We lately caught up with PGA professional Eddie Hammond on repair a slice and straighten up your golf recreation.
Right here’s what he needed to say…
The best way to repair a slice
For me, one of many major causes
golfers slice a ball is right down to visible misconceptions—typically referred to as parallax.
As we deal with the ball, we stand to
the aspect wanting throughout on the goal which causes a shift of the physique
alignment to the place we understand the goal to be. This adjustment in alignment
causes an over-the-top ‘pulling’ motion into affect.
The extra a right-hander swings left to cease the ball from slicing proper, the extra seemingly it’s that the clubface can be open to the trail, which causes a slice. This clubface normally appears like a powerless glancing blow or aspect swipe.
Why is the slice so widespread?
Clearly, poor approach is the
underlying explanation for a slice, however you might additionally put it right down to poor
understanding of what makes the golf ball go the place it goes.
In some ways, golf could be a recreation of opposites. For instance, if you wish to curve the ball from proper to left, you want to swing the membership extra proper of the goal. And it’s very arduous, once you’ve simply seen the final half a dozen photographs slice to the proper, to then try and swing the membership in that very same route.
The best way to repair a slice: what must you test?
Begin along with your set-up place, as
there are a number of elements earlier than the membership even strikes that may set you up for a
slice. A few of the causes we slice the ball embody:
Physique alignment not being parallel to the clubfaceA weak grip with palms rotated too far in the direction of the targetBall place too far ahead within the stancePoor postureToo a lot weight within the heels
My finest recommendation for fixing any swing issues is to go to your native PGA Skilled, who’ll be capable to information you within the appropriate approach.
The best way to repair a slice: issues to attempt
Strive these when repair a slice.
1. For anybody with expertise of enjoying different sports activities, there’s very often a transferrable talent that can be utilized.
Whether or not it’s throwing a rugby ball,
enjoying a top-spin forehand, or recreating a well-known David Beckham free-kick
into the highest left nook, there’s normally one thing.
My favorite is the free-kick. Without any consideration-hander, think about the membership shaft as your proper leg and the heel/toe of the clubhead as your foot. Take into consideration what angle you’ll strategy the ball from and the way you’ll transfer your foot by means of the ball to impart the required spin.
2. If in case you have a follow space the place you’re in a position to hit photographs with the ball above your ft, attempt hitting some and spot the added feeling of rotation in your arms all through the swing, particularly simply previous to and after affect.
Take into consideration what should occur for the only real of the clubhead to match the angle of the bottom, making a stable contact. After a couple of photographs, it is best to hopefully begin to see the ball flight straighten up and probably even transfer with just a little draw form. After you’ve hit a couple of, transfer on to a extra impartial space of floor and try and recreate the identical. Some driving ranges could have specifically designed mats which can be sloped to create completely different lies comparable to ball above and under ft.
3. The split-grip drill will assist you really feel rotation within the swing, too. With a 7-iron, preserve your high hand the place it’s and slide your decrease hand to the underside of the grip. From right here, make some swings again and thru, noticing how your lead arm folds on the best way by means of. You also needs to really feel how the grip finish slows down by means of affect, and the proper arm rotates over the left and hinges again up into the end.
4. Maintain the membership out in entrance of you, stage on the horizon with the clubhead stage along with your chin. From right here, make swings round your physique, protecting the clubhead stage with the horizon, and search for any adjustments.
For example, has the clubhead dropped within the backswing? Most slicers will discover that when the clubhead returns to the beginning, it’s coming from above the horizon, swinging throughout and downwards. Strive repeating the train and have the clubhead journey extra upwards from low to excessive by means of affect. Discover the sentiments you’re creating—probably a extra folded path arm as you strategy affect or extra rotation within the arms by means of affect. See in case you can hit some photographs from a standard deal with place whereas sustaining these new feels.
What different elements must you think about when understanding repair a slice?
For anyone who performs golf from the alternative aspect to their dominant arm, it’s value noting that the lead arm being the stronger arm can overpower the downswing and pull each arms out in entrance of the physique, inflicting a really outside-in path by means of affect.
We hear loads concerning the seek for a straight lead arm. Sure, a straight lead arm can add width and energy to a swing, however it could additionally add pressure. This added pressure and stiffness within the lead elbow can delay the squaring of the clubface and depart it open by means of affect.
About Eddie Hammond
Eddie is the Head Assistant Skilled at Moortown Golf Membership in West Yorkshire. He’s initially from Sheffield and moved to Moortown in 2005, qualifying as a PGA Skilled in 2010. Eddie can be a Titleist ambassador.
Now you’ve received loads of meals for thought on the subject of fixing your slice, you’ll be capable to good your recreation very quickly. Nevertheless, you may additionally need to think about defending your self and your tools with specialist golf insurance coverage earlier than your subsequent spherical.
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