Golf Swing Drills 10 Proven Routines to Fix Your Slice Fast

Introduction

“golf swing drills 10 proven routines to fix your slice fast” answers the single most common swing problem amateur golfers face: the slice. A slice costs distance, accuracy, and confidence, and most players can reduce it dramatically with focused drills and measurable practice. This guide gives you ten proven drills, clear diagnostics, a six-week practice timeline, and the tech and tools to track progress.

You will learn why a slice happens in numbers and positions, how each drill targets a specific cause, and precisely how to practice to see measurable improvement. Expect step-by-step routines you can do on the range, with rep counts, tempo cues, and a simple checklist to follow each session. The goal is not vague feel-based advice but repeatable actions that lower your handicap and tighten dispersion.

This covers the causes, the drills—in order of priority—how to implement them, which tools help most, common mistakes to avoid, and a realistic timeline with milestones. Use this plan to convert range time into reliable on-course results.

Golf Swing Drills 10 Proven Routines to Fix Your Slice Fast

This section lists 10 drills with the What, Why, How, and recommended reps. Do drills in order: set-up first, then path/face control, then sequencing and speed. Each drill targets a primary slice cause: open clubface at impact, outside-in swing path, weak release, or poor setup.

1. Strong Grip Drill

What: Rotate hands 20 to 30 degrees clockwise (right hand for right-handed golfers).

Why: A stronger grip helps square the clubface at impact.

How: Take 10 half swings, 10 three-quarter swings, 10 full swings focusing on feeling the two or three knuckles on your left hand.

Reps: 30 per session.

When: Start every session for 1 week, then intermittently.

2. Alignment Rod Path Gate

What: Place two alignment rods 6 inches outside ball and 6 inches inside target line creating a tunnel.

Why: Trains inside-to-out swing path to eliminate outside-in path that causes slices.

How: Hit 20 balls through the gate, starting slow and increasing speed.

Reps: 20-40 per session.

3. Toe-Up to Toe-Up Release Drill

What: Swing to the position where the club shaft is parallel to the ground and the toe points up, then mirror on follow-through.

Why: Promotes proper rotation and release through impact.

How: Take 15 slow swings focusing on matching toe-up on backswing and follow-through within 1 second.

Reps: 15-30.

4. Impact Bag Drill

What: Smash a soft impact bag to feel a square, slightly forward shaft position at contact.

Why: Trains hands-forward impact and reduces scooping that opens the face.

How: 6 sets of 5 strikes with 30-second rests.

Reps: 30 total.

5. Ball-Behind-Target Drill

What: Place a tee or headcover a few inches behind target line and intentionally swing inside-out to miss it.

Why: Builds a protected inside path and clubface turnaround.

How: 3 sets of 10 with short clubs before moving to driver.

Reps: 30.

6. Two-Tee Driver Drill

What: Set two tees: one for the ball, one 4 inches outside on target line. Strike to avoid the outside tee.

Why: Trains inside path and prevents coming over the top.

How: 24 balls per session: 12 half swings, 12 full swings.

7. Pause at Half-Down Drill

What: Pause for a 1-second count at halfway down from the top.

Why: Helps correct early hand casting and encourages lower body initiation.

How: 3 sets of 10, gradually reducing pause speed.

Reps: 30.

8. Orange Whip or Tempo Trainer

What: Use an Orange Whip or SKLZ Gold Flex to groove correct timing and rotation.

Why: Builds synchronized rotation and consistent release tempo.

How: 5-10 minutes per session swinging rhythmically.

Reps: Time-based.

9. Closed-Face Alignment Drill

What: Aim clubface slightly closed relative to feet at set-up, then swing normally.

Why: Trains feel for a square face at impact and reduces slice spin.

How: 10 swings with short clubs then move to mid and long clubs.

Reps: 30.

10. On-Course Pressure Drill

What: On a par-4 approach, purposely aim 10 yards left and attempt to hit fairway with controlled swing.

Why: Transfers range correction to course play under pressure.

How: Apply this during one round per week.

Reps: 9 holes focused practice.

Use these drills in rotation. Week 1 emphasize drills 1, 2, 4. Weeks 2 and 3 add 3, 5, 7.

Weeks 4 to 6 integrate 6, 8, 9 and on-course drill 10. Track ball flight shape and face-to-path numbers when possible.

How the Slice Happens:

diagnosis, numbers, and quick fixes

What a slice is: an initial left-to-right ball flight for right-handed golfers caused by the clubface being open relative to the swing path at impact. The face rotates less than the path requires, adding sidespin and producing a curve. Diagnose with simple tools: video or a launch monitor.

Common measurable patterns:

• Clubface-to-path differential: typical slice shows a face that is 5 to 30 degrees open relative to swing path at impact.
• Swing path: 5 to 25 degrees outside-to-in.
• Ball spin: sidespin often exceeds 1000 rpm; total spin tends to be higher, reducing carry by 10 to 30 percent.

Quick diagnostic checklist:

• Grip: Check if less than two knuckles of the lead hand are visible; weak grips often show 0 to 1 knuckle.
• Setup: Open feet, hips, or shoulders will bias an outside-in path.
• Early release: Casting leads to open face through impact.
• Body sequencing: Overactive upper body and insufficient hip rotation cause coming over the top.

How to diagnose with low-cost methods:

• Video phone: Record down-the-line and face-on to capture path and face rotation. Use slow motion to identify whether the club is outside-in at the start of the downswing.
• Ball flight markers: Use a target line and note where the ball starts (fade/slice often starts left then cuts right).
• Simple numbers: Aim to reduce face-to-path differential toward 0 to -3 degrees (slight draw). Measure with an app or launch monitor for accuracy.

Why each fix matters:

• Grip changes influence face rotation by 5 to 10 degrees.
• Path drills like alignment gates can alter path by 7 to 15 degrees over a few weeks.
• Release and impact drills improve dynamic loft and reduce spin by hundreds of rpm.

Practical example: a player with 25-degree outside-in path and 10-degree open face could, with targeted drills, reduce path to 5 degrees outside-in and face to 2 degrees open in 4 to 6 weeks, turning extreme slices into playable fades or draws.

How to Practice:

schedules, sets, tempo, and measurable timelines

Overview: Intentional practice beats random range time. Use this schedule to convert the 10 drills into a six-week program with measurable checkpoints.

Weekly schedule (6-week plan):

• Week 1: Grip, alignment, impact fundamentals. 3 sessions, 45 minutes each.
• Week 2: Add path and pause drills. 3 sessions, 60 minutes each.
• Week 3: Increase speed, start driver-specific gate and two-tee drills. 3 sessions, 60 minutes each.
• Week 4: Integrate tempo trainer and on-course pressure drill. 3-4 sessions, include one 9-hole focused round.
• Week 5: Combine speed and accuracy, measure with launch monitor. 3 sessions, 60-75 minutes.
• Week 6: Play under pressure, track stats, adjust as needed.

Session structure (45-75 minutes):

• Warm-up: 8-10 minutes with light swings or Orange Whip.
• Blocked practice: 20-30 minutes focused on one drill (e.g., alignment gate) with 3 sets of 8-12 reps.
• Variable practice: 10-20 minutes mixing clubs and target shapes.
• Cooldown: 5 minutes of short game or mobility.

Reps and tempo:

• Reps per drill: 20-40 focused reps for mechanical drills; 10-20 quality reps for high-speed driver work.
• Tempo counts: Use a 3-1-2 rhythm (3 for backswing, 1 pause at transition for drilling, 2 for follow-through tempo) to ingrain timing.
• Rest: 30 to 60 seconds between full swings to maintain quality.

Progress checks:

• Weekly video compare: down-the-line frame at impact and transition.
• Midpoint (week 3): measure ball flight changes; target reducing initial slice angle by half.
• End of plan (week 6): measure dispersion and fairways hit percentage. Realistic target: increase fairways hit by 10 to 20 percentage points and reduce side-spin by 30 percent.

Example timeline with numbers:

• Starting slice: 30 yards curvature, 1200 rpm side spin, fairways hit 30%.
• After 3 weeks: 15 yards curvature, 800 rpm, fairways hit 45%.
• After 6 weeks: 5-10 yards curvature, 500 rpm, fairways hit 60-70%.

Keep a practice log: date, drill, reps, ball flight notes, and a single number metric (fairways hit, side spin rpm, or dispersion in yards).

Analysis and Coaching:

tech, pros, and when to get help

When to go solo and when to see a coach:

• Solo: If your slice is caused by grip or simple path issues and you can video yourself, solo practice with drills is effective for 4 to 6 weeks.
• Professional help: If you see no measurable change after 6 weeks, or if launch monitor data shows conflicting info, book a session with a PGA professional or a certified coach.

Tools and tech to measure progress:

• Launch monitors:
• SkyTrak: portable launch monitor, approximate price $1,995. Good for spin, launch, and ball flight at home.
• FlightScope Mevo+: portable, approximate price $2,000 to $2,500. Offers club and ball data with decent accuracy.
• TrackMan: professional-grade, price varies, often $18,000+. Used by coaches and fitting centers.
• Tempo and swing aids:
• Orange Whip Trainer: about $129, available at Amazon and golf retailers.
• SKLZ Gold Flex: about $40, helps with tempo and flexibility.
• Swing Caddie SC300: portable launch monitor for basic metrics, about $250.
• Video apps:
• V1 Golf: subscription options, pro-level analysis tools.
• Hudl Technique: free basic features, paid upgrades.
• Impact and alignment aids:
• Impact bag: $20 to $60.
• Eyeline Golf alignment rods: $10 to $20 for a pair.

How coaches use data:

• Face-to-path at impact is the most diagnostic number. Coaches will target drills to change that metric.
• 30-45 minute lessons focusing on one measurable change (e.g., reduce face-to-path by 7 degrees) give better ROI than long unfocused sessions.

Cost comparison and value:

• Budget tech route: Swing Caddie + phone video + Orange Whip costs under $500 and provides meaningful feedback.
• Mid-range: SkyTrak or Mevo+ plus app subscriptions about $2,000 gives accurate spin and launch numbers for home practice.
• High-end coaching: Single TrackMan lesson can cost $150 to $300 depending on facility but provides deep diagnostics and club fitting.

Example plan combining tech and coaching:

• Buy alignment rods and impact bag ($40).
• Use Orange Whip ($129) for tempo, plus phone video (free).
• At week 3, rent SkyTrak or visit a club with a Mevo+ session ($40 to $75) to confirm progress.
• If no progress by week 6, book a 60-minute PGA lesson ($100 to $200) with launch monitor.

Tools and Resources

Essential equipment with pricing and availability for immediate practice:

• Alignment rods (Eyeline Golf): $10 to $20, sold on Amazon and golf shops. Use for path gates and setup alignment.
• Impact bag: $20 to $60, Amazon or local pro shop. Use for impact feel and hands-forward drills.
• Orange Whip Trainer: $129, Amazon, OrangeWhip.com. Great for rhythm and sequencing.
• SKLZ Gold Flex: $40, Amazon. Tempo and warm-up tool.
• Swing Caddie SC300 (portable S-band launch monitor): $250, available online. Gives ball speed and carry estimates.
• SkyTrak Launch Monitor: $1,995 (plus subscription options), SkyTrakGolf.com and retailers. Home practice, accurate spin/launch.
• FlightScope Mevo+: $2,000 to $2,500, FlightScope dealers. Portable, club and ball metrics.
• TrackMan: $18,000+, pro shops and fitting centers. For deep analysis and club fitting.
• Video apps:
• V1 Golf: free basic with paid pro features, available on iOS/Android.
• Hudl Technique: free to use basic; pro-level upgrades available.

Quick buying checklist:

• Budget starter: alignment rods + impact bag + phone video = under $50.
• Serious home setup: Orange Whip + SKLZ + Swing Caddie = ~$420.
• Full data-driven: SkyTrak or Mevo+ = $2,000+.

Where to get lessons:

• Local PGA teaching professionals: check PGA.com for certified instructors.
• Club fitting centers: many offer a combination of fitting and swing lessons with launch monitors.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Changing too many things at once

Avoid: Trying grip, stance, and path changes in the same session.

Fix: Focus on one variable per week; use a log to track that one metric.

2. Over-practicing speed before mechanics

Avoid: Hitting drivers full speed before the correct path is grooved.

Fix: Use half and three-quarter swings to ingrain path, then add speed after consistency.

3. Ignoring setup alignment

Avoid: Failing to check feet, hips, and shoulder alignment; bad setup perpetuates slice.

Fix: Use alignment rods every session and tape a line on the mat for reference.

4. Chasing feel without measurement

Avoid: Relying only on “felt” improvements and not tracking ball flight.

Fix: Use video or a launch monitor to record face-to-path changes.

5. Neglecting short clubs

Avoid: Fixing the driver first; many swing faults show with irons.

Fix: Start drills with wedges and short irons, then scale to longer clubs.

FAQ

How Fast Can I Expect to Stop Slicing My Driver?

With focused practice—3 sessions per week—most golfers see meaningful reduction in 4 to 6 weeks. Measurable improvements like reduced curvature and side spin often appear within 2 to 3 weeks.

Which Drill Should I Start with If I Only Have 20 Minutes?

Begin with the Strong Grip Drill and three sets of alignment rod path gate work. Spend 10 minutes on grip and 10 minutes on gate repetitions for fast, effective changes.

Do I Need a Launch Monitor to Fix My Slice?

No. You can make large improvements with video and the drills in this guide. A launch monitor accelerates progress by providing precise face-to-path and spin numbers.

Will Changing My Grip Reduce Distance?

You may lose small distance initially if you reduce slicing side spin, but you will gain accuracy and consistent carry. After 4 to 6 weeks your distance will typically recover or improve because of better contact and lower sidespin.

Is the Slice Always Caused by an Outside-in Path?

Not always. Some slices come mainly from an open clubface at impact or poor release. Diagnose with video or a coach to confirm whether path or face is dominant.

How Often Should I Work on on-Course Pressure Drills?

Include at least one focused on-course session per week starting in week 4. Practice short segments: 3 holes focusing on fairways, then expand to full 9-hole sessions.

Next Steps

1) Immediate checklist: Buy alignment rods ($10) and an impact bag ($20), download a video app, and set up your practice log. Start with the Strong Grip Drill today.

2. Six-week plan: Follow the weekly practice schedule in the How to practice section. Commit to 3 sessions per week and one focused on-course session by week 4.

3. Measure progress: Use phone video at each session and, if possible, a Swing Caddie ($250) or SkyTrak ($1,995) at week 3 and week 6 to compare face-to-path and side spin.

4. Book a lesson if needed: If you see minimal change after 6 weeks, schedule a 60-minute PGA lesson with launch monitor analysis to target stubborn issues.