If you’re like most golfers over 40, you’ve probably spent hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars on golf lessons, new clubs, and YouTube videos trying to figure out one frustrating problem:

Why do I keep slicing the golf ball?

You aim farther left.

You buy a driver that’s “anti-slice.”

You strengthen your grip.

For a few holes it seems better…

Then the slice comes right back.

The reason is simple.

You’re treating the symptom instead of fixing the cause.

Most slices happen because the club approaches the ball from outside the target line, commonly called coming over the top.

One of my favorite drills to fix this movement is the Throw-Then-Go Drill because it teaches your body what the correct downswing should actually feel like.

Let’s look at why the slice happens and how this drill can help you finally eliminate it.

What Causes a Slice?

A slice occurs when the clubface is open relative to the swing path.

For most golfers, the swing path travels:

Outside → Inside

instead of

Inside → Outside

This creates left-to-right spin (for a right-handed golfer).

The ball starts left…

Then curves dramatically to the right.

Common Signs You’re Coming Over the Top

Pull slices
Weak fades
Loss of distance
Toe strikes
Heel strikes
Divots pointing left
Steep downswing
Poor compression
Inconsistent contact

If these sound familiar, you’re probably starting your downswing with your shoulders and arms instead of allowing your lower body to initiate the movement.

Why Golfers Come Over the Top

Many golfers believe they’re making the correct swing.

The problem is…

The downswing happens in less than one-third of a second.

You simply can’t feel everything happening.

Instead, your body uses movement patterns it’s developed over years.

Common causes include:

Poor hip mobility
Limited thoracic rotation
Weak glutes
Poor core stability
Limited shoulder mobility
Trying to hit the ball too hard
Standing up through impact (early extension)

The result?

Your upper body dominates the downswing.

The club moves over the top.

The slice appears.

The Throw-Then-Go Drill

The Throw-Then-Go Drill teaches golfers what an inside delivery actually feels like.

Think about skipping a rock across a lake.

Or throwing a baseball sidearm.

Would you throw by moving your shoulders first?

No.

Your lower body shifts.

Your hips rotate.

Your arm naturally drops behind you.

That’s exactly what should happen in the golf swing.

Step 1: Set Up Normally

Take your normal golf posture.

No ball is needed.

Hold your club lightly.

Relax.

Step 2: Make a Full Backswing

Rotate normally.

Don’t think about mechanics.

Just make a comfortable backswing.

Step 3: Pretend You’re Throwing the Club

Here’s where the magic happens.

Imagine throwing the clubhead down the fairway toward your target.

Not across your body.

Not left.

Throw it toward right-center field (for right-handed golfers).

Immediately you’ll notice something.

Your trail elbow naturally drops closer to your side.

The club shallows.

Your body begins rotating.

This is the movement many golfers never experience.

Step 4: Then Go

After feeling the throwing motion…

Swing through normally.

Don’t force anything.

Allow the throwing feeling to transition naturally into the golf swing.

This teaches your body:

Better sequencing
Better timing
Better path
Better rotation
Why This Drill Works

Most golfers think they should pull the handle down.

That creates:

Steep shaft
Over-the-top move
Open clubface
Slice

The Throw-Then-Go Drill does the opposite.

Instead of pulling…

You’re throwing.

The club naturally shallows.

The path improves.

The club approaches from the inside.

Suddenly…

The slice disappears.

What Should It Feel Like?

Many golfers describe it as:

“It feels like my hands are staying back.”

“It feels like the club is dropping behind me.”

“It feels like I’m throwing underhand.”

Those feelings are completely normal.

Remember…

Feel isn’t always real.

The correct movement often feels strange because you’ve been making the opposite move for years.

Mistakes to Avoid
Throwing Too Hard

This is a feel drill.

You’re not trying to launch the club.

You’re simply rehearsing the movement.

Sliding Instead of Rotating

Your lower body should begin rotating.

Don’t slide excessively toward the target.

Standing Up

Stay in your posture.

Maintain your spine angle.

If you stand up, you’ll likely return to coming over the top.

Trying to Hit the Ball Hard

Most slices occur because golfers try to create speed with their arms.

Ironically…

Relaxing often creates more speed.

Why Better Swing Path Creates More Distance

Many golfers believe fixing their slice is only about hitting straighter shots.

Actually…

It usually produces more distance.

Here’s why.

An inside approach:

Improves compression
Reduces glancing contact
Lowers spin
Centers impact
Increases ball speed

Instead of cutting across the ball…

You’re driving through it.

The result is a stronger, more penetrating ball flight.

Your Body May Be the Real Problem

Here’s something most golfers never consider.

You may understand exactly what your instructor wants you to do.

Your body simply can’t do it.

If your hips don’t rotate…

If your thoracic spine is stiff…

If your glutes aren’t activating…

Your body has no choice but to compensate.

Those compensations become:

Early extension
Reverse spine angle
Over-the-top move
Casting
Loss of posture

No amount of swing tips can overcome physical limitations.

Golf Fitness Can Help Eliminate the Slice

At Chris Ownbey’s Golf Fitness, I don’t just look at your golf swing.

I evaluate how your body moves.

As a TPI Certified Golf Fitness Professional, I identify the physical limitations affecting your swing.

During your TPI Golf Fitness Assessment, we’ll evaluate:

Hip mobility
Thoracic spine rotation
Shoulder mobility
Core stability
Glute activation
Balance
Single-leg stability
Pelvic control
Movement sequencing

Once we identify your limitations, I’ll build a customized golf fitness system designed specifically for your body.

This helps you:

Stop slicing the golf ball
Swing from the inside
Increase swing speed
Improve consistency
Reduce back pain
Hit the ball farther
Play golf longer
Practice Routine

Here’s a simple practice plan you can use on the range.

Warm-Up

10 slow Throw-Then-Go rehearsals.

Without a Ball

15 swings focusing only on the throwing sensation.

Half Swings

Hit 10 half shots.

Focus on path.

Ignore distance.

Three-Quarter Swings

Hit 15 balls.

Maintain the same feeling.

Full Swings

Finish with your driver.

You’ll likely notice:

Straighter ball flight
Better contact
Higher confidence
More distance
How Long Does It Take?

Some golfers notice improvement within a single practice session.

Others require several weeks.

Remember…

You’re changing a movement pattern your body has used for years.

Consistency is more important than intensity.

Practice the drill a few minutes every day rather than hitting 200 balls once a week.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been fighting a slice for years, don’t assume you’re doing something wrong.

More often than not, your body is simply repeating the only movement pattern it knows.

The Throw-Then-Go Drill gives your brain a completely different picture of how the downswing should work.

Instead of forcing the club over the top…

You learn to approach the ball from the inside.

The result is straighter shots, better contact, more distance, and greater confidence every time you tee it up.

The best part?

When you combine the right swing drill with better mobility, strength, and body mechanics, lasting improvement becomes much easier.

Ready to Stop Slicing the Golf Ball?

If you’ve tried lessons, new clubs, and endless YouTube videos but still fight a slice, it may be time to look beyond your swing.

At Chris Ownbey’s Golf Fitness, every golfer begins with a TPI Golf Fitness Assessment. We’ll identify the physical limitations that may be forcing you into an over-the-top swing and build a personalized system to help you move better, swing more efficiently, and play your best golf.

During your assessment you’ll discover:

✅ Why you’re slicing the golf ball
✅ Whether your body is limiting your swing mechanics
✅ How to improve hip and thoracic mobility
✅ Exercises to increase rotation and power
✅ A customized golf fitness system built specifically for you

Stop guessing. Start improving.

Schedule your TPI Golf Fitness Assessment today and learn how better movement can lead to straighter shots, more distance, and lower scores.

Chris Ownbey’s Golf Fitness
📍 Golf Center at The Highlands – Carrollton, TX
Serving golfers in Dallas, Plano, Carrollton, Frisco, Lewisville, Farmers Branch, Addison, and surrounding communities.