What Is a Pull Slice in Golf?
A pull slice is a golf shot that starts left of the target and then curves sharply to the right with slice spin.
For a right-handed golfer, a pull slice starts left and curves right. For a left-handed golfer, reverse the directions.
What a Pull Slice Looks Like
A pull slice has two clear features:
- The ball starts left of the target line
- The ball then slices excessively to the right
Because the ball begins left, it may look like it is headed in a decent direction at first. But as the slice spin takes over, the shot curves away from the target and often finishes well to the right.
Why a Pull Slice Is a Problem
A pull slice usually costs you both accuracy and distance. The excessive side spin makes the ball curve too much, and that glancing spin can reduce how far the shot carries and rolls.
Quick Way to Identify a Pull Slice
Ask yourself these two questions after the shot:
- Did the ball start left of the target?
- Did it curve significantly to the right?
If the answer to both is yes, you likely hit a pull slice.
Key Takeaway
A pull slice is not just a slice, and it is not just a pull. It is a shot that starts left and then curves hard right, making it difficult to control direction and maintain distance.
