Understanding Lower-Body Weight Transfer in a Slice
One of the most common problems golfers face after taking up the game is the slice.
Everyone wonders why a slice occurs and spends time looking for a solution, but finding the answer is rarely easy.
I struggled with a slice for quite some time myself. As golfers gain experience, the problem can become more pronounced—or they may find themselves battling the opposite miss: a hook.
Today, I’ll begin with the first way to identify the cause of a slice.
A Powerful Swing Led by the Lower Body
Most golfers are told to shift their weight from right to left, so they make an aggressive move to the left with the lower body during the swing. But that is not quite the correct approach.
When the lower body starts turning from the top of the swing, the club can lag behind. This causes the clubface to arrive open at impact, imparting the spin that produces a slice.
The Correct Way to Transfer Your Weight
Viewed from face-on, the pressure should shift from the right calf and thigh to the left calf and thigh. The pelvis should not simply move from right to left.
In other words, the pelvis changes from having the right hip higher to having the left hip higher as it rotates in place [the pelvis rotates in place]; it does not slide horizontally from side to side.
Some lateral movement will naturally occur as you turn, of course. But the lower body should not move dramatically to the left and pull the upper body along with it.
I struggled with a slice myself because I had misunderstood this point.
Key Changes in Pelvic Position During Weight Transfer
- Backswing (weight 50% -> 20%): As the center of mass shifts toward the right foot, or trail foot, the pelvis rotates as much as -45° to the right. This creates an upward tilt of +10°, with the right side of the pelvis rising.
- Early downswing (weight 20%-> 60%): As pressure begins shifting back onto the left, or lead, foot, the pelvis quickly returns to a square position.
- Impact (weight 60% -> 85%): Strong ground-reaction force is applied through the left foot, and the pelvis opens +35° toward the target. At the same time, a squat-like motion appears as the left side of the pelvis drops or moves back (-10°), creating room for the swing.
- Finish (weight 85% -> 95%): Nearly all the weight is supported by the left heel. The pelvis faces fully toward the target (+90°), while the spine and pelvis regain a level alignment and straighten vertically.
How to Improve a Slice
Many golfers are reluctant to accept this as the cause. They assume they are swinging exactly as they were taught. But try recording your swing on a smartphone and watching it carefully in slow motion.
You will likely see your pelvis swaying and attempting to pull the upper body forward.
As a first step, I recommend practicing a swing using only the hands, without actively using the lower body.
Once you become comfortable swinging with your hands alone, you will have learned an emergency fix and can move on to correcting the swing properly.
Start by standing with your back against a wall and placing a handball- or watermelon-sized ball between your hips and the wall. Then practice making swings with your hands free of a club.
The goal is to keep the ball from rolling or falling as the swing changes from the right side of the pelvis being raised to the left side of the hips being raised.
In other words, the movement should be a turn in place—not a horizontal shift of the pelvis from right to left.
I hope this explanation of the cause of a slice and the possible solution proves helpful.
FAQ
Why is a slice most common among beginner golfers?
When people first take up golf, they often take literally the advice that they need to drive the lower body aggressively in order to gain distance. But when the pelvis shifts excessively toward the target in a horizontal movement, or sway, the upper body and club can arrive late, increasing the likelihood that the clubface will be open at impact. This can create rightward rotation, or side spin, causing the ball to slice.
Isn’t transferring your weight supposed to mean pushing the pelvis to the left?
Weight transfer and horizontal pelvic movement are two different things. Proper weight transfer is the natural shift of pressure from the right foot to the left. The pelvis should not slide significantly from side to side; it should rotate, changing from a position in which the right side is higher to one in which the left side is higher. Rather than forcing the pelvis to the left, focus on rotation and the shift in pressure.
What is the first exercise I can try to reduce a slice?
It may help to begin by minimizing lower-body movement and practicing the feel of a swing with the hands and arms, allowing the club to drop naturally. Then record your swing in slow motion on a smartphone to check whether your pelvis is swaying excessively. Practicing in place with a large ball held between your hips and a wall can also help you learn the correct pelvic rotation.
