basically eliminated all the usual suspects (that others have discussed already), and still couldn't get consistent. I've been working on Hogan's fundamentals lately, and remembered the part where he warned about the right thumb and index finger (the 'pincer' fingers) causing havoc. I moved the tip of my right thumb 1/4 of an inch to the right, right up against my index knuckle (where he said it should be). Just came back from the range and was drawing absolutely everything. I could even weaken my grip and get a soft fade.