If you can spot the ace of diamonds on the chest you've opened the shoulders too much at impact
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PGA pro John Hoskison, who plays on the European Seniors Tour, offers some quick tips to help golfers improve their game.
How to stop slicing must be one of the most popular questions a golfer asks a golf professional. Apart from 'the shank' it's probably the most destructive shot in the game but it's also one of the easiest faults to cure.
All you have to do is use a little imagination.
When a golfer slices the ball, I can guarantee, at the moment of impact, the shoulders have spun open and - for an orthodox right-handed golfer - the chest will pointing left of target.
This is caused by an out-to-in swing where the clubhead approaches the ball on a path which, from behind the golfer, slices across the ball from right to left, causing the shot to curve high on a spinning left to right trajectory.
Here's a swing thought to help you control the shoulders, change the path of the golf club towards the ball and ultimately reduce the chances of hitting that dreadful slice.
Imagine that you have pinned to your chest a playing card - for example the Ace of Diamonds - and make a practice swing. Between you and the target have someone stand to see if they can see the card as you swing down to impact.
If they can see the card your shoulders have spun open too much and you would be attacking the ball an out-to-in path. If you can hide the card until you've hit the ball you will have stopped the shoulders from spinning open and the arms - and subsequently the clubhead - will have swung down on the correct line.
John Hoskison is attached to the Newbury Golf Centre and plays on the European Seniors Tour, having earned a conditional card after finishing 10th at Qualifying School at the Pestana. He returned to the UK to rebuild his career in tournament golf after spending time in China, where he was instrumental in the building a driving range for underprivileged children Fuzhou. He won the 2005 Jamega Tour Order of Merit with six victories from 12 starts. For further information visit John's website at www.johnhoskisongolf.com.
