What Is a Slice in Golf?

A slice is a golf shot that curves significantly from left to right for a right-handed golfer. For a left-handed golfer, the curve moves from right to left. It describes how the ball curves through the air, rather than the direction in which it initially starts.

A Slice, Explained Simply

A slice is a shot that curves noticeably across the target line as it travels through the air.

For a right-handed golfer, the ball curves from left to right. For a left-handed golfer, it curves from right to left.

The important thing is that a slice describes the curve, not where the ball starts. A sliced shot might begin left of the target, start straight, or head right before curving further away.

The curve is influenced by the relationship between the direction the clubface is pointing at impact and the direction the clubhead is travelling. For a right-handed golfer, a clubface that is open relative to the swing path can produce left-to-right curvature.

A slice is generally a larger, less controlled version of the same basic curve seen in a fade. The ball moves significantly across the target line, often making it difficult to predict where it will finish.

Why Does a Slice Matter?

A slice matters because the ball can finish a long way from where you intended it to go. Even a reasonably solid strike can become a difficult shot if the curve is large enough.

This is particularly noticeable with the driver. A shot that starts towards the fairway but curves sharply to the right can finish in the rough, trees or out of bounds. The extra sideways movement also makes it harder to judge how much room you have to aim with.

The term is useful because it describes the shape of the shot without assuming what caused it. Two golfers might both hit a slice, but the ball could start in completely different directions. Their starting lines provide another piece of information about the shot.

When looking at a slice, it helps to separate two things: where the ball initially starts and how it curves afterwards. The starting direction and the amount of curvature tell you different things about the impact conditions.

What Creates a Slice?

You don't need to understand every detail of the golf swing to understand why a slice happens. A few important relationships help explain the ball flight.

Clubface direction

The direction the clubface points at impact has a major influence on the ball's initial direction. If the face is pointing to the right of the target for a right-handed golfer, the ball will generally start to the right. The reverse applies to a left-handed golfer.

Swing path

Swing path describes the direction the clubhead is travelling through impact. It is separate from the direction the clubface is pointing. A clubhead can be travelling left of the target while the face is pointing somewhere different.

Face-to-path relationship

The relationship between the clubface and swing path is a major influence on the ball's curvature. For a right-handed golfer, a face that is open relative to the path can create left-to-right curve. The more pronounced this relationship, the more curvature the shot may produce.

Starting direction

A slice doesn't have to start to the right. It can begin left of the target, straight towards it or to the right, then curve further right. The starting line is influenced primarily by the clubface direction, while the curve is influenced by the face-to-path relationship.

Amount of curvature

A slice is generally used to describe a significant left-to-right curve for a right-handed golfer. A smaller, more controlled curve in the same direction is usually called a fade. There isn't one exact measurement that separates the two; the terms describe the character and degree of the shot shape.

Slice vs Fade vs Push

Slice, fade and push are often used to describe shots that finish to the right of the target for a right-handed golfer. However, they describe different things.

A slice and a fade describe the amount and direction of the ball's curve. A push describes the direction in which the ball initially starts. Understanding the difference helps you describe what actually happened rather than grouping every shot that finishes right into the same category.

For example, a right-handed golfer who starts the ball straight and sees it curve sharply right has hit a slice. If the ball starts right and then curves further right, it is a push-slice. If it starts right but stays on that line without significant curve, it is a push.

For a left-handed golfer, the directions are reversed.

Slice — At a Glance