Never sliced before, now almost 100% of the time

[ScottL]

Iv been playing golf about 2 years, about 1 year consistently. Over the past year I have done alot to try and improve my game. I have taken lessons, bought new equipment, been fitted, etc..

I now go to the range about 1-2 times a week, and if Im lucky play 1 time a week. So Im starting to get a more consistent swing. Seldomly do the totally horrible mishits, tops, fat duffs, etc.

Here is my problem though. Forever, when I missed I would hook the ball. Now all a sudden (literally the past month or two) I have a slice on all my long clubs, specifically my driver.

I thought, well maybe since I hit wedges and scoring irons good, Im just swinging too hard on long clubs. but thats not really the case, I specially tried slowing down last night on range, no success.

I tried changing my feed, grip, ball more forward, back, etc... everything I could think of just to make a change and nothing worked... went right almost every single time. its not really a HUGE banana that would go OB all the time, but would always go right.

any ideas or tips/drills to try and straighten out my shot? Im getting happy with my contact lately, I can even live with my distances... I just wanna hit it straighter (dont we all?)

[ScottL]

one thing I thought of, but not sure it really true. But my irons all have stiff shafts and I was fitted for them. They are about 1/2" shorter and also lightweight. The shaft in my driver is regular flex and standard weight/length...

I thought maybe this could have something to do with it. My hybrids are stock shafts also, but they are stiff. Just not any lighter/shorter... I hit those right also.

6 iron and down Im overall happy with, not much of a slice at all. but these are the ones with the true temper dynalite shafts I have custom fit.

[sdped1]

Some times you just have to slow down your swing and do 3/4 or even half shots to get the swing back on so your getting back on the inside path or to get your rythem and tempo back. I know it hard to do at the range as you want to hit em hard when you have paid for a bucket of balls but you just have to do it or find a place you can hit 50-100 yard shots with your lower irons.- Steve

[plugged]

I was slicing my shots a lot recently and then realized I had somehow lowered my lead shoulder on my setup to the point that both shoulders were almost level. This is a very basic part of the golf swing, but I was focusing on so many other things that I forgot this one completely. When I started emphasizing (almost overemphasizing) a higher lead shoulder at address, that helped solve my slice, at least on my irons and fairway woods (driver still needs help).

One other thing to watch out for the "chicken wing" on your back elbow. If that is sticking out like a sore thumb, your swing will tend to come from the outside.

[Adumb]

I started out the same way before I developed a slice and a hook. I used to hit long irons a lot because I didn't know how to get distance with my body. I would take a short backswing and not move my legs at all. Everything went right down the pipe. But actually learning the correct swing will help in the long run. Later I was able to hit a 3 wood 260 yards rather than 150-170 yards. Keep working at it. When you go to the driving range make it an experiment. Don't just try to go and hit a bunch of balls. Actually try to make one adjustment at a time and take 5-10 swings or so and see if you can do it consistently. After that, your practice won't be about finding the swing, but about practicing your swing.

[squaddie]

Get your swing analyzed on video - you may have developed and out-to-in swing on the longer clubs. My out-to-in problem was due to starting my swing with my shoulders rather than my lower body.