I slice horribly on the course. I don't know what to do!

[Rynofskie]

First the backstory......I used to play golf in high school. Not very well mind you, my best score ever was an 82 at a mediocre course. Anyways, after high school I never played again. I just picked golf up again this year. I do really, well at the driving range, solid contact, long straight drives (sometimes draw) 300+ yards without even swinging hard (I'm 6'2" 289lbs.). But on the course I can barely hit the ball to save my life. I skull it constantly, and off the tee I can never get the balll in play. I slice probably 95% of my tee shots OB. I lost 35 balls on a course on Sunday. It was embarrassing. I couldn't even finish the last 3 holes becuase I didn't have any balls left. I need help, and nobody can tell me anything. I can't afford lessons, and every time I get someone to help me at the range their like "Dude, you don't need help from me" because I hit great at the range. I'm totally lost.....

Ryan S.

[sonicblue]

The course and range are different, but they don't have to be. You don't need me to tell you that it's all in your head. Whether you're nervous to take a divot in the grass, anxious to look up and see where your ball is, or multiple other things. The only general advice I'll give you is, IMO, where all these horrendous shots come from, is extraneous motion. Lifting your head, swaying in your stance, going way high/outside->in with your hands.....that all comes from too many moving parts. Relax, try to keep all your body parts 'connected' and moving as one balanced, athletic, coordinated unit. Forget the notions of distance and pinpoint accuracy. Aim for large, safe areas and take each shot one at a time.

[cbe_golfer]

One reason I can think of is that you are probably not going after a target on the range and think that all your range drives are good. Picking out specific targets on the range can help you work the ball in there. I normally allow for about 30 yards width either side of my target while deciding if my drives at the range are good or not. Good luck!.

[Big Lex]

Can't afford lessons? If you pay to play and hit range balls, couldn't you spend some of that money on lessons for a while? It's three dozen golf balls probably cost about the same as a lesson...

For slicing, one thing that has worked for me is trying to hit a hook. Maybe this sounds stupid and simplistic, but if you have a basic understanding of drawing and fading the ball--closed v. open club face, swing path, etc.--go on the range and try to hook 10 straight balls. Try to hit hooks/draws on the course.

Another thing that will sometimes help slicing is that often tension in the arms and hands leads to a restriction in the rotation of the club during the swing, leading to the open face. Sometimes trying to swing very loosely and "wildly" with the arms and hands will cure a slice.

But the real answer is to see a pro, and get something legit to work on from them.

[slackhouse]

I slice horribly on the course. I don't know what to do!

that makes two of us.

[janzaruk]

Don't know if this is relavent at all, but I screwed up my swing about four years ago at the range hitting off of those darn mats!!!!! They will encourage bad swing mechanics. i doubt this is all of your problem, but it might be some of it. Do you hit off of grass or mats?

More than likely, you are getting anxious when playing and doing many of the things sonicblue mentioned. Just try and relax. It easier said than done, i know, but skipping a couple days at the range and getting a lesson would be very helpful. Even just one or two to give you some ideas to work on.

[Rynofskie]

I hit off grass only....

[finalrequiem]

Well, you should let me take a look at your swing. I am as good a teacher as most pro's out there, in fact, I've had some of the best players in the state tell me so. The reason my HCP is so high, by the way, is because I spend so much time teaching that I can't work on my own game very much but I drive the ball over 300 yards every time and I can put it wherever I want. I never 3 putt and I rarely 2 putt. I can hit just about every shot there is and like I said, I am better than scratch, I just don't get to play much.

[gbk56]

Play more on the course. As stated in other posts, you are probably getting anxious on the course and are causing tension in your grip and swing causing you to do things you usually do not do which is causing your slice.

I think if you play more on the course you will get more comfirtable out there and then swing like you do on the range. Also, at the range you can take several swings with the same club on a perfect lie until you get your swing grooved. When you play on the course you only get one swing with an imperfect lie.

Also, on the range you should have a particular target in mind with a width of 30 yards at the max. If you do not hit it within the 30 yards and the selected distance, you did not make a good shot.

Here in Korea the ranges are only about 20 yards wide due to space constraints. If you do not hit the ball within this 20 yard width your ball simply hits a side net. You have no idea how far or where your ball would have gone. This has really helped with my accuracy. Unfortunately the fairways are so narrow here I have to be very accurate.

[TheGolfer]

If you dip your back shoulder it can lead to chunked shots and slices. Think about keeping your shoulder back.

[finalrequiem]

Dadgum it! Nobody took the flame bait?! Where is everyone at? You guys are usually quick to jump the 300+ yard drivers-perfect wedge shot-1 putters! Man, the TC is my best friend and I was trying to get a rise out of somebody to show him that this isn't the place for bullsh!tters but you guys are too temperate and long-suffering for me. Jeez, Iacas didn't even show up!

[Rynofskie]

Dadgum it! Nobody took the flame bait?! Where is everyone at? You guys are usually quick to jump the 300+ yard drivers-perfect wedge shot-1 putters! Man, the TC is my best friend and I was trying to get a rise out of somebody to show him that this isn't the place for bullsh!tters but you guys are too temperate and long-suffering for me. Jeez, Iacas didn't even show up!

Hahaa......It's okay dude, I already read all of GITrDONE's posts. I kinda get the picture. Besides, I think it's like that on all the other forums too.

[lamebums]

I slice horribly on the course. I don't know what to do!

I'm going to say you're either coming across the ball or opening the club face at impact.

If you're coming across the ball (outside in), try this drill to fix that. Put two tees in the ground, one where you'd normally tee it up, and then another about six inches in front of that. Try to hit both tees. It'll force you to extend properly and avoid coming to the inside too early. If your club face is open at impact, there could be several problems, but the easiest way to fix it is change your grip. If you're pushing a lot of shots to the right move your left hand slightly to the right. The club will look closed off at address but if everything else holds in place it will come back to square at impact.