Fix your slice

One of the most important keys in fixing a slice permanently is to learn to swing the clubhead on an inside-to-out swing path through impact. In order to swing the club head into the golf ball from the inside of your target line, a full turn of the shoulders in the backswing is required.

Ten years ago when GolfTEC first began giving lessons, we knew it was paramount to develop a more fact-based instruction program. To do so we began by measuring over 150 tour players with our motion analysis system. We found that the average tour player turns their shoulders 89 degrees closed in the backswing. Turning your shoulders sufficiently in the backswing allows your arms to swing into the position required to swing the club on plane in the downswing and, therefore, on the proper path through impact. There may be other factors that need to be addressed to fix the slice, but for now let's start with the turn of your shoulders.

As with any change in a golf swing, it is important to get comfortable with the new motion before attempting to actually hit a ball. Drills are a great way to become comfortable with any new motion before attempting it while trying to hit a golf ball.

A great drill to help feel the proper shoulder turn is the "Line up the Clubs" drill. To begin you need two clubs. Place one of the clubs so the shaft is both touching the inside edge of your right foot (for right-handed players) and is perpendicular to your target line. Place the other club across your shoulders and cross your arms to hold the club in place. After taking an athletic set-up turn your shoulders so that the clubs are directly on top of one another as you are looking down. When the clubs are lined up you are well on your way to achieving a full turn of the shoulders at the top of the backswing.

From there, take a peek in the mirror and perform the same motion again. This time notice as your shoulders turn, your head moves (yes, your head moves) back away from the target. Now that your shoulders have turned sufficiently, you are well on your way to swinging the clubhead from inside to out. Delivering the clubhead on an inside to out path will help take care of that nasty slice and probably increase your distance too. If you have questions about the "Line up the Clubs" drill, or any other golf questions, feel free to call or stop by your nearest GolfTEC learning center. Visit www.golftec.com for more information and store locations.

Andy Hilts is the National Director of Instruction for GolfTEC. In 1999, he graduated from the Professional Golf Management Program at Mississippi State University with a Bachelor degree in Business and Marketing. After five years as a PGA Class A Member, Hilts achieved PGA Master Professional in Instruction during June of 2005. Also in 2005, he received the highest honor the Colorado PGA bestows upon its teachers -- Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year. Hilts began at GolfTEC in 1999 at GolfTEC Naperville. He soon became Director of Instruction and filled that roll until 2001 when he transferred to Denver. While teaching full-time between 1999 and 2005 Hilts gave over 11,000 golf lessons and now oversees the golf instruction for all the GolfTEC Learning Centers Nationwide and assists with training all the new Teaching Professional at GolfTEC University. To date he has been responsible for training more than 60 GolfTEC Teaching Professionals.