If you’re sick of watching your ball veer off into oblivion, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Slicing is one of the most common problems amateur golfers face, and it can be incredibly frustrating. But fear not, because I’m The Golf Hacker, and today, I’m bringing you 5 unusual drills that could be your ticket to eliminating that slice for good. These unconventional drills might look a little strange on the range, but they’re effective—and they just might bring that wayward ball back into the fairway.

1. The Towel Under the Arm Drill

This drill is about maintaining proper arm connection throughout your swing, which helps you control the clubface. Take a small towel and tuck it under your lead arm (left arm for right-handed golfers). Make a few swings while keeping the towel in place. If the towel drops, it means your lead arm is coming away from your body, which often leads to an open clubface and a slice.

2. Swing the Pool Noodle

Grab a pool noodle from your local store—it might seem silly, but this drill works wonders for your swing path. Stick the pool noodle into the ground or secure it somehow so that it’s angled along your target line. Now, take your normal stance and try to swing underneath the noodle. This drill encourages an inside-to-outside swing path, which is critical for preventing the out-to-in slice swing that so many golfers struggle with.

3. Step Back Drill

A slice can often be caused by improper weight transfer during the swing. The Step Back Drill is designed to get you shifting weight properly. Start with your normal stance, then take a small step backward with your back foot as you begin your backswing. This forces you to stay balanced and prevents an over-the-top downswing, which is a major culprit of slicing.

4. One-Handed Swings

One-handed swings are great for feeling the correct release and timing. Take your driver and make some swings using only your lead hand. This will help you understand how to properly rotate your forearm through impact and close the clubface, which is essential for preventing slices.

5. The Wall Drill

Stand close to a wall, so when you swing back, the butt of your club almost touches it. This drill helps prevent an over-the-top swing by making sure your hands don’t push out too far away from your body. It helps you stay on plane and encourages an inside-out swing path—ideal for eliminating that slice.

Wrapping It Up

These five unusual drills might make you look a little quirky out on the range, but remember—it’s all in the name of straightening that ball flight. Practice them consistently, and you’ll notice significant improvements in your swing path, clubface control, and, most importantly, a reduction in your dreaded slice. Fixing your slice doesn’t always mean sticking with the same old advice—sometimes you need a little creativity to unlock your potential.

Until next time, keep hacking the game and having fun out there!

Hello, fellow putt-chasers and green-readers! Today, we’re tackling one of golf’s most perplexing, elusive, and downright sneaky challenges: reading the greens. We all know that putting can make or break a round, and yet the greens have this magical way of leading us astray with subtle slopes and invisible breaks. So grab your putter, put on your thinking cap, and let’s get to decoding the mysteries of the green!

1. Survey the Land Like a Pro
   The first rule of green reading is to channel your inner explorer. Walk around the green, squat down at eye level, and give yourself a 360-degree view of the terrain. Look for subtle slopes, the general direction of the grain, and any little imperfections in the grass. Imagine yourself as an intrepid explorer, reading the land and plotting the path to glory. Just don’t look too serious, or your buddies might think you’re looking for buried treasure.
2. The Art of the “Plumb Bob” (a.k.a. The Mysterious Putter-Dangle)
   If you’ve ever seen a golfer hold their putter up and stare at it like they’re trying to solve a complicated math equation, you’ve witnessed the art of the “plumb bob.” While some argue that it’s more golf folklore than science, others swear by it. The idea is simple: hold the putter vertically in front of your face, close one eye, and let the shaft reveal the slope’s direction. Is it magic? Maybe. But it’s golf, so we take all the help we can get.
3. Trust Your Feet
   Reading the green isn’t just a visual exercise—your feet can be your secret weapon. Walk around the putt line and feel for any subtle slopes. Trust your feet to tell you what your eyes might miss. Are you leaning left? Right? Feeling a slight downhill? Your feet are like the detectives of green reading. Just be discreet about it—nobody wants to see you doing a tap-dance routine out there.
4. Visualize the Path (and Ignore the Doubts)
   Picture the ball’s path to the hole like you’re directing a mini action movie. Visualize it rolling along the line, breaking perfectly, and dropping into the cup with a satisfying clink. Close your eyes if you have to, and ignore any doubts creeping in. If your inner critic whispers “This putt’s gonna lip out,” tell it to take a hike. Remember: confidence is half the battle.
5. Embrace the Speed Factor
   Slope and break mean nothing if you can’t get the speed right. If you’re putting downhill, lighten your touch, and if it’s uphill, give it a little extra oomph. There’s no room for timid putts here—embrace the power of the speed. Get it wrong, and you could be dealing with a nasty three-putt. Get it right, and you’ll look like a genius. (Or at least, feel like one.)
6. Accept That Greens Have a Mind of Their Own
   Let’s face it: sometimes the green just doesn’t care about your best-laid plans. You’ve read the slope, trusted your feet, and visualized the perfect line… and then the ball takes a left turn that defies physics. When that happens, smile, shake it off, and remember that greens have personalities. Some are friendly, some are downright hostile, and some are just having an off day.

So there you have it, my fellow putters—the fine art of reading the greens. Whether you’re plumb-bobbing like a mystic, trusting your feet to find the line, or simply embracing the unpredictable nature of it all, remember that putting is as much an art as it is a science. So approach each putt with a calm mind, a steady hand, and a healthy dose of humor. Until next time, may your reads be right, your putts be pure, and your greens be kind. Putt on, my friends!

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just getting started, one thing remains true: practice makes perfect. In a game where precision and control reign supreme, regular practice is essential to lower your scores and boost your confidence on the course. Yet, it’s not just about time spent; it’s about the quality of the drills and techniques you incorporate into your practice routine.

Think about the pros you see on TV—what separates them from casual players isn’t just talent, but their dedication to mastering the fundamentals. The benefits of structured, focused practice are immense: it sharpens your mental game, improves your muscle memory, and builds consistency over time. By focusing on key areas like putting, ball striking, and your swing mechanics, you can unlock your full potential on the course.

Golf is unique because every aspect of the game requires a different set of skills. A powerful, accurate driver won’t mean much if you can’t sink the putt when you’re on the green. That’s why we’ve compiled a set of the best drills to help golfers of any level improve. Whether you need to correct a slice, add more distance to your shots, or improve your touch around the green, these drills will guide you to becoming a more well-rounded player.

1. Alignment Stick Drill
   • Place an alignment stick on the ground to check the path of your swing. This helps ensure your club follows the correct line, improving accuracy. Focus on keeping your clubface square to the target as you swing along the stick.
     
2. Lag Putting Drill
   • For better control on the greens, practice long putts. Place markers at different distances and work on lagging the ball to within a 3-foot radius of each marker. This will help build confidence in your putting touch.
     
3. Swing Plane Drill
   • Attach a towel or club across your chest and rotate your shoulders to simulate a proper swing plane. This drill helps in maintaining proper body rotation and avoiding over-the-top swings, which often lead to slicing or pulling the ball.
     
4. Impact Bag Drill
   • Using an impact bag helps you focus on the moment your club strikes the ball. Practice hitting the bag to work on delivering maximum force at impact, improving ball striking and overall distance.
5. Gate Drill
   • To improve your putting stroke, place two tees just wider than the width of your putter head and practice hitting putts between them without touching the tees. This drill encourages a straight, smooth stroke, which is critical for sinking putts consistently.
6. Weight Transfer Drill
   • Take swings focusing on shifting your weight from your back foot to your front foot. This drill helps you generate more power and control by encouraging a full body rotation, which is essential for distance and accuracy.
     
7. Club-Behind-Back Rotation Drill
   • Hold a club behind your back with both hands and rotate your shoulders back and forth. This exercise helps improve flexibility and shoulder rotation, which are key to achieving a fuller backswing and follow-through.
8. Pitching Ladder Drill
   • Set up targets at varying distances and practice pitching the ball to land as close to each target as possible. This drill enhances your control and touch with wedges, crucial for lowering scores around the green.
9. Chip-to-Towel Drill
   • Place a towel on the green at a specific distance and practice chipping balls so they land on the towel. This drill sharpens your feel for distance control, an essential skill for precision around the green.

By incorporating these drills into your regular practice routine, you’ll develop better accuracy, distance control, and consistency, all of which will help lower your scores and improve your overall golf game.