WHY DOES YOUR BALL SLICE AND WHAT TRACKMAN DATA SHOULD YOU CHECK?

There is a reason why your ball goes where it goes and understanding that is essential to making the changes to straighten your golf shots.

Where does the ball start?

The first thing I look for is where the ball starts,if its starting very far right of the target we would call that a push slice. Now if this is always the case, it is likely the main problem is the club face is too open at impact to the target and the path. On a Trackman launch monitor aim for a club face that is between -2 and +2 of the target. In some extreme examples I'll see a club face that may be 15 degrees open. Thats not a fun way to play golf!

Where did you strike it?

This is scary, but on a Driver you will find that the difference between a shot struck in the centre vs the heel (the club face area nearest the shaft) can be 25 yards different in direction, and if we took it more extreme and considered the toe (the club face furthest from the shaft) vs the heel that may be 40 yards or more. For many golfers who slice the ball, this is their only problem!

Using a Trackman golf launch monitor aim for a contact point within 5mm of the toe or heel, preferably the toe vs the heel.

What is your club path?

The third biggest cause for slices is a club path excessively out to in. This means the swing appears left of the target at impact causing a less direct hit and creating a difference between where the club points and where you swing. This then creates spin that is tilted making the ball curve. Aim for a club path that is -1 to +2 to reduce the likelihood of the shot curving.

Data Summarised

Face Angle = -2 to +2 to the target.

Club Path = -1 to +2 to the target.

Contact = +/- 5mm from the centre of the club.

Fairways and Greens,

Mike Bygrave

Shots Factory Wanchai