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welcome to Equipment Questions You’re Afraid to Ask, a GOLF.com series produced in partnership with Cleveland Golf. In the latest episode, we discuss ways to batch a slice.
Let’s take a quick field trip down the instruction aisle for a moment so we can better understand what causes a slice. A the slice can be boiled to two key measurements: the angle of the club face at impact and the direction of club trajectory. If the club face is open relative to the path the club takes, you are guaranteed to hit a slice no matter what club you use.
Your slice can be a pull slice or a push slice; even a fade is considered a cut shot. Regardless, an open clubface relative to the path still causes the ball to spin to the right if you are a right-handed golfer.
With that in mind, let’s look at how your clubs factor into the equation.
It’s true that a change in equipment can help reduce, or even eliminate, a pesky slice. It’s also true that some equipment can make you slice the ball even more. How can you tell the difference and if it’s you or the club? We’ve got some high-level answers for you below, but remember: the only way to truly know if your clubs are helping/hurting you is to have a live consultation with a local club fitter.
Every golfer is different and you may find contrarian advice on these points that will work best for your particular swing.
Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Drivers
The ZX offers a two-fisted punch for added distance and forgiveness. One tester said: “The traditional shape and red line on the back look great. The ball seems very fast on the face. He’s the best driver I’ve met today.
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1. Check your shaft flex
This is a loaded topic, and one that has been debated in many different ways. For the sake of brevity, we’ll look at the most common perspective, which is that if your shafts are too stiff for your swing, then you’ll hit a lot of slices. This is especially true with shafts that are stiffer toward the tip and have lower torque ratings.
Instead, if you use a softer flex, you will allow the clubhead to release more effectively and align with the path of the club at impact. A stiffer product can help you reduce spin and lower launch; just be careful not to get too stiff, which can cause many problems. This may include enlarging a slice.
2. Lying length and angle
Most commercially available clubs come in standard lengths. standard lying angles, presumably for men and women of average height and arm length. But what if your height is below “average” or your arms hang lower than most? Swinging clubs that are too long can make it even more difficult to square the clubface and generally results in more shots to the right.
Plus, sometimes it’s not the length that makes you decide, but your lie angle. If your clubs are too flat, they may force you to make a more rounded and flatter swing. (This is a good thing if you’re prone to hooking it, but not so desirable if you’re already prone to hitting slices.)
3. Weight problems
When was the last time you thought about how your clubs were weighted? Perimeter-weighted (or heel-toe-weighted) irons help reduce a slice primarily because they are less resistant to twisting upon impact. But to further reduce slice through weight, some manufacturers add weight to the heel, making the toe lighter and easier to place at impact.
This is true not only for iron models, but also for woods and drivers. For example, the Srixon ZX7 driver has two weight ports – one in the heel and the other towards the toe. By placing heavier weight in the heel region you are effectively slowing it down, meaning the toe will move faster to align the club face. If you have too much weight on the toes, you will slow it down and likely leave the face open at impact.
4. Fix the problem
Before the advent of hollow body irons with internal weighting, helping to reduce a slice usually meant playing clubs with more offset. Which, if you’re new here, happens when the shaft of the club is bent backwards, placing the leading edge of the club head behind it.
The offset allows the golfer to position their hands above the ball and buy a little more time to straighten the face at impact. Additionally, the offset pushes the CG further back, helping the ball fly higher with more backspin. More backspin generally means less sidepin, thus reducing a slice. Offset is still present in today’s irons, but it’s not as dramatic as it once was, thanks to advances in internal and blended material weighting systems.
5. Adhesion control
Finally, using a larger grip diameter may feel better in the hands, but it may also be a reason why you are hitting shots to the right. When you play big, you slow down the release of the hands during the stroke, meaning you’ll be more likely to make contact with the ball with an open clubface.
If this sounds like you, try handles with a smaller diameter. In addition to reducing a slice, you might also see a small increase in club head speed.
Want to renovate your own bag for 2021? Visit the expert fitters of our sister company, Genuine Golf Spec. For more of the latest gear news and information, be sure to check out our recent Fully Geared podcast in the Spotify link below.
