A Step-By-Step Process to Eliminate Golf’s Most Frustrating Tee Shot
Few shots in golf are more frustrating than a slice. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to help golfers correct thousands of errant tee shots, and through that experience I’ve discovered something important: Fixing a slice is usually much simpler than most players think.
The key is not chasing complicated swing thoughts. Instead, improvement comes from developing awareness of two critical elements:
- What the clubface feels like at impact?
- Where the golf ball starts relative to your intended target?
The ball’s starting direction tells you exactly what the clubface was doing at impact. Once a player learns to observe that relationship, improvement happens quickly.
Below is a simple progression I use with players to eliminate the slice and build a reliable ball flight.
1. Hands: The Foundation of Clubface Control
Understanding the relationship between your hands and the clubface is essential. Start by placing the club in the lead hand so the grip runs through the fingers beginning at the base of the pinky finger and extending diagonally across to the middle joint of the index finger. This position allows the hands to control the clubface naturally through impact.
Next, place the trail hand on the club so the lifeline of the trail hand sits directly over the lead thumb. When done correctly, both hands work together as one connected unit, allowing the clubface to square more easily through the strike. A poor grip is one of the most common causes of a slice because it often leaves the clubface open.
2. Start Small: Build Awareness with Pitch Shots
Before hitting drivers, begin with a 30 to 50 yard pitch shot.
Set your grip correctly, then make a controlled swing where the lead arm moves back until it is roughly parallel to the ground. From there, rotate through to a balanced finish with 100% of your weight on the lead leg.
After every shot, pause and ask yourself two questions:
- Where did the ball start relative to my target?
- Where did I strike the ball on the clubface?
This reflection builds the awareness necessary to control the clubface.
3. Understanding Path
Most slices occur when the clubface is open relative to the swing path. For many golfers, the club travels from outside the target line to inside, while the clubface remains open. That combination produces the familiar left-to-right curve.
The goal is to gradually develop a swing where the club approaches the ball slightly from the inside, while the clubface is square or slightly closed relative to that path.
Instead of forcing a new swing, the following drills will help you develop that motion naturally.
Driver Drills to Eliminate the Slice
Drill 1: The Tee Gate Drill
This drill improves club path.
Place two tees in the ground just wider than the head of your driver. Position them about 12 inches in front of the golf ball, forming a gate aimed slightly to the right of your target.
Your goal is to swing through the gate without hitting either tee. If your club travels over the top, you’ll strike the outside tee. If the club approaches correctly from the inside, the clubhead will pass cleanly through the gate.
This creates the proper inside delivery that eliminates slice spin.
Drill 2: The Split-Hand Release Drill
This drill teaches the feeling of closing the clubface through impact.
Grip the driver normally with your lead hand. Then slide your trail hand 3 to 4 inches down the shaft. Make slow half swings focusing on allowing the clubhead to release past your hands through impact.
This drill exaggerates the feeling of the clubface rotating and helps eliminate the open face that causes a slice.
Drill 3: The Water Bottle Path Drill
Place a water bottle just outside the golf ball and slightly behind it.
If your swing comes over the top, the club will strike the water bottle. The goal is to swing the driver, so the club approaches the ball from the inside, missing the water bottle completely.
This drill instantly gives feedback on your swing path.
A Simple Practice Plan
To create lasting improvement, structure your practice session like this:
- Wedges – 10 minutes
- 30 to 50 yard pitch shots focusing on ball start direction and strike location
- Mid Irons – 10 minutes
Continue observing ball start direction while maintaining proper grip and face awareness.
- Driver Drills – 15 minutes
Rotate through:
- Tee Gate Drill
- Split-Hand Release Drill
- Water bottle Path Drill
- Driver Shots – 10 minutes
- Hit full drivers focusing only on where the ball starts, not how it curves
The Secret to Long Term Improvement
For me, coaching has always been about helping golfers understand the game rather than simply chasing better swings.
When players learn to observe ball flight, control the clubface, and practice with intention, improvement becomes inevitable. The slice that once felt impossible to fix becomes just another step in the learning process.
Golf has a way of rewarding patience, curiosity, and persistence. Every great player builds their game the same way: one thoughtful swing at a time.
If you commit to understanding what the ball is telling you and practice with purpose, the game will always move in the right direction.