Embracing the slice

[Moxley]

Been struggling a lot of the tee this year , because my woods, hybrids and drivers all have a tendency to hook. Sometimes I try and hold off the finish and just block it to the right, but then I get a tiny bit of slice doing so and then it's out to the right instead. 

I had an epiphany earlier this week though - when the hole permits, why not just hit a deliberate slice? Let's face it, everybody can hit a slice , and despite it's lack of length it has 2 things going for it :

a) It usually goes high, which often takes trees out of the equation

b) it's easy to get solid , reliable contact 

Tried playing this on holes where I have a fairway to the left seperated by trees, but no tall trees for ~100 yds, I aim (my stance) into the next fairway, and it usually comes back finishing in the correct fairway or rough. Doesn't go as far as my draw, but the upside is I don't feel the need to hold back. 

A real hackers way to play, I spent a long time trying to get rid of a slice, but doing so on purpose has resulted in a couple of great rounds. Funny old game.

 

[sofingaw]

My problem with aiming to compensate for a big miss is that I’ll aim ‘properly’ for the miss, but then either double cross myself and hit the opposite miss, or hit a ‘good one’ that goes dead straight where I was aiming (away from the fairway or green). 

In short: It almost never works. At least for me.

I’m currently working on getting manageable and predictable misses from as neutral and straight a setup as I can, and of course, improving my swing as much as possible. 

Best of luck to you!

[alleztom]

Because by that logic why not just bunt a putter? or hit a pitch? Length is meaningful.

[Patch]

Positive consistency is important in golf. If one can control a slice, then why not. I wouldn't recommend it, but if that's what the golfer has, then use it. 

Best to turn that slice into a fade at the very least. 

[GolfLug]

@Moxley, nothing wrong with gaming a miss if it is manageable. I would add is there is a limit to how much curve you can live with above which it just becomes unusable. 

Since you are an 18 HCPer and we do not have any idea of what your swing looks like, the only thing I can suggest is a very general statement - to reduce curve, reduce effort in swinging the club. You will have a less curving ball flight. Again a very general statement so do with it what you will.  

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Edited May 9, 2018 by GolfLug

[Valleygolfer]

Mostly because a sliced driver travels shorter than a decent hit 3 wood. Slicing kills distance. If you are slicing no matter what, you may as well play it to land in the fairway though. Now if you are hitting a slight fade, that is a different story. 

[RussUK]

Managed to rid myself of the slice by changing my swing. Now have a steep to shallow swing. Bad miss is a low hook but generally pretty straight to slight fade with long clubs. There is a solution out there for everyone when it comes to the slice. Just need a bit of patience in finding the one for you.

[klineka]

On 5/7/2018 at 5:30 AM, Moxley said:

when the hole permits, why not just hit a deliberate slice? 

Because you'll score lower when you hit it further and straighter. Simple as that.

Your slice might only go 200 yards where a decent fade drive with the same swing speed would go 240. 

On a 400 yd par 4, that's the difference between hitting a hybrid into the green and a 7 iron.

[p1n9183]

Like u my normal driver in the past was a high slice starting on the left rough or trees and turning rigth to the middle of the fairway. Yes, trees on the left side weren´t a problem on open courses, but in narrow ones sometimes you cannot play for a slice because of trees left close to the tee box. 
Besides that I was loosing 30 yards against my normal draw with driver, more accurate but way to short. I practiced my draw and now i´m as accurate with both swings, but 30 yards longer with the draw. 

Something interest about this is that i take out my 3Wood from the bag and added another wedge.
From the deck i always hit Hybrid, never 3 wood, and if i need to hit a 3 wood from the tee i just hit a high slice with the driver for the same distance. It´s a win win!

[Moxley]

Probably should have made clearer that my biggest problem with driver is a hook - slice is only an issue because I'd try so hard to avoid a hook and/or aim right. 

On 5/9/2018 at 1:39 PM, klineka said:

Because you'll score lower when you hit it further and straighter. Simple as that.

Your slice might only go 200 yards where a decent fade drive with the same swing speed would go 240. 

On a 400 yd par 4, that's the difference between hitting a hybrid into the green and a 7 iron.

I think as a general rule, you are indeed correct. 

For me personally, I've had such misery with the driver of late that coming a little over the top and swiping the ball is the only thing that has given me a reliable shot in play. My short game is (relatively speaking) strong, so I'm actually OK losing a bit of distance from the tee because I make up shots around the green. 

That said, I agree that playing a reliable fade or fixing my draw from over-drawing is a better long term solution. Got a lesson booked for that 🙂 

 

[mcanadiens]

A buddy of mine has fully embraced his slice.  Dude's 55-years old and been playing the same 150-yard slice (The Stevie Slice) on the same par-3 course for 30 years. It really is extremely predictable and he's happier than a clam with it, 

It does mean that we will probably never play anywhere other than his par-3 course.