5 Tips To Stop Golf Ball Going Right Problems in [2024!]
Golf balls going right (Also called a slice) is frustrating and mostly happens to beginners. This can happen due to an out-to-in swing path, open clubface, Sidespin, lower body slide, and bad alignment.
You can follow the following tips to get rid of the slice:
- Modify your grip.
- Practice shifting your weight.
- Emphasize your release.
In this article, I’ll address common causes of this issue and offer practical solutions to regain control of your shots and enhance your game.
Why Is my Golf Ball Going Right?
When you hit a golf ball to the right, it is often termed either a “fade” or a “slice” if you’re a right-handed golfer. A fade is when the ball curves a bit to the right, and a slice is when it curves strongly to the right.
A slice in golf is a shot that, instead of flying straight as an arrow toward your target, takes an abrupt rightward turn (for right-handed golfers).
Slice happens when the clubface is open to the swing path at impact, creating a sidespin that sends the ball spinning to the right of the target. Here is why my golf ball curves right and how to stop it.
1. Out-to-in swing path
This is when your clubhead approaches the ball from outside the target line and moves further to the outside after impact. Instead of a nice, straight path down the fairway, your club approaches the ball from the outside and swings across the target line. You can also call this “coming over the top.”
Tips on How to Stop It
- Position your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line. This will help promote a more neutral swing path.
- Rotate your hands slightly to the right (for right-handed golfers) on the grip to strengthen it.
- Practice initiating the downswing with your lower body, specifically your hips and legs.
- Incorporate drills that promote an inside-out swing path. One popular drill is the “gate drill,” where you place two tees on the ground.
- Improve by swinging inside-to-out toward the target line, ensuring the club approaches and follows through along the same path for straighter shots.
2. Open Clubface
An open clubface is when your club’s face points to the right of the target line (for right-handed golfers). When the clubface is open, it’ll make the club have more loft, and this should make the ball fly higher compared to what the club usually does.
Moreover, when you open a clubface, it highlights the club’s bounce, causing a club with a bounce to rise from the ground or sand instead of digging into it.
Tips on How to Stop It
- Check your club face at the address to ensure it is not open.
- Adjust your grip to promote a square clubface at impact.
- Focus on keeping the club face square during the takeaway.
- Practice drills to develop muscle memory for a square clubface at impact.
- Focus on releasing your right hand correctly.
Advice
- If you tend to push the ball, consider moving it a bit forward in your stance.
3. Sidespin
Sidespin will make your golf ball spin from right to left in the air and on the ground. If you add side spin instead of backspin, the ball goes the wrong way right after hitting the clubface. If you have a slice problem, you’re giving the ball a left-to-right spin, making it veer off course quickly.
How to Fix
- Improve your grip and alignment.
- Focus on swinging the club directly toward the target, irrespective of a slightly open or closed clubface at impact.
- Use a golf ball that has reduced driver spin, like Vice Drive and Titleist AVX, if you have difficulty with sidespin.
Advise
Use a tripod or ask a friend to help you record your golf swing from a “down-the-line” perspective. Stand directly behind the ball, align the camera down the target line, and watch the video for valuable swing path insights.
4. Lower Body Slide
Sliding your lower body makes the golf ball go right because it creates a swing path that goes from outside to inside. When you slide, your weight shifts toward the target, and your hips move forward, potentially causing your upper body to lean backward.
All of this can result in an out-to-in swing path, and that’s what makes the ball go right.
How to Fix
- Work on stabilizing your lower body during your swing. Focus on maintaining a solid foundation and avoid excessive lateral movement, especially during the downswing.
- Keep your weight centered and avoid shifting excessively to one side.
- Focus on maintaining stability in your lower body.
- Engage your core muscles to help stabilize your body.
- Practice proper weight transfer from your back foot to your front foot during the downswing.
Tip
- Utilize a towel under your feet to avoid sliding during the swing.
5. Bad Alignment
When you’re not aligned correctly, your swing gets all wobbly and makes some of your muscles work harder than others. This makes your swing go from the outside to the inside, and that can send the ball to the right.
Also, if your club face is not well positioned, when it hits the ball, you’ll likely miss the target. Sometimes, as much as 15 yards or even more.
How to Fix
- Ensure your body is correctly aligned. Position your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line.
- Make use of alignment tools to enhance your alignment skills.
Universal Advice How To Fix a Golf Slice With Driver
If you’re struggling with a slice off the tee, you can fix it with a driver in just a few minutes. Here are some tips to fix the issue:
- Avoid rolling the wrists and instead focus on snapping the back of the lead hand towards the ground to turn the face down.
- Practice a preset setup with hips forward to experience the desired swing path.
- Avoid violent acceleration of the club and maintain a shallow, sweeping motion similar to skipping a rock across the water.
- Focus on consistent clubface control for better accuracy and avoid slowing down the handle or excessively turning it to the left.
FAQ about Golf Ball Going Right
Here are questions people also asked on how do I stop my golf ball from going right, and their answers
What is it called when you hit right in golf?
A shank happens when the golfer strikes the club’s hosel, causing the ball to go right. In contrast, a block is a right-handed golfer’s shot veering straight to the right.
What is a hook in golf?
In golf, a hook is when the ball goes sharply from right to left for right-handed players and from left to right for left-handers.
What is the difference between backspin and sidespin?
Backspin makes the golf ball spin backward, helping it rise in the air and stop on the greens. Sidespin, on the other hand, makes the ball curve sideways while in the air.