Slicing with Driver

[Foreplay]

With all my clubs, woods & irons, I tend to hit the ball fairly straight, but with my driver 7 out of 10 I hit a massive slice, my woods & irons are all the same shaft (fairly stiff) but my driver is a more flexible shaft, could this be my problem?

 

[PJ87]

With all my clubs, woods & irons, I tend to hit the ball fairly straight, but with my driver 7 out of 10 I hit a massive slice, my woods & irons are all the same shaft (fairly stiff) but my driver is a more flexible shaft, could this be my problem?

without seeing your swing I doubt anyone would be able to help

best thing to do is go have a driver lesson

I wont tell you what pro did for me because it might not fit your swing but I have gone from slicing to a slight fade or a slight draw depending on connection

rather than on another fairway im now on mine

that was with 1 lesson

 

[Bazz]

I've got the same issue, Had numerous lessons and just can't do it. Started taking a 3 wood.

 

[bobmac]

With all my clubs, woods & irons, I tend to hit the ball fairly straight, but with my driver 7 out of 10 I hit a massive slice, my woods & irons are all the same shaft (fairly stiff) but my driver is a more flexible shaft, could this be my problem?

Does the ball start left, right or straight before it heads off into the distance ?

 

[Foreplay]

Does the ball start left, right or straight before it heads off into the distance ?

Straight

 

[bobmac]

Do you hit the driver quite hard?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

For what it's worth, when I slice it is because I either cut across the ball or, more likely, my arms are through before my body. Two of many options of course. Good luck.

 

[Neilds]

I used to slice the driver all the time(still do occasionally) and it is down to trying to whack the ball into next week. When I just swing instead of trying to hit the ball it goes straight- but beware of being too lazy
ok, it means I will never hit forum distance but would rather be 220 yards straight than 270 in the cabbage

 

[Foreplay]

Do you hit the driver quite hard?

I would say I have a 3/4 swing, not a particularly fast swing but yes I suppose I hit the ball hard

 

[Three]

I would say I have a 3/4 swing, not a particularly fast swing but yes I suppose I hit the ball hard

As you should. You're trying to hit the ball as far as possible with the driver.

Your driver face is open, hence the ball is slicing. There's a high chance of that your swinging out-to-in, it's common that you won't notice that with the other clubs as the extra loft gives a different spin axis so it won't slice (or maybe will just have a small fade).

Get a lesson to sort out the swing path. Additionally you might need a slight tweak to your grip, possibly a softer shaft and/ or a bit more loft /setting change on the driver.

 

[PJ87]

As you should. You're trying to hit the ball as far as possible with the driver.

Your driver face is open, hence the ball is slicing. There's a high chance of that your swinging out-to-in, it's common that you won't notice that with the other clubs as the extra loft gives a different spin axis so it won't slice (or maybe will just have a small fade).

Get a lesson to sort out the swing path. Additionally you might need a slight tweak to your grip, possibly a softer shaft and/ or a bit more loft /setting change on the driver.

Club face opening is weird. My guy gets me to open my face to the path at set up but close it throughout the swing

Feels so weird opening and trying to hit it down the right side of the course

But results speak for themselves I either get the draw he wants or I start it left and fade it back which as long as it ends up at target I'm happy

 

[Three]

Club face opening is weird. My guy gets me to open my face to the path at set up but close it throughout the swing

Making what maybe feels like big, weird exaggerations is exactly what's needed sometimes.
It's all relative to what you're doing originally.
I don't think golfers generally work enough on playing around with the clubface position when they practice, trying to hit at different targets with the same swing etc

 

[Foxholer]

...
Your driver face is open compared to the path on which the clubhead is travelling, hence the ball is slicing. It's almost certain you are swinging out-to-in,....

Get a lesson to sort out the swing path. Additionally you might need a slight tweak to your grip, possibly a softer shaft and/ or a bit more loft /setting change on the driver.

Bold bits indicate amendments/additions to reflect 'New Ball flight Laws' (or maybe just clarify face angle vs path description)!

Club face opening is weird. My guy gets me to open my face to the path at set up but close it throughout the swing

Feels so weird opening and trying to hit it down the right side of the course

But results speak for themselves I either get the draw he wants or I start it left and fade it back which as long as it ends up at target I'm happy

I believe that 'remedy' is a 'fool/frighten the brain' type one - and quite effective!

I've seen guys turn a slicey fade on the first hole into a horrendous slice by the third - as they keep aiming further left to 'allow for' the shape, but their brain 'forces' them into a bigger and bigger difference between path and face angle! It's surprising how often using that 'compensation mindset' actually overcomes the problem - by aiming down the right and frightening the brain into adjusting differently! Of course, it can also go horribly wrong, in a number of ways, too!!

 

[Three]

Bold bits indicate amendments/additions to reflect 'New Ball flight Laws' (or maybe just clarify face angle vs path description)!

Don't be a twot.
What I wrote was completely understandable.

 

[PJ87]

Bold bits indicate amendments/additions to reflect 'New Ball flight Laws' (or maybe just clarify face angle vs path description)!



I believe that 'remedy' is a 'fool/frighten the brain' type one - and quite effective!

I've seen guys turn a slicey fade on the first hole into a horrendous slice by the third - as they keep aiming further left to 'allow for' the shape, but their brain 'forces' them into a bigger and bigger difference between path and face angle! It's surprising how often using that 'compensation mindset' actually overcomes the problem - by aiming down the right and frightening the brain into adjusting differently! Of course, it can also go horribly wrong, in a number of ways, too!!

I played with a guy this week who aims about 2 fairways over to hit ours.. hits it about 220 but he would be a 270 driver if he worked on his swing rather than using the slice

until I had this lesson I would aim right to try and trick my brain and either hit a lovely shot or go horrible right

now I just aim straight

 

[Foxholer]

Don't be a twot.
What I wrote was completely understandable.

But easily misinterpret-able!

...Driver Face is Open... But compared to what? Target? Or Path? It's essential that the correct 'line of reference' is stated, otherwise 'corrective' action is likely to be wrong and cause a different 'bad result' - a straight pull for example if the clubface is simply closed so that it is square to the out-to-in swing!

Or are you (still) using 'old ball flight laws'?

 

[Three]

But easily misinterpret-able!

...Driver Face is Open... But compared to what? Target? Or Path? It's essential that the correct 'line of reference' is stated, otherwise 'corrective' action is likely to be wrong and cause a different 'bad result' - a straight pull for example if the clubface is simply closed so that it is square to the out-to-in swing!

Or are you (still) using 'old ball flight laws'?

Congratulations.
You've caught up with the "new" into that was unveiled in 1968. Happy to lend you the book 😉.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Search-Perfect-Swing-Alastair-Cochran/dp/1572437294

 

[Foxholer]

...
until I had this lesson I would aim right to try and trick my brain and either hit a lovely shot or go horrible right
...

That's the one! And the other miss is to continue to hit the slice!! Fore Right!!

 

[PJ87]

That's the one! And the other miss is to continue to hit the slice!! Fore Right!!

Now I'm driving better I expect my handicap to fall because I've been scoring 30 ish points each round this season.. despite very poor driving so I been scrambling well

I mean one hole drive 40 yards into trees.. 7 iron out to fairway

Approach just short.. chip next to hole and 1 putt bogey

Scrambling well for me

So if I can drive straight then I can least go for more pars

Last round I hit 1 pars on the par 4s and 5s

So out of 14 holes I had 7 par putts missed 6 which isn't great but I got myself in the position to attempt which is new

 

[Foxholer]

Congratulations.
You've caught up with the "new" into that was unveiled in 1968. Happy to lend you the book 😉.

I owned and read that book - by Cochran and Stobbs and commissioned by The Golf Society of Great Britain - quite some time ago, so no need thanks!

Unfortunately, its findings weren't adopted my many US coaches (almost certainly the NIH syndrome!)- until Trackman/Flightscope numbers confirmed and (especially Trackman - in 2009) published their 'findings'!

There were other publications along the way too - Jorgeson in 1996 for example, but US coaches (and the coaches of coaches!) appeared to be notoriously set in their ways! And there's a lot more of both coaches and players in good ol' USA!

But that's all slightly off topic! I believe my 'clarification' - and the explanation of why - is still appropriate! There are times when somewhat pedantic detail is essential!