Yet another question on the Slice...

[Hacker805]

First off, hello everybody.  I'm pretty much a newbie to golf.  Played here and there but just started taking it a bit more seriously as of late.  On to my question...  I can't seem to hit anything strait.  Haha.  I feel like with my irons I need to align my stance to the left of my target constantly.  If I align myself with my target everything is off to the right.  Either a total slice or I feel like I can't get the club through the ball and push everything to the right.  I even noticed that on the sole of my irons all the little super-fine scratch marks suggest that the club face is open as it contacts the ground.  I know it's tough with out seeing my swing, but is this a stance issue or a swing issue?  What do I need to focus on so I can align myself with my target and hit the damn ball strait?  I'm just looking for a few basic concepts to focus on.  I will be taking a lesson soon and am hoping that it will help some.  Thanks!

[awmgolfer]

What is the starting direction? Does it start straight and then slice, start left then slice, or start right and then slice?

http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/ball_flight_laws

Check out the link above, should help you understand the reason for the slice.

Also, if you turn to the left and keep the face pointing still at the target it is going to make it much worse. I would suggest posting a video because it could be a number of things but the core reason is your club face is open to your swing path.

[Hacker805]

With irona the ball starts strait the fades right.  With my driver it starts strait then slices heavily right.  The last time at the range there was a pretty stiff wind lowing from left to right at about 15mph.  While I know it's not the total reason for it, I'm sure it had an effect.  Not sure how much.  With my 7-iron it starts at the flag then lands 20 yards right at about 170 yards.

I know I must be swinging outside-in because my divots all go outside-in.  I will try to post a video.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by Hacker805

With irona the ball starts strait the fades right.  With my driver it starts strait then slices heavily right.

I know I must be swinging outside-in because my divots all go outside-in.  I will try to post a video.

Definitely sounds like the face is open relative to the path, that being an out to in path with the face open to the path.  If the swing is out to in, and the face is open to the swing path, yet facing the target, then the ball will start towards the target (85% of the initial starting direction of the ball is influenced by the face angle/direction) then due to the clockwise spin imparted at impact, will curve right.  It is more pronounced with the driver due to the more upright face (less loft).

From our own Zeph, see #6:

(For a larger image, click the image.  Then, right click, select "View Image".  Then click on the image to zoom in.)