| While there is only one type of swing in | | | | because the ball turns to the point of |
| golf, there are three variations of golf | | | | almost coming back to the one who hit |
| shots: Right curving, high-flying shots | | | | it. |
| that inevitably turn into slices; | | | | A more severe form of slicing is known |
| Low-flying shots that curve to the left | | | | as "shanking," in which the ball is hit |
| causing a hook; and the perfect straight | | | | on the heel of the club and shoots off |
| shot, which is neither too high nor too | | | | wildly to the right. Learn how to |
| low, and always manages to stay right in | | | | properly perform a slice so that it can |
| the middle of the fairway. | | | | be used to your advantage. First, play |
| You may think a straight shot is all | | | | the ball slightly ahead of the left |
| you'll ever need to master the game. | | | | foot. Place the club so that the toe is |
| But, the ability to perform a hook or | | | | slightly turned in and the shaft is not |
| slice at will gives you an edge over | | | | tilted forward, but rather, |
| other players when you all stand there | | | | perpendicular. |
| facing a fairway with a sharp dog-leg to | | | | Learning a hook is just as easy. For |
| the right. | | | | this type of shot, the club is |
| What's the secret to intentionally | | | | positioned back towards the right foot - |
| shooting a slice or hook? It's all | | | | just as you'd do for a bad lie. The |
| dependent upon how you set the club | | | | clubface, however, is kept square to the |
| before you begin the backswing. If the | | | | ball, with the shaft tilting forward. |
| club is set in an open position, then | | | | Your right foot is drawn back to the |
| the ball will veer off to the right. | | | | right of the intended line of the shot. |
| Closing the clubface will reverse the | | | | Sometimes, the lie of the ball will |
| effect, and cause the ball to turn left | | | | affect the body's pivot, and result in a |
| in flight. Keeping the clubface square | | | | hook or a slice. If the ball lands on |
| will result in a straight shot, down the | | | | ground that is higher than the player, |
| middle of the fairway. | | | | it results in a hook. Likewise, a low |
| In order to master these techniques, you | | | | ball position results in a slice. To |
| must first have a thorough understanding | | | | offset these tenancies, the player can |
| of each type of shot and its effects on | | | | adjust the aim of their stance and play |
| the ball itself. A slice almost acts | | | | with an open or closed clubface. |
| like a boomerang - flying high to the | | | | How do you use the eight steps if you're |
| left and making a sharp turn to the | | | | a left-handed player? Simple. You just |
| right. | | | | reverse both of the four step sections |
| Slices can be helpful when you have a | | | | for positioning and swing. It's the |
| fairway that curves to the right. | | | | same as if a right-handed player finds |
| However, people who slice each and every | | | | himself up against a tree or other |
| shot are faced with the dilemma of | | | | fairway obstacle that prevents him from |
| limiting the distance they can achieve | | | | taking a full right-handed swing. |