The Drill That Tames Your Slice

September 25, 2025 · ByCorbs

Right, let's get straight to it. We know from our Learn Fundamental blog articles that the slice is almost always caused by a steep, "over-the-top" swing path. Your instinct is to swing "out," but your first move is to throw the club "over", causing that nasty out-to-in path that puts sidespin on the ball.

Talk is one thing, but feeling the correct path is another. This drill uses the SwingMate to create a physical barrier that makes it nearly impossible to come over the top. It forces you to feel the correct path from the inside.

The Goal

To retrain your swing path from out-to-in to in-to-out, shallowing out your swing and promoting a draw.

Watch video lesson to fix your slice

Pro Coach helps student fix his grip and slice

Right-handed draw target line and swing path illustration — Draw target line and swing path illustration for right-handed golfer

Left-handed draw target line and swing path illustration — Draw target line and swing path illustration for left-handed golfer

Right-handed draw gate drill alignment stick angles for SwingMate — Recommended starting positions for SwingMate's two-rod draw gate drill for a right-handed golfer

Left-handed fade gate drill alignment stick angles for SwingMate — Recommended starting positions for SwingMate's two-rod draw gate drill for a left-handed golfer

The Setup

This drill uses two hinges to create a "gate" that guides your club and hands. We'll use the specific settings from the SwingMate manual to get you started.

Place the Base: Place the SwingMate base on your trail side (the right side for a right-handed golfer).
Set the Target Line: Slide the short 400mm rod through the center hole to point at your ball, establishing your target line.
Use the "Draw" Holes: For a right-hander, feed the two 600mm rods into the holes marked RH DRAW. This sets the base on the correct angle to encourage an inside path.
Hinge 1 (Hand Path): Attach the first hinge. Set the Base Angle to 45° and the Rod Angle to 40°. Insert the 1.2m foldable rod. This rod creates a ceiling for your hands. To miss it, you'll need to drop your hands into the slot.
Hinge 2 (Swing Plane): Attach the second hinge. Set the Base Angle to 0° and the Rod Angle to 60°. Insert the 1.6m foldable rod. This creates the outer wall of your swing plane.

The Drill

Your station is now set. You'll see a diagonal "gate" that your club must swing through.

Slow Motion First: Take slow, half-speed practice swings. Your only thought is to swing the club under both rods without hitting them. You will immediately feel how the club needs to drop from the inside, rather than being thrown out and over.
Feel the Change: For a lifelong slicer, this will feel very strange. You'll feel the club approaching the ball from behind you. This is the feeling you've been searching for.
Build Speed Gradually: Once you can consistently miss the rods with slow swings, start to gradually build up your speed. Don't rush it. The goal is to build the new motor pattern.
The Result: By forcing you to swing "under" and "through the gate," this drill physically stops you from making your old slicing motion. You're not just thinking about a new path; you're being guided by a physical constraint. This is the fastest way to turn that slice into a powerful draw.