How to Slice the Golf Ball

Slicing the ball intentionally, sometimes called a fade or a cut, gives it a left to right trajectory in flight. It's a handy shot to master because it allows you to hit around trees, dog legs and other obstacles on the fairway, and it can help you drop your ball lightly onto the green for a soft landing and an easy roll toward the cup.

Instructions

1. Address the ball, as you normally would, with your club face square with the ball. Pick a target to the left of where you actually want your ball to land because the object of this shot is to curve the ball into the intended landing spot.

2. Open your stance slightly so your shoulders and body are pointing slightly left of your target.

3. Swing to hit the ball straight down the line toward the target while keeping your stance open. This will force the club to take an inside out arc and the club face to open up at impact with the ball. Hitting the ball at this angle puts a right to left spin on the ball.

4. Watch as your ball starts out straight, then begins to curve to the right. When it hits the ground, it will continue to roll toward the right because of the spin.

5. Notice that your ball will fly higher with this shot than it would if you were hitting a normal shot with the same club. It will also roll longer because of the spin on the ball.

6. Check your divot after the shot. If you've hit the slice correctly, your divot will angle a little left of your target.