What Is a Push Slice?
A push slice is a shot that starts to the right of the target and curves farther right for a right-handed golfer. For a left-handed golfer, the directions are reversed.
The key impact condition behind a push slice is this:
The clubface is open to the target at impact and open to the swing path.
The clubface largely determines where the ball starts, while the relationship between the clubface and swing path determines the curve. Because a push slice starts right, the face is pointing right of the target at impact. Because it curves right, the face is also open relative to the path.
The Main Cause: An Open Clubface
With a push slice, the most important factor is the clubface position at impact.
If the ball starts right of the target, the face is open to the target line. If it then curves even more right, the face is also open compared to the direction the clubhead is traveling.
So before focusing only on swing path, remember this priority:
- Face angle controls the starting direction.
- Face-to-path relationship controls the curve.
- A push slice requires an open face at impact.
A Push Slice Can Happen With Different Swing Paths
Unlike some other slice patterns, a push slice can happen with several different swing paths. The path can be out-to-in, neutral, or in-to-out. What matters most is that the face is open to both the target and the path.
1. Out-to-In Path With an Open Face
This is common among higher-handicap golfers.
With an out-to-in swing path, the clubhead travels across the ball from outside the target line to inside. If the face is open to the target and even more open relative to the path, the ball starts right and curves sharply right.
This pattern usually produces the most slice spin because the difference between the swing path and face angle is large.
2. Neutral Path With an Open Face
A golfer can also have a fairly neutral path and still hit a push slice.
In this case, the clubhead is traveling close to the target line, but the clubface is open. The ball starts right because of the open face, and it curves right because the face is open to the path.
This tends to create a moderate push slice with less curve than an out-to-in path.
3. In-to-Out Path With an Open Face
Better players may hit a push slice from an in-to-out path.
Here, the clubhead approaches from the inside, but the face is still open to both the target and the path. The ball often starts farther right, but the amount of curve may be smaller than with an out-to-in path.
This shot may look like a ball that starts well right and gently falls farther right.
Why Understanding Face and Path Matters
Many golfers assume every slice comes from an out-to-in swing path. While that is often true, it is not always the case with a push slice.
You may be:
- Swinging out-to-in with an open face
- Swinging on a neutral path with an open face
- Swinging in-to-out with an open face
That is why diagnosing the push slice correctly is important. If you only work on path but never improve the clubface, the ball may continue to start right and curve right.
How to Check Your Push Slice Pattern
To better understand your push slice, pay attention to two things:
-
Where does the ball start?
If it starts right, the face is open to the target at impact. -
Which way does it curve?
If it curves farther right, the face is open to the swing path.
If you have access to a launch monitor or swing analyzer, check your club path and face angle. This can help you determine whether your path is out-to-in, neutral, or in-to-out.
Key Takeaway
The defining cause of a push slice is an open clubface at impact. The clubface is open to the target, causing the ball to start right, and open to the swing path, causing the ball to curve farther right.
Your path may vary, but the first thing to address is face control. Once you understand where the face is pointing and how it relates to your swing path, you can start making the right corrections.
