Fix your slice on the backswing

Many golfers fight a slice because they make a steep downswing, where the club travels on an out-to-in path with an open clubface. The typical reaction is to try to swing on a shallower angle into the ball, but the best way to cure that steep descent is to steepen your backswing. —Andrew Park, one of Golf Digest's Best Teachers in Florida

1 OF 5
Understand Cause and Effect
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  • Swinging back flat creates an instinct to re-route onto a steeper downswing
  • The opposite—a steeper backswing—discourages any re-routing
  • Focus on your setup and takeaway to promote a steeper backswing
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Find your ideal posture
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  • Good posture is dictated by the length of your arms, legs and torso
  • Set your posture by tilting forward from your hips, letting your arms hang
  • When your fingertips touch the tops of your knees, that’s perfect posture
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Start your swing the right way
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  • Think of your core as the engine for the first part of the swing
  • The butt of the grip and your belt buckle should start back together
  • Grip down on the club and rehearse this synchronized move
  • Avoid letting your arms or hips move independently
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Hinge the club toward the sky
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  • When your lead arm is parallel to the ground, your wrists should be fully hinged
  • At halfway back, the butt end of the grip should point in line with the ball
  • Exaggerate a steeper move by feeling like you point the butt end at your toes
  • Keep turning your hips and upper body to finish the backswing
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Shift forward to shallow the swing
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  • Shift your lower body toward the target to start the downswing
  • Let the club "fall" from the top as your turn your body through impact
  • Think baseball hitters: They set the bat vertical, and when they step into the pitch, the bat shallows
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