How to Fix Your Driver Slice
At ATX Golf Performance, we work with athletes across all skill levels, and one of the most common issues we see—especially with mid- to high-handicap golfers—is the dreaded slice. If you’re searching for how to fix a slice with your driver, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s one of the most-searched golf terms online, and for good reason: it’s both frustrating and fixable.
In this guide, we’ll break down the biomechanics and motor patterns that contribute to slicing and provide a performance-driven, research-backed approach to eliminate the slice from your game.
Why Most Golfers Slice the Driver
The slice is a result of two primary swing faults:
An open clubface at impact
An out-to-in (over-the-top) swing path
This combination sends the ball curving weakly to the right for right-handed golfers. According to a study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences (Hume et al., 2005), golfers who lack proper wrist and forearm coordination are more likely to produce an open face relative to their swing path. It’s a movement error that can be retrained.
Step 1: Strengthen Your Grip
Start by checking your grip. A weak grip (lead hand too far underneath) promotes an open clubface. Instead, aim to see 2–3 knuckles on your lead hand at address.
A stronger grip increases your ability to rotate the clubface closed at impact.
Research on wrist kinematics (Sprigings & Neal, 2000) shows a strong grip correlates with more effective lead wrist extension control during the downswing.
ATX Golf Performance Tip: Practice gripping the club in front of a mirror and rehearse takeaway positions to lock in muscle memory.
Step 2: Fix Your Setup and Ball Position
An excessively forward ball position can exaggerate a leftward (pulling) path, especially with the driver.
Position the ball on the inside of your lead heel.
Ensure your shoulders and feet are square to the target line.
Open alignment often causes a subconscious compensation that reinforces the over-the-top motion.
Step 3: Train an Inside-Out Swing Path
A slice is usually a product of swinging across the ball. Training your body to deliver the club from the inside takes conscious effort:
Drill: Glove Under Trail Arm Drill
Place a glove under your trail armpit
Take slow-motion swings without dropping the glove
This promotes better connection and sequencing between torso and arms
A study by Zheng et al. (2008) showed that sequencing the hips before the shoulders in transition was a defining trait of low-handicap players. Proper sequence leads to a shallower, more inside path.
ATX Golf Performance Note: We use real-time video and motion capture to help our clients see and feel their optimal sequence.
Step 4: Square the Clubface at Impact
Even with a perfect path, an open face will still cause a slice. Clubface control is primarily influenced by wrist angles:
Lead wrist should be flat or slightly flexed at the top of the backswing
Avoid excessive lead wrist extension (“cupping”), which opens the face
Drill: Motorcycle Drill
Rehearse rotating the knuckles down through impact as if revving a motorcycle
Promotes proper shaft lean and squaring of the face
Bonus: Commit to the Shot
Mental rehearsal and confidence can’t be overstated. Research in The Sport Psychologist journal (Beilock & Carr, 2001) shows that mental overprocessing disrupts fluid motion, especially in high-pressure situations.
Create a walk-in routine that includes visualization and breathing
Approach the ball with a clear decision and full commitment
Book a Lesson in Austin, TX
If you’re looking for golf instruction in Austin, Texas, and want a personalized assessment of your swing, ATX Golf Performance offers biomechanically grounded coaching that blends motion capture, sports psychology, and motor learning science.
Contact us today to schedule your swing evaluation and stop slicing your driver for good.
Sources:
Hume, P.A., Keogh, J.W.L., & Reid, D. (2005). The Role of Biomechanics in Maximizing Distance and Accuracy of Golf Shots. Journal of Sports Sciences.
Sprigings, E.J., & Neal, R.J. (2000). An Insight into the Importance of Wrist Torque in Golf. Sports Biomechanics.
Zheng, N., Barrentine, S.W., Fleisig, G.S., & Andrews, J.R. (2008). Kinematic Analysis of Swing in Professional Golfers. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine.
Beilock, S.L., & Carr, T.H. (2001). On the Fragility of Skilled Performance: What Governs Choking Under Pressure? The Sport Psychologist.