Golf tip: Here's drill to avoid slices, fades

A proper downswing is critical to avoid a slice or fade, says Pelican Hill golf instructor Glenn Deck. NICHOLAS GINGOLD

The golf ball doesn't care what swing style you have; it simply responds to one's downswing path, clubface alignment, loft and speed it's traveling.

Most amateurs hit a slice or weak fade because of an over the top downswing which creates an outside-to-in path to the ball.

To prevent that, keep your right shoulder back at the start of the downswing before moving it down. If your right shoulder goes out at the start of your downswing your club will go outside and you'll go across the plane. If the face is square or closed you'll hit a pull or a hook, causing you to start opening the clubface to get the ball back in play, which often results in hitting a weak slice.

Here's a drill that will benefit you and eliminate the over the top path:

•Set up and choke down on the grip so part of your bottom hand is on the shaft and the club is 6 to 8 inches off the ground.

•Make your normal backswing and start your downswing with two simple feelings. To feel like you're keeping your right shoulder back, make a mini waggle of your arms moving down until your left arm is level to the ground. While the arms are moving down you also want to feel that your weight has shifted forward. If done correctly, the butt of the grip will be on your target line behind the ball. The transition move is what determines if your downswing plane is in line or off line.

•After a few mini waggles, swing the club down and out to the ball with a natural release; the right shoulder will then work down. You can even take this drill to the course to groove a better downswing path.

If your downswing plane and clubface don't match up you'll always be an inconsistent golfer. If you're not able to make this simple downswing move to eliminate the over the top swing, a lesson can determine if you have more than a transition problem.

SCPGA Teacher of the Year Glenn Deck is director of instruction at Pelican Hill Golf Academy.

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