Cure your sliceSo here’s the great paradox in golf: Imbedded in the cure of its most primordial problem (getting the ball airborne) is the virus that causes the slice (an open clubface). Accomplish the one and you’re automatically infected by the other. Now, the second great paradox: You’re aware of all this, but nonetheless can’t stop slicing. The reason why the slice is such a pesky foe is that there are three unique kinds of slices (plus their offspring), and the generic cures offered in most instruction articles don’t work because they’re written for “The Slice,” not the slice you have at a particular moment. 1 The Flare The Flare starts in the general direction of the target, then spins to the right, which moves it off-target just enough to give you problems. 2 The Boomerang The Boomerang starts to the left of the target, then sweeps across the target with a wicked curve, often finishing to the right of the target. In left-to-right crosswinds, it covers more territory than Lewis and Clark. 3 The Right-To-Right The Right-To-Right starts to the right of the target and then inexorably moves more to the right until it disappears from sight. Of all the slices, this one can leave the playing field the quickest. Vicious Cycle The fact that you can hit several different types of slices during a single round is rooted in the Vicious Slice Cycle. Usually, alignment mistakes result in compensations in the swing, which then give rise to a new set of errors. This cycle of bad fixes usually turns Right-To-Rights into Boomerangs, Boomerangs into Flares, and Flares into Right-To-Rights. The Vicious Slice Cycle Not only are there three kinds of slices, but you can produce all three during the same round. Moreover, trying to cure one type of slice usually creates another type. Via your own intervention, you keep reinfecting yourself. To break this cycle, you must be able to identify the three types, know which one you currently have and know how to apply the specific antidote. The following slice progression is telescoped into a few swings, but it can actually take thousands of balls to develop. Since 90 percent of new golfers aim to the right, 90 percent of new golfers are forced to overspin the shoulders to pull the ball back to the target. Aim far enough to the right and the shoulders spin so violently that the clubface becomes trapped behind the body, causing it to remain open at impact. Thus, the ball shoots to the right of the target, then cuts even farther right—the Mini Right-To-Right. If the shoulders spin faster, the Mini turns into an Adult Right-To-Right with even worse consequences. With the ball flying so far right, you adjust by opening your stance and aiming to the left of the target. Now, the ball starts way left and slices back toward the target—the Baby Boomer. Aiming more to the left to accommodate your Baby Boomer works until, in an effort to hit it too hard with the right side, you actually square the clubface to the path with an aggressive over-the-top move of the shoulders. The result is a pull way left of target. (In the family of slices, the pull is the first cousin to the slice.) To correct the pull, you introduce a chicken-winged left arm to open the face at impact. This results in an even bigger slice that finishes to the right of the target (the Adult Boomer). To fix this, you aim (open up) even more left and employ more chicken wing. This causes the mother of all Boomerangs, the Sonic Boomer, a ball that starts way left and exits right, melting your scores as it nestles somewhere near Topeka. Sick of this score-wrecker, you listen to the advice of your playing buddies that you’re aiming way left, so you aim in the general direction of the target, but still employ your old friend the chicken wing. Aided by the open face at impact, the ball starts in the general direction of the target and then spins to the right—welcome to the Flare. Hit enough Flares and you’ll subconsciously open your stance to start it more left, causing a reintroduction of the Baby Boomer. And so the cycle goes. I’ve seen thousands of golfers endure this endless loop of faux fixes and slice progressions. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. We’re about to embark on a Slice Eradication Program (S.E.P.) that I’m sure will help you get your ball flying more toward your targets. The S.E.P. involves: 1) recognizing that there’s more than one way to slice a golf ball; 2) identifying what slice you’re currently producing (see above); 3) learning the key anti-slice matchups; and finally, 4) grooving a no-slice swing. Anti-Slice Matchups Before we attack ways to correct the type of slice with which you’re currently infected, it’s important to become aware of six Anti-Slice Matchups. These matchups are key to removing damaging sidespin from your ballflight regardless of the type of slice you typically produce. They’re the hallmarks of a consistently straight shot pattern. Target And Clubface Aim your clubface correctly so it’s pointing where you want the ball to start. Select an intermediate target, then use the vertical aiming lines that are a part of every club to get your clubface pointed in the right direction. Body And Target Line Arrange your body correctly, paying particular attention to your shoulders. In the swing, the arms follow the shoulders; if your shoulders are too open or closed at address, you’ll cut across the ball at impact. Spine Angle And Shoulder Tilt Since the shoulders work perpendicularly to the spine, how your spine is angled at address holds the key to what kind of slicer you are. If your spine is too upright, your shoulders will swing on too level a plane, trapping the club behind you so you have to come over the top and produce the Boomerang or, if you exaggerate enough, the Right-To-Right. If your posture is too bent over, the club will swing on too steep a plane, often causing the Flare. Ball Position and Shoulder Position A ball that’s played too far forward causes the shoulders to open; too far back creates closed shoulders. Use the ball position that will allow you to align your shoulders parallel left to your target line—it will vary according to your body build. Grip And Clubface Position The positioning of the hands on the grip must allow for either a flat or slightly bowed left wrist—stay away from the slice-causing cupped wrist. A neutral grip typically creates a flat left wrist (square face), a strong grip augments a bowed left wrist (shut face) and a weak grip too often creates a cupped left wrist (open face). Foot Flare And Release The front foot should be adjusted by experimenting with less flare. The amount of flare of the front foot controls the release of the clubface—the less flare, the sooner the front leg straightens, causing an earlier release by squaring the face more aggressively.
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