Improve Your Golf Swing Soon: Overcome Your Slice in an Hour...
Hitting Straight Drives: Andrew Reynolds' Expert Tips to End Your Golf Slice
If you're tired of slicing your golf shots like me, it's high time you mastered the art of hitting dead-straight drives. Here's what golfer, PGA professional, and Top 50 Coach Andrew Reynolds, who's been coaching for an astonishing 47 years, has to say about curing that pesky slice once and for all.
Andrew, appointed the youngest Head Professional in history at Royal Cinque Ports at age 23, draws on decades of experience coaching amateurs, professionals, and even European Tour players. He's achieved success on the Senior Tour himself, with a top-20 finish at the Senior Open Championship at Turnberry to name one of his highlights.
Break the Slice Cycle in 60 Minutes
Step 1: Get Square
- Set up square, even though it seems like a no-brainer, most coaches neglect to explain what they mean by this.
- Incorrectly, many golfers attempt to align their body directly with the target. In reality, your feet, hips, and shoulders should be parallel to the target line.
- In the image above, while the club is aimed at the target, my feet, hips, and shoulders are not. This is a common issue when battling a slice as your body is likely open to the target line.
- To improve your address position, use golf alignment sticks and focus on achieving this square setup.
Step 2: Left Wrist Position
- Compare the two images shown here. The difference might seem subtle, but it makes a big impact.
- When your left wrist flexes towards your head at the top of your backswing, like in the right-hand image, you open the clubface, leading to a sliced ball.
- Instead, focus on keeping your left wrist more solid at the top, and you'll notice a significant improvement in the quality of your drives.
Step 3: Unlock the Release
- After improving your address position, focus on your swing. Don't be too defensive with your driver and try to guide the ball down the fairway. This prevents an effective release, leading to an open clubface at impact.
- Perform these drills to encourage a more rounded swing:1) Widen your stance, as shown in the left image, and make practice swings. This exageration can help you achieve a more rounded swing, improving the release.2) Address the ball with your feet shoulder-width apart, then move your right foot back. This will force your swing to become rounder and activate the release.
Step 4: Correct Swing Path
- If you have a tendency to slice, there's a chance your swing is too flat. Beginning with an inside takeaway, which is a common fault (shown on the left), can lead to a challenging release and wide drives.
- To overcome this, ensure your club path is on a better trajectory (as shown on the right). A good upper body turn and powerful release will straighten out your drives and add power. Use a mirror or video your swing to monitor progress and practice consistent, rounded swings.
By following Andrew Reynolds' expert advice and working on these four steps, you can break the cycle of the slice and improve your golf game significantly. Say goodbye to those wayward tee shots and start hitting straight, powerful drives with confidence. Happy golfing!
Golfing enthusiasts, take note: Mastering the golf swing is vital for hitting consistent straight drives, especially when trying to break the cycle of a dreaded slice. Andrew Reynolds, a PGA professional and Top 50 Coach with over four decades of experience, offers insights on curing the slice. In his teaching, he emphasizes the importance of a square setup (feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line), maintaining the correct left wrist position (solid, not flexed towards the head), unlocking the release (avoiding a defensive swing), and correcting the swing path (promoting a rounded swing with a good upper body turn and powerful release). By incorporating these elements into your golf practice, you can dramatically improve your drives and enhance your game.
