To cure the slice continued:
The initiation of the forward swing is a crucial step not only to cure the slice but also to build a repeating golf swing. The forward swing is initiated by a combination of body motion and arm swing. The golfer with a slice tends to start the forward swing with a rotation of the shoulders and the hips and feet stuck.
This forces the arms out, away from the body causing the club to swing considerably out to in. To correct this common habit we must focus on initiating the forward swing with some lower body motion and the arms swinging down. The shoulders must hold their place as the arms swing down. We must combine this motion with a subtle turning of the hips caused by the left knee moving over to the left foot and the right knee moving slightly along the foot line.
The right heel should have risen slightly in response to the right knee moving along the foot line. If you think this sounds complicated you are absolutely correct! If this part of
the swing were easy everyone would be good at golf and the slice would be a thing of the past.
To practice this motion use a mirror. Swing to the top of the back swing and hold. Swing the hands down until they have reached belt high. The club should be parallel to the angle it formed at the address position and pointing at the line of the ball and target. At this point the left knee should have moved toward the target and be above the left foot. The right
knee should have moved toward the left knee and then right heel should have risen slightly. The shoulders have barely started to turn and there is a feeling of resistance in the shoulders. The club head should be behind the body.
This movement cannot be practiced while playing on the course, it is simply too much to think about during the speed of the full swing. Practice using a mirror. On the course just let it happen. As a golf pro from Texas told me, "If you think, you will stink."
Terry Gingell is Director of Instruction at Eagle Valley Golf Club and can be reached at 887-7174.
