Watching your golf ball sail uncontrollably to the right is one of the most frustrating experiences in the game. Whether it's a big, curving slice or a push that starts right and stays right, that single miss can derail a hole and your confidence. This guide will walk you through understanding why your shot is going right and provide clear, actionable steps and drills to get your ball flying straight at the target again.
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First, Understand Why Your Ball Goes Right: Slice vs. Push
Before you can apply a fix, you need to be an accurate detective. A ball going right isn't just one problem, it's typically one of two distinct issues with different causes. Knowing which one you're fighting is the first step.
The Slice: This is the most common miss for amateur golfers. The ball starts relatively straight or even slightly left of your target, then curves dramatically to the right in the air. This is caused by an "outside-to-in" swing path combined with a clubface that is open to that path.
The Push: This shot starts right of your target and travels on a relatively straight line, never curving back. This is generally caused by an "in-to-out" swing path where the clubface is open to the target line at impact.
In simple terms, think of it like this: your swing path determines where the ball starts, and your clubface angle at impact determines if and how it curves. Let's look at the most common problem first: the slice.
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Solving the Slice: Fixing the "Over-the-Top" Swing
The vast majority of golfers who slice the ball do so because of an "over-the-top" move. This happens when your first movement in the downswing is dominated by your right shoulder and hands pushing the club "out" and "over" the ideal swing plane. From this position, your only option is to cut across the ball from outside to in, putting slice spin on it.
Checkpoint #1: Your Grip, the Steering Wheel
Your hands are your only connection to the club, and an improper hold is a massive cause of an open clubface and a resulting slice. The most common error is a "weak" grip, where the hands are rotated too far to the left (for a right-handed golfer) on the handle.
The Fix: Look down at your left hand. You should comfortably see at least two, maybe even two-and-a-half, knuckles. If you only see one or none, your grip is likely too weak.
Action Step: Allow your left hand to rotate slightly to the right on the grip until those two knuckles are visible. Then, bring your right hand on so the "V" formed by your thumb and index finger points towards your right shoulder. This is a more "neutral" to "strong" position that naturally encourages the clubface to close through impact.
Checkpoint #2: Poor Alignment at Setup
Many golfers who slice don't realize they are actually aiming left to compensate for the big curve. They align their feet, hips, and shoulders well left of the target, which only encourages an over-the-top, outside-in swing path to get the club back towards the target line. It's a vicious cycle.
The Fix: Learn to aim your body parallel to the target line, not at the target itself. Imagine a railroad track. The ball and clubface are on the right rail, aimed directly at your target. Your feet, hips, and shoulders are on the left rail, parallel to the first.
Action Step: Place an alignment stick (or another golf club) on the ground just outside your golf ball, pointing at your target. Then, place a second alignment stick just inside your toes, parallel to the first one. This gives you a powerful visual for what square alignment feels like.
The Real Slice-Killer: The Downswing Sequence
Fixing an over-the-top slice isn't about "trying not to swing outside-in." That rarely works. The fix is in sequencing your downswing correctly. The slice typically starts because the upper body, especially the right shoulder, initiates the downswing too aggressively.
The proper sequence should feel like the lower body leads the way. It's a slight "bump" or lateral shift of your hips toward the target, which then triggers the unwinding and rotation. This subtle move helps drop the clubhead down into the "slot" on an inside path, instead of pushing it out over the top.
A great way to feel this is with a simple drill:
Drill: The Headcover Drill
This is a classic for a reason - it gives you instant feedback about your swing path.
Tee up a ball (using a tee is best, even with an iron, to start).
Place a headcover (or a rolled-up towel) on the ground about six inches outside your golf ball and slightly behind it.
Your goal is simple: hit the ball without hitting the headcover.
If you swing over the top, you'll clobber the headcover. To miss it, you will be forced to drop the club to the inside on the downswing. After a few swings, this internal path begins to feel much more natural.
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If you're hitting a push, congratulations! Your swing path is likely pretty good (in-to-out), which is something slicers strive for. Your problem is simpler: your clubface is just open at the moment of truth. You're swinging in the right direction, but the "door" is open when you get to the ball.
Checkpoint #3: A Flat Left Wrist at the Top
Take your backswing and pause at the top. Look at your left wrist (for a righty). Is there a "cup" or notable bend in the back of it? A cupped left wrist almost always translates to an open clubface at the top of the swing, a position from which it's very hard to recover and square the face by impact.
The Fix: Strive for a "flat" or neutral left wrist at the top. This means the back of your hand is in line with your forearm. For some players, a slightly "bowed" wrist (like Dustin Johnson or Jon Rahm) can feel powerful and is great for closing the face.
Action Step: Practice bringing the club to the top of your swing in front of a mirror. Pay close attention to that left wrist. Gradually adjust it until it looks flat. It might feel strange at first, but it puts the club in a much stronger position.
Feeling the Release of the Clubhead
Many players who push the ball have a "blocking" motion through impact. They prevent the clubface from naturally rotating closed, holding the face open through the hitting area. The feeling you want is the opposite: allowing the toe of the club to "release" or pass the heel through impact. This is what squares the face.
Drill: The Split-Handed Swing
This is a fantastic drill for developing a feel for how the forearms and hands should work to square the clubface.
Take your normal setup with a mid-iron.
Simply slide your right hand down the shaft about four or five inches, creating a gap between your hands.
Take a few half-swings at 50% speed. With your hands separated, you will immediately feel how your right arm and hand need to work to roll over your left arm through impact.
It becomes much more intuitive to feel the clubhead turn over and release. After a few of these feels, go back to your normal grip and try to replicate that same sensation of release.
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Consistently hitting the ball right comes down to physics - your swing path and clubface angle at impact. By correctly identifying if you have a slice or a push, you can stop guessing and start applying the right checkpoint and drill to solve the actual root of the problem.
Understanding these swing dynamics on your own can feel complicated, which is why having an expert resource is so helpful. At Caddie AI, we help you remove the guesswork. You can ask for drills to fix your slice, get an analysis of a tough lie that could send your ball right, or get a clear strategy on a hole so you don't feel pressure to make a difficult swing. We're here 24/7 to provide the simple, personalized guidance you need to play with more confidence and turn that right miss into a perfectly straight shot.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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