A major cause of the common golf slice is excessive grip pressure. When you hold the golf club too tightly, you create tension that travels up your forearms, locking your wrists and preventing them from releasing naturally.
A correct release requires the forearms and wrists to roll over through the hitting zone. If your hands are rigid, the clubface will remain open relative to the target line, slicing the ball.
Tips to eliminate grip tension and fix your slice:
- The Grip Scale: On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is squeezing as hard as possible and 1 is letting the club fly out of your hands), aim for a pressure of 3 or 4. You want soft wrists.
- Fingers, Not Palms: Ensure the grip rests securely in the fingers. Holding the club in your palms restricts wrist mobility, blocking the hinge and face rotation.
- Relax Your Forearms: Take a practice swing focusing on feeling the weight of the club head. If your forearms feel tight, you are holding the club too hard.