Extra Strong No-Slice Grip

One of the most common causes of a slice is a weaker grip… now remember, the term “weaker” has no reference to grip pressure… it simple refers to your hands positioning on the grip. Your grip is considered weak when your trailing hand is on top of the club at address, or as it is …

One of the most common causes of a slice is a weaker grip… now remember, the term “weaker” has no reference to grip pressure… it simple refers to your hands positioning on the grip. Your grip is considered weak when your trailing hand is on top of the club at address, or as it is more commonly described as having your wrists turned to the left (right-handers only).A symptom of a weak grip is a lack of wrist movement into impact and an open clubface.

A weak grip makes it nearly impossible to square the clubface all by itself and then adding it the potential of less wrists movements, it’s no wonder this grip causes a slice. Image

To summarize why it’s so difficult to square your clubface with an open grip, let me explain… during a dynamic movement like a golf swing, there are many forces acting on your body at once… gravity… centrifugal force… G forces… all of which pull and move your body and club around in different directions. Your wrists in this case, are forced to return to their most neutral position. Your wrists’ neutral position is where they are facing each other in a clapping like position… now with this said, it becomes obvious how a weak grip breaks down when faced with these forces imparted on it by a golf swing. They will rotate to the left, opening the clubface in the process… causing a slice.

This drill involves working with extremes. Why do we do this? For one, after a bit of practice you will naturally assume a slightly stronger grip and two, this drill enables you to feel how your wrists should rotate through the impact zone. Set up normally to a golf ball with a 7- Iron on your driving range. Before hitting the ball turn your hands to the right around the club as far as you possibly can (effectively making your grip much stronger (see the picture above)), make sure the clubface remains square to the target line. Now start hitting some balls.

With some practice you should be able to turn that slice into a solid draw or even a hook. Reflect on what you felt through impact; remember how your wrists moved and how your hands felt. Hit a bunch of ball with this grip and then try your normal grip again, but consider strengthening it slightly. Focus on re-creating the wrist rotation your felt through impact.

For most of my students, just being able to turn a ball from right to left for the first time is a huge boost of confidence. For you chronic slicers out there, don’t miss this drill.