One of the most common and dreaded shots in golf is the banana slice.
This is the second article of a two-part series on the causes and fixes of slicing the ball.
In my previous article on “Why do I Keep Slicing?”, we focused on squaring the club face at impact. A poor grip is just part of the contributing factor that causes a slice.
The second factor that causes a slice is the path of the club. How the club travels through impact relative to the target line may be defined as either square, in-to-out or out-to-in. A banana slice is a severely pronounced out-to-in path combined with an open club face causing the ball to curve like the shape of a banana left-to-right for a right-handed player or right to left for a left-handed player.
The use of the Trackman Simulator data and video is extremely helpful in determining exactly what is happening through impact. The blue arrow represents the path of the club while the red arrow represents the club face at impact, and the orange curved line represents the ball flight.
The golfer in the photo above had a banana slice (caused by an out-to-in swing path combined with an open club face).
With additional use of the Inside Approach training tool, we worked on a steeper back swing by allowing the left shoulder to work under his chin. A proper back swing makes for a smoother transition in the down swing.
Finally, I adjusted his grip so that he could release the club and square the club face. Within 45-minutes he was swinging the club with a square face down the target line. See the video below.
The next time you want to fix your slice, use a Trackman Simulator so you can receive immediate feedback as to what your club path and face is doing at impact.
For further assistance, schedule a lesson with Tami Bealert, PGA Director of Instruction.
