How Tony Finau ‘slice-proofed’ his swing with simple change which could make ‘huge difference’ for amateur golfers

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Watching a ball curve off to the right and away from the intended target is a frightening experience for most amateur golfers.

A sliced tee shot or approach can be extremely demoralising, especially when the root of the problem is not known. Is it the club face? The club path? The follow-through?

Ultimately, all these questions probably cause more harm than good. As all amateurs know, multiple swing thoughts can prove highly troublesome.

However, there’s no need to worry; Tony Finau, who has been heavily linked to LIV Golf, is here to help.

Tony Finau’s first piece of advice to stop a slice

Writing in a Golf Digest column, Finau highlighted the importance of the grip for those who send the ball way out to the right.

“Here’s how I ‘slice-proofed’ my golf swing,” Finau wrote. “I used to have my right hand too much on top of the grip and my right arm straight at setup. If you’d laid a club across my forearms, it would’ve pointed dead left. To offset that, I’d roll the clubface open going back. That one move set up my slice,” the American said.

“The first change Boyd and I made was to move my right hand more under the grip. I quickly started curving the ball less. You might think tour pros make only sophisticated changes, but that simple move made a huge difference. If I feel a little off one day, it’s the first thing we check.

“The stronger right hand also helps me put some bend in my right arm and set it close to my side. As Boyd is showing (above), I want my right arm under my left. The feel for me is, the right elbow is bent and tucked. This change—and the new grip—helps me get a good start to my swing, with the clubface rotating naturally. I don’t even think about the face.”

The six-time PGA Tour winner has actually proven quite helpful when it comes to hints and tips. Just recently, Finau also detailed the best way for amateurs to get out of bunkers at the first attempt.

• READ MORE: Tiger Woods’ former coach reacts to rumours Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau could join LIV Golf

How many golfers struggle with a slice?

It’s believed around 60% of golfers struggle with a slice with over-the-top motions extremely common within the amateur scene.

Finau’s advice could prove helpful for those who are aware of what they’re potentially doing wrong. For amateurs who aren’t, let’s take it back to basics.

If you suffer from a slice, there’s a good chance your club is open at impact. When it’s open, it’s pointing to the right of the target. Finau’s fix, in theory, should get that club face slightly closed and point to the left.

The swing path is also key, however.

A closed club face combined with an over-the-top swing could lead to a shank or snap hook to the left. Looking to deliver the club from the ‘inside’ will massively help slice-proof a swing moving forward.