How To Stop Hitting The Golf Ball Right: Fix Slices Fast

Square the clubface, fix your swing path, and align your body to stop hitting the ball right.

I’ve helped golfers of all levels solve the same problem—how to stop hitting the golf ball right—by breaking the swing into simple, repeatable fixes. This guide blends clear technique, drills you can do on the range, and real-life tips I’ve used and taught. Read on to get step-by-step actions that work, whether you slice a tee shot or push irons to the right.

Why you keep hitting the ball right

Hitting the ball to the right is one of the most common misses. Many players see the ball start right and fade or push away. Understanding the root causes is the first step to fixing how to stop hitting the golf ball right.

Common technical causes include an open clubface at impact, an out-to-in swing path, incorrect alignment, and ball position that is too far forward. Physical issues such as poor hip rotation, weak grip pressure, or an overactive upper body can also create a right miss. Mental habits, like trying to steer the ball left, often make the problem worse.

I’ve seen players change one small thing—like rotating the forearms through impact—and stop hitting the golf ball right almost immediately. Later sections show drills to fix each cause.

Setup fixes to stop hitting the golf ball right

A correct setup removes many right-side misses before you swing. If you want to know how to stop hitting the golf ball right, start here.

• Check alignment. Aim your feet, hips, and shoulders slightly left of the target if your natural ball flight fades right. Use an alignment stick to practice.
• Correct ball position. Move the ball slightly back in your stance for irons if you tend to push or slice. For drivers, the ball should be opposite the inside of your left heel.
• Grip neutral. A weak (too left-hand dominant) grip encourages an open face. Turn your hands slightly to the right on the club to produce a more neutral face at impact.

In my coaching, simple alignment drills on the range created reliable changes. Once setup issues were fixed, players often stopped hitting the golf ball right.

Swing path and clubface control

The swing path and clubface at impact control direction. Learn how to stop hitting the golf ball right by managing both.

• Swing path: Work toward an in-to-out or neutral path. An out-to-in path makes the ball go right. Practice making small inside feels on takeaway.
• Clubface: Aim to have the clubface square at impact. If the face is open, the ball starts right. Use impact bag or short-swing drills to feel the face closing.
• Sequencing: Lead with the lower body and let the arms follow. This helps the club come back to the ball on a better plane.

When I corrected a player’s over-the-top move with a slow, inside takeaway drill, their right miss disappeared within a few range sessions. For many, path and face changes are the fastest route to stop hitting the golf ball right.

Grip, hands, and wrist action

Small grip changes lead to big directional changes. To stop hitting the golf ball right, check these hand details.

• Grip pressure: Hold the club firmly but not tight. Tension in the forearms can block release and leave the face open.
• Wrist set: Avoid an early wrist breakdown that leaves an open face. Hold a slight right wrist set on the backswing.
• Release: Practice a full release where the palms rotate through impact. A weak release often causes right starts.

From my experience, many club releases are corrected with simple mirror work and half-swing drills. Those drills help players learn a natural, square-feeling impact and stop hitting the golf ball right.

Ball position, stance, and alignment details

Tiny changes in where the ball sits and how you stand make the biggest difference when trying to stop hitting the golf ball right.

• Ball position: Move ball back for irons and slightly forward for driver. Too far forward encourages pushes and fades.
• Stance width: Narrower stance can promote better rotation. Too wide a stance restricts hip turn and causes an out-to-in swing.
• Aim check: Use clubs on the ground to ensure your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders are parallel to the target line.

I recommend videotaping your setup. Seeing your address position helps spot subtle aim or ball position errors that cause rightward misses. Correcting those helps stop hitting the golf ball right consistently.

Drills to stop hitting the golf ball right

Drills are the fastest way to train a new feel. Practice these regularly to eliminate right-side misses.

• Towel under arms drill. Place a towel under both armpits and make short swings to keep the arms connected. This reduces scooping and out-to-in swings.
• Alignment stick path drill. Place a stick a few inches outside the ball pointing along the target line. Swing inside the stick on the takeaway and through impact.
• Impact bag drill. Hit the bag with a medium swing and focus on a square face at impact. Feel the hands rotating through.
• Gate drill for release. Set two tees slightly wider than the clubhead and swing through without hitting tees to groove a clean release.
• Half-swing mirror drill. Use a mirror to check clubface and path at waist height. Make small adjustments and repeat.

I used the impact bag and gate drills with a weekend group. Within four sessions, most players reduced their right misses by practicing five minutes daily. These drills are practical and repeatable for how to stop hitting the golf ball right.

Short game and iron play: fine-tuning direction

Stopping the ball right must include irons and short game. Poor contact or aim can send short shots right too.

• Check setup on chips and pitches. A slightly closed stance can help control the face and prevent right pushes.
• Use a square-face drill for wedges. Focus on hitting the ball first with a solid, slightly descending blow.
• Practice controlled fades and draws to learn how face and path create direction. Knowing both shots helps you fix the right miss.

In my lessons, improving short game alignment gave immediate confidence. When players fixed their wedge face control, they stopped hitting the golf ball right around the greens.

Equipment and fitting considerations

Sometimes the gear matters. To learn how to stop hitting the golf ball right, inspect your clubs.

• Shaft flex: Too stiff or too flexible shafts can alter timing and path. A clubfitting session helps match shaft flex to your swing.
• Clubface loft and lie: A lie angle that’s too upright or flat can misdirect shots. Lie angle checks often solve persistent right-side misses.
• Grip size: Too large or small grips affect wrist action and release. Proper grip size supports neutral control.

I’ve seen right-side misses disappear after a simple lie-angle adjustment and new grips. Equipment is less often the only cause, but it can be the missing piece.

Mental approach and practice plan

Stopping the ball right is partly physical and partly mental. A clear plan reduces fear and overcorrection.

• Visualize a target line and commit to it. Doubt makes you steer the ball left and push it right.
• Use a focused practice routine: 10 minutes alignment drills, 15 minutes path and face drills, 10 minutes coached pattern shots.
• Track progress with video and notes. Small data points reveal what changed and what worked.

From my experience, players who follow a short, daily plan build confidence fast. A steady mental approach helps you stop hitting the golf ball right and keeps the fix durable.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few habits undo progress. Avoid these to keep your right-side miss from returning.

• Over-rotating the upper body to “hit the ball left.” This often causes the clubface to remain open and the ball to go right.
• Changing multiple things at once. Tackle one adjustment at a time.
• Ignoring basic setup. Small setup errors compound into large directional misses.

When I coach, I make players choose one fix per week. That simplicity prevents confusion and helps them stop hitting the golf ball right for good.

Personal experience and lessons learned

I’ve coached mid-handicap players who thought they had a swing problem but only needed minor changes. One student had a persistent right push. We adjusted ball position back a half club and improved his release with the gate drill. Within a week he hit fairways for the first time in months.

Another client had equipment issues. After a quick fitting, the lie angle change removed a stubborn right miss. These real cases show that how to stop hitting the golf ball right is often a mix of simple technique and small gear tweaks.

PAA-style questions (short, helpful)

What is the easiest way to stop hitting the golf ball right?
The easiest way is to square the clubface at impact and correct an out-to-in swing path with simple drills. Start with alignment checks and an impact bag drill.

How does grip affect hitting the ball right?
A weak grip leaves the clubface open at impact and causes the ball to start right. Turning your hands slightly to a neutral grip often fixes the direction.

Can ball position cause a right miss?
Yes. Ball too far forward can push or slice shots. Move the ball back a small amount for irons to produce a straighter flight.

How long does it take to fix a right-side miss?
With focused practice, many golfers see improvement in days to weeks. Consistent daily drills make changes stick faster.

Do equipment issues really cause shots to go right?
Yes. Incorrect lie angle, shaft flex, or grip size can change impact and direction. A brief fitting can reveal and fix these problems.

Frequently Asked Questions about how to stop hitting the golf ball right

Why does my golf ball keep going right off the tee?

Most tee shots that go right are caused by an open clubface at impact or an out-to-in swing path. Check your alignment, grip, and path with simple drills to correct it.

Will closing my stance stop hitting the ball right?

A slightly closed stance can help some players square the face and prevent pushes. Use it as a temporary training aid while you correct face and path issues.

Are slices and pushes the same cause of a right miss?

Not always. A slice usually involves an open face and side spin, while a push often comes from alignment or an inside release issue. Diagnose the start line and spin to tell them apart.

How do I practice without the range feeling boring?

Use short, focused sessions with a clear goal: 10 minutes on alignment, 10 minutes on path, 10 minutes on release. Small wins keep practice fun and effective.

Should I change my clubs if I keep missing right?

Only after checking technique. If issues persist despite good mechanics, a club fitting can reveal lies, shaft flex, or grip problems that cause rightward misses.

Conclusion

To stop hitting the golf ball right, work on setup, grip, swing path, and clubface control with simple, repeatable drills. Start small: one change at a time, practice consistently, and use video or a coach to confirm progress. You have control over these fixes—apply a short practice plan, track changes, and stay patient. Try one drill today, note the result, and come back to refine it. Leave a comment with your biggest challenge or subscribe for more practical tips and drills.