Does higher loft reduce slice?
James Craig
Published Jan 24, 2026
Although many slicers want to hit the ball lower, remember the additional loft provides backspin that will reduce the amount a golf ball slices through the air.
How do I reduce my driver slice?
How To Fix Your Slice: 7 Simple Steps To Straight Golf Shots
- Don't Aim Left.
- Position Your Golf Ball Properly in Your Setup.
- Take Note of Your Divots.
- Fix Your Grip.
- Keep Your Elbow Tucked During Your Backswing.
- Transfer Your Weight.
- Release the Club Prior to Impact.
Are higher lofted driver more forgiving?
Remember, a higher lofted driver is also more forgiving because it is harder to curve the ball.
Is a higher lofted driver more accurate?
A closer look at the data does give some credence to the myth: of the five sets where less loft was more accurate, the difference between high and low loft was small – approximately 4 yards more accurate. The gap was larger in the sets where the high loft was more accurate (approximately 8 yards).
What shaft is best for a slice?
Unlike the pros, you should look for shafts with weaker tip sections that allow for more release of the club head as it comes into impact. A more active tip section will generally allow for a faster rate of closure, which is beneficial to golfers suffering from a slice.
21 related questions foundWill stiff shaft fix my slice?
If you are struggling with a hook it might be because your shaft is too flexible, try a stiffer shaft, this will help keep the face square at impact, and prevent the face from turning over. If you are struggling with a slice you might be playing with a shaft that is too stiff for you.
Is a 13.5 degree driver good?
Anywhere between 8.5-10° will usually suffice. If you have a mid swing speed of 95-104 mph, a driver loft of between 10-11.5° will normally be a good starting point.
What loft is Tiger Woods driver?
Woods' driver on Friday appeared to be 1.5 degrees open, giving the club a loft of 8.25 degrees total, while the club's sliding weight port was moved towards a draw setting.
Is 9.5 or 10.5 driver better?
In theory, a 9.5 degree driver shot will travel lower at a greater speed with less backspin than a 10.5 degree driver when struck square. You must be sure that you have enough club head speed -- how fast the golf club is moving toward impact with the golf ball -- to warrant a lower lofted driver.
Is a 15 degree driver good?
The most lofted drivers on the market are equivalent to a strengthened 3-wood loft. As a result, if we continue to follow Lewis' approach. Then any player with a swing speed below 84 mph is well suited to using a 15-degree driver.
Is 12 degree loft too much?
The 12 Degree loft driver may be considered by some to have too much loft. But they are not likely the right golfers for that type of club. What is this? 12 degrees is not unreasonable, considering that the average driver sits at 10.5 degrees in loft.
Why do I slice with my driver but not my irons?
Honestly, it all comes down to one simple concept: You can't use the exact same swing for both your irons and your driver. Those two types of clubs are designed differently, with different shaft lengths and different lofts. They are made to achieve different goals.
What causes slice with driver?
A slice shot is caused by a poor grip and setup, an outside-to-in downswing path and an open clubface. An outside-to-in path occurs when the golfer reaches too far on the downside, bringing the club down to the right of the ball (outside), relative to the target line.
Why do I slice my driver when I swing hard?
A common cause of a slice is that the golfer is swinging the club too fast. Swinging the club harder will not necessarily result in greater distance off the tee, but it does usually result in a slice. In a fast swing, the arms come through the ball before the body weight can be shifted into the swing.
How much does 1 degree of loft affect distance?
Given that you're at your maximum clubhead speed, just 1-degree change in the loft angle of a golf driver can affect your driving distance by 2-4 yards. As for irons, the difference in distance between 8-iron (37-39 degrees) and 9-iron (41-43 degrees) is usually 10-15 yards.
Which degree driver goes the farthest?
The low loft of a golf driver is very surprising from the perspective of physics. Everyone in freshman physics learns that the optimal launch angle for a projectile - the angle that makes a ball fly the farthest - is 45 degrees.
Is a lower loft driver harder to hit?
As a general rule, It is a lot harder to hit a lower loft driver. Drivers are one of the most challenging clubs in your bag to use; the lower the club's loft, the less forgiveness the club gives you, making it a lot harder to hit.
What causes a slice off the tee?
The most common cause of a slice is an open club face. This open club face will give you contact that isn't square and often feels like a “side swipe.” The most common cause of an open club face is an incorrect grip as your hand position will directly reflect in the face.
What loft driver does Rory use?
Rory's driver is a 9º head, with the hosel adaptor set a notch lower so the loft plays more like 8.5º. The sliding sole weight is in a pretty neutral position, and the shaft is a Fujikura Ventus Black 6X tipped one inch (to make it play stiffer).
Is a 9 degree driver hard to hit?
Golfers with slower swing speeds may find the 9-degree driver too difficult to hit consistently and achieve maximum distance. However, golfers with high swing speed will benefit from the lower loft.
Can regular flex cause a slice?
When the clubhead gets to the ball, the shaft won't unload properly and the face will remain slightly open, causing a slice. Other swing problems also can cause a slice, of course, but shafts that are too stiff can make the problem worse.
Does an offset driver cure a slice?
An offset driver is one of the most powerful cures for a slice. By positioning the clubface slightly behind the shaft, it gives you more time to square the club at impact. This encourages right to left spin (ie draw shape) and minimizes left to right spin (ie slice shape).
Will a low spin driver help with a slice?
Thanks to the additional sidespin. Conversely, low spin drivers benefit faster swinging golfers who desire less backspin rpm to achieve a moderate launch and optimal roll. Furthermore, low spin drivers restrict sidespin, reducing your risk of hooking or slicing your shot.