A sliced shot is a ball that curves dramatically to the right (for right-handed players) in the air. While it looks frustrating, the physics behind a slice are simple and predictable.
According to the modern Ball Flight Laws, the curvature of a golf ball is determined by the relationship between two factors:
1. The Swing Path: The direction the clubhead is traveling at impact (e.g. out-to-in or in-to-out).
2. The Clubface Angle: The direction the face is pointing at impact (open, closed, or square).
A slice occurs because the clubface is open relative to the swing path at the moment of strike. If you swing out-to-in (left) by 5 degrees, but your clubface is pointing 2 degrees to the right, the face is open relative to the path. This difference creates a sliding friction that imparts clockwise side-spin on the ball.
To cure the slice, you must align the clubface and path. Closing the face relative to the target line or swinging more inside-out will immediately reduce or reverse the spin, resulting in straight shots or draws.