Fix an Out-to-In Swing: Two Drills for a Pull Slice

Piece: Tee shots | Level: Break 100 | 5-minute read | Part 4 of 4 in the Fix Your Slice series

A pull slice starts left and curves right because your swing path cuts across the ball. The fix is to change what happens in the first move of the downswing. This article gives you a feel cue, two drills, and a 7-day plan. Everything here is written for right-handed golfers; lefties, mirror it.

The leak: an out-to-in swing path

The out-to-in path behind most pull slices usually comes from the upper body starting the downswing. The shoulders spin open, the arms get pushed outside the target line, and the club cuts across the ball from the outside. Even with a square face, that path produces a slice, and with an open face it produces a big one.

On the scorecard, that’s a tee shot that starts toward the left rough and curves into the right trees, which is trouble on both sides and a double bogey waiting to happen.

The fix: three changes

1. Use a feel cue. Swing out toward “right field,” to the right of your target. The feel will seem exaggerated, but your real path will move closer to the target line.
2. Drop the arms before the shoulders open. Feel your trail elbow drop toward your trail hip pocket as the downswing begins, so the club shallows out instead of getting thrown over the top.
3. Keep your setup honest. Hold the spine tilt and shoulder line from Part 2. A closed-off setup makes the path harder to fix, not easier.

The drills

Drill 1: the headcover gate

Place a headcover just outside the ball line, about 6-8 inches farther from you than the ball and an inch or two behind it. An over-the-top move clips it. Hit 10 half-to-three-quarter 7-irons and swing under it. Success: 8 of 10 swings miss the headcover.

Drill 2: trail elbow to hip

Pause at the top. Feel your trail elbow drop toward your trail hip pocket, then swing through. Do 10 slow reps without a ball, then 10 with a ball. Success: 7 of 10 balls start at or right of the target line without any hook.

Your 7-day game plan

• Days 1-2: headcover gate, 20 reps per session with a 7-iron.
• Days 3-4: trail elbow to hip, 10 slow reps without a ball and 10 with a ball.
• Day 5: 20 balls using the “right field” feel cue.
• Day 6: repeat the 10-ball test and compare it to your Part 1 tally.
• Day 7: play nine holes using the rule below.

Your rule for the next round

When you feel your upper body rushing the downswing, slow your transition and think “right field.” A slower first move beats a faster one.

The measure

Count the balls out of 10 that start left and curve right. Aim for no more than 3 of 10 within two weeks. That’s a target, not a guarantee.

Next piece on the path

You now have all four pieces. Put them together with the 4-week Fix Your Slice plan, then protect your score with 9 Elite Golf Course Management Tips. See the Path 2 Par blueprint for your next piece.