Seeing your golf ball veer right (for a right-handed golfer) can be frustrating, especially when you’re confident you made a decent swing. This tendency, often called a slice or push, is one of the most common ball flight problems in golf. Understanding why it happens — and how to fix it — requires breaking down swing mechanics, equipment factors, and even mental approach.
Understanding Ball Flight Laws
Every golf ball’s direction is influenced by two main factors:
Clubface angle at impact – The direction the face is pointing when it strikes the ball.
Swing path – The direction your club is traveling during the moment of impact.
The face angle primarily determines the starting direction of your ball, while the path relative to that face determines whether it curves right or left. If you’re a right-handed golfer and the ball goes right:
A clubface open to your target line (and to the path) causes a slice or push.
A swing path that moves from outside-in relative to the target line can also send the ball curving right.
Common Reasons Your Golf Ball Goes Right
1. Open Clubface at Impact
An open face means the clubface is pointing right of your target at impact.
Causes:
Weak grip (hands rotated too far to the left on the grip).
Poor wrist rotation through the swing.
Decelerating through impact.
Result: Ball starts right and may keep curving further right.
Fix: Strengthen your grip slightly, focus on rotating your forearms and wrists through impact, and ensure a smooth acceleration.
2. Out-to-In Swing Path (Over-the-Top Move)
When your downswing cuts across the ball from outside the target line to inside, the clubface often stays open relative to the path.
Causes:
Rushing the downswing.
Poor weight transfer (staying on the back foot).
Pulling the lead shoulder up and away too soon.
Result: Slice spin — ball starts left and curves right, or starts straight and curves right.
Fix: Practice drills that promote an inside-to-out path, such as placing a headcover outside your target line and avoiding it during the downswing.
3. Weak Grip Position
A grip that is too weak (hands rotated toward target) limits your ability to square the clubface.
Causes:
Setting up with the “V” between your thumb and forefinger pointing toward your chin instead of your right shoulder.
Result: Ball starts right with little chance to draw back.
Fix: Rotate your hands slightly to the right (for right-handed golfers) so the “V” points between your chin and right shoulder.
4. Improper Alignment and Aim
Sometimes the issue isn’t the swing — it’s your setup.
Causes:
Shoulders, hips, and feet aimed right of the target without realizing it.
Overcompensating for a past slice by aiming left, making the path even more outside-in.
Result: Pushes or slices due to path/face mismatch.
Fix: Use alignment sticks or pick an intermediate target just in front of your ball to square your setup.
5. Ball Position Too Far Forward
If your ball is positioned too far forward in your stance, the clubface is more likely to be open at impact.
Causes:
Forward ball position with irons and hybrids.
Driver teed too far toward lead foot without compensating in swing.
Result: Push or slice depending on swing path.
Fix: Move the ball slightly back in your stance for irons and fairway woods. For drivers, ensure your setup encourages a square face at impact.
6. Poor Weight Transfer
Failing to shift weight to your front foot during the downswing can lead to scooping and an open face.
Causes:
Hanging back on your trail foot.
Fear of hitting the ground behind the ball.
Result: Weak, high shots that drift right.
Fix: Practice drills focusing on moving your belt buckle toward the target as you swing down.
7. Overactive Upper Body in the Downswing
When the shoulders dominate the downswing instead of the lower body, the club can come over the top, opening the face.
Causes:
Tension in the shoulders.
Trying to “hit” the ball too hard.
Result: Slice spin and loss of power.
Fix: Start your downswing by shifting weight and rotating your hips, letting your arms and club follow naturally.
8. Equipment Mismatch
Your clubs might be working against you.
Causes:
Too stiff of a shaft flex, making it harder to square the face.
Driver loft too low, increasing sidespin effect.
Lie angle too flat, causing ball flight to drift right.
Result: Pushes and slices that are hard to fix without equipment adjustments.
Fix: Get a professional club fitting to ensure shaft flex, loft, and lie angle suit your swing.
9. Mental or Pressure-Related Swing Changes
Nervousness, tight fairways, or water hazards can cause subconscious swing changes.
Causes:
Tensing up and restricting wrist rotation.
Decelerating to “guide” the ball.
Result: Push or slice due to lack of release.
Fix: Develop a pre-shot routine, breathe deeply, and trust your swing.
Diagnostic Chart: Why Your Ball Goes Right
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Ball Flight | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball starts right and stays right | Open clubface at impact | Push | Strengthen grip, rotate forearms |
| Ball starts straight, then curves right | Clubface open to path, outside-in path | Slice | Improve inside-to-out path |
| Ball starts left, then curves right | Outside-in swing with open face | Pull slice | Focus on squaring face and path |
| Ball high and weak, drifting right | Poor weight transfer, open face | Weak fade | Shift weight forward through impact |
| Ball consistently right with all clubs | Weak grip or alignment issue | Push or push fade | Adjust grip and setup alignment |
How to Fix a Right-Moving Golf Ball Step-by-Step
Check Your Grip
Look down at address: you should see 2–3 knuckles of your lead hand.
Make sure the “V” formed by thumb and forefinger points toward your trail shoulder.
Square Your Setup
Use an alignment stick or club on the ground pointing to the target.
Align feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to that line.
Improve Swing Path
Place a headcover or towel just outside the ball.
Practice swinging from inside to out without hitting the object.
Release the Club
Feel your trail hand rolling over the lead hand through impact.
Imagine hitting a tennis topspin forehand to train proper wrist rotation.
Check Equipment
Have a fitter check lie angles and shaft flex.
Adjust loft to reduce excessive side spin.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried the above fixes and still struggle, a PGA teaching pro can:
Use video analysis to pinpoint your exact face/path mismatch.
Recommend drills tailored to your swing flaws.
Test different clubs and settings to reduce rightward misses.
A single lesson can sometimes fix a slice or push that’s been haunting you for years.
The Key Takeaway
A ball that goes right for a right-handed golfer almost always comes down to clubface control and swing path. The good news: once you identify whether your issue is an open face, an outside-in path, or both, you can apply specific fixes and see immediate results. With consistent practice and possibly minor equipment tweaks, your shots can start flying straighter — or even drawing — down the fairway.
