Why You’re Still Slicing Your Driver
If you’re like most golfers, you’ve probably been told that your slice is down to swinging out-to-in. You might have spent hours trying to fix your swing path, only to find that the slice persists. The truth is, it’s not your path that’s the main culprit – it’s your club face at impact.
When the club face is open at impact, pointing right of your target, the ball starts right and curves even further right if your swing path is also out-to-in. Even if you manage to get your path more neutral, an open face will still send the ball slicing away. The root cause for most slicers is that the club face is far too open by the time you reach the ball.
The Real Cause: Open Club Face in the Takeaway
From years of coaching, I see so many golfers obsess over getting the club ‘on the inside’ during the takeaway. In the process, they end up rolling the club behind them and opening the face early, putting excessive shape into the lead wrist. This sets the club face wide open, and from there, you’ve got little hope of squaring it up in time.
Your brain will try to fix an open face by hanging back or coming across the ball, which only exaggerates the slice. The solution? Get the club face in a better position right from the start.
How to Fix the Takeaway
Here’s the simple feel I want you to focus on: as you start your takeaway, pay attention to your lead wrist (left wrist for right-handed golfers). Most slicers allow this wrist to cup and open the face. Instead, as you take the club back, just let your wrist move from its address position back to its natural hanging position – without adding any extra angle or shape.
Have a look in a mirror face-on: if you take the club away and your lead hand is pointing skyward, that’s too much wrist angle. Reset, take the shape out, and notice how the club face sits in a much more neutral position. This one move does not require any complicated mechanics. Simply rehearse the feeling by taking the shape out of your lead wrist as you start the swing.
What Happens When You Get it Right
When you fix the club face in the takeaway, several things improve immediately:
- The club face is far less open at the top
- The downswing becomes shallower and less steep
- Your path often shifts naturally from out-to-in to more from the inside
- The ball flies straighter, carries further and rolls out more
Even on mishits, you’ll see tighter dispersion and more energy transferred into the ball. Many golfers are amazed to see not just the slice disappear but also a significant increase in distance – all from a simple change in the takeaway.
Practice Tips for Lasting Results
Start by rehearsing this new feel with slower swings. Quality of movement is more important than speed at first. Once you’re consistently hitting straighter shots with a closed or neutral face, gradually add speed until you’re swinging at full pace while maintaining that wrist position.
If you’ve spent years cutting across the ball, you’ve probably been losing both accuracy and distance. With this fix, you’ll deliver the club more efficiently, giving you straighter and longer drives without needing to overhaul your entire swing.
Make Your Practice Count
It really can be this simple. Focus on that lead wrist during the takeaway, take the shape out, and stick to the routine. This little change could be the key to unlocking your best driving yet.
If you want a more in-depth step-by-step approach or personal feedback, I offer tailored online lessons via Skillest. It’s a fantastic way to get direct coaching and support from me, wherever you are.
Watch the Full YouTube Video for More Detail
Want to see the takeaway fix in action? Watch the full lesson and get extra insights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPeqNCK5i-k
