Tom Stickney – A Top 100 Golf Teacher

Alignment Stick Driver Drill for Fixing Slice:

The alignment stick driver drill is a great tool to help fix a slice, a common ball flight issue that sends the ball curving to the right (for a right-handed golfer). Here's how to use this drill to correct a slice:

1. Setup: Place an alignment stick on the ground parallel to your target line, pointing directly at your target. Another alignment stick should be placed parallel to your ball-to-target line but aiming to the left (for a right-handed golfer, opposite for left-handed).
2. Positioning: Address the ball as you would normally, aligning your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the alignment stick on the ground. However, your clubface should be aligned with the stick pointing left (for a right-handed golfer).
3. Swing Thought: During your swing, focus on swinging along the alignment stick on the ground and matching your clubface angle with the stick pointing left. This helps you create an inside-out swing path and a square clubface at impact.
4. Practice Swings: Start with slow and controlled practice swings, ensuring your clubface matches the alignment stick's angle on the downswing.
5. Full Swing: Gradually build up to making full swings while maintaining the correct alignment stick angle and swing path. Keep your focus on swinging along the correct path and squaring the clubface at impact.

Q&A on Alignment Stick Driver Drill:

1. Q: Can this drill also help with a hook? A: Yes, this drill can help straighten out a hook by promoting an inside-out swing path.
2. Q: How far away should the alignment stick be from the ball? A: Place the stick a few inches away from the ball to provide enough space for the club to swing freely.
3. Q: Should I use this drill on the course or just at the range? A: Start on the range to work on your mechanics, then transition to using it on the course for real shots.
4. Q: Can I use an actual club as an alignment stick? A: Yes, you can use a club as long as you ensure it's properly aligned to your target.
5. Q: How often should I practice this drill? A: Incorporate it into your warm-up routine before a round and during practice sessions.
6. Q: Can this drill help with other swing issues? A: While its primary focus is on fixing a slice, it can also help with swing path and clubface control.
7. Q: Should I use a specific club for this drill? A: Start with your driver, as that's where a slice is most common, but you can also adapt it to other clubs.
8. Q: What's the most common mistake when using this drill? A: Not maintaining the correct alignment stick angle during the downswing, which affects swing path and clubface control.
9. Q: How quickly can I expect to see results? A: Improvement varies, but consistent practice can lead to positive changes in your ball flight.
10. Q: Can this drill help with fading the ball intentionally? A: Yes, by adjusting your clubface angle, you can use this drill to work on controlled fades.
11. Q: Is it better to start with slower swings? A: Yes, slow practice swings help you ingrain the correct feel and mechanics.
12. Q: What if I still slice after practicing this drill? A: Seek advice from a golf instructor for personalized guidance on your swing.
13. Q: Can I use this drill indoors? A: Yes, as long as you have enough space for your swing.
14. Q: How can I tell if I'm making progress? A: Track your ball flight and monitor the amount of slice. Improvement may involve less curvature.
15. Q: Can I use this drill for other types of shots? A: While its primary focus is on the full swing, you can adapt the concept for other shots.
16. Q: Can I use this drill with my irons as well? A: Yes, the principles of the drill can be applied to iron shots to promote a better swing path and clubface control.
17. Q: Can I use this drill to hit a draw? A: While the drill's focus is on fixing a slice, it can also be adapted to help promote a draw.
18. Q: Is this drill suitable for all skill levels? A: Yes, golfers of all levels can benefit from working on swing path and clubface control.
19. Q: Should I hit balls while using the alignment stick? A: Yes, hitting balls helps you apply the drill's principles to real shots.
20. Q: Can I use alignment sticks on the course during a round? A: Check with the course rules, but using alignment sticks for

Update:

Tips on the alignment stick driver drill for fixing a slice:

1. Place the alignment stick in the ground about 2 feet behind the ball, perpendicular to the target line.
2. Make sure your grip is correct. A strong grip can contribute to a slice, so make sure your left hand is slightly weaker than your right.
3. Take your stance and make a backswing, keeping the alignment stick in line with the target line.
4. On the downswing, focus on swinging the club from inside to out. This will help to close the clubface and prevent a slice.
5. Make sure to release the clubhead through impact. This will help to impart the correct spin on the ball.

Here are some additional tips:

• Start with short swings and gradually increase the length of your swings as you get more comfortable with the drill.
• Focus on making smooth, fluid swings. Avoid jerky or over-the-top movements.
• Be patient. It takes time and practice to fix a slice.

If you are still struggling to fix your slice, it is a good idea to get lessons from a qualified golf instructor. They can help you identify the specific causes of your slice and develop a plan to fix it.

Here are some other drills that can help to fix a slice:

• The towel drill: This drill helps to promote a closed clubface at impact. Place a towel under the heel of your club during your backswing. On the downswing, make sure to swing the club so that the towel flips up.
• The alignment stick drill: This drill helps to promote an inside-to-out swing path. Place an alignment stick in the ground about 1 foot in front of your ball. On the downswing, focus on swinging the club so that the alignment stick passes in front of your ball.
• The impact bag drill: This drill helps to promote a square clubface at impact. Place an impact bag on the ground about 2 feet in front of your ball. On the downswing, focus on hitting the ball so that it makes a clean impact with the bag.

With practice and patience, you should be able to fix your slice and start hitting more accurate and consistent drives.

Today is another slice tip now a lot of times people deliver the club from the outside the inside the over the top motion we know that that is an absolute killer for most people. If I had a dollar for everybody that comes from the outside of the inside I'd be rich so let me give you a way to stop the outside delivery with your driver. Take one of these alignment sticks place it in the ground a couple feet behind the golf ball as so and all you're going to do is you're going to hit little shots like so if I go from the outside I'm going to clobber my alignment stick.

So we get set up where to come here so we have this inside delivery and here we go 1 2 and what you're going to find is when you miss the alignment stick it forces you to come more from the inside when you come more from the inside the club can release the ball can get that hook spin and the ball can move from right to left. Obviously if you go this way that right or comes out over you're going to hit that alignment stick and that obviously is an over the top out to in type of upper body dominated transition. We want to really make sure the club comes from the inside and this little alignment stick drill is a great way for you not to come over the top of it because believe me you'll only do it once.