You're on the tee. The whole golf course is open to the left, with no real trouble in sight. To the right, a rippling lake from tee to green. You know you should be able to keep the golf ball dry off the tee, but trouble enters your mind as you stand over the tee shot. You have sliced the last three drives and, despite every bit of golfer psychology, cannot convince yourself to clear your mind. As you swing, you feel the ball come off with sidespin, and before tracking it in the air, you know it will be going for a swim very shortly.

Hitting the dreaded slice is one of the worst feelings for all golfers, from beginners to skilled amateurs. However, whether your slice is based on swing characteristics, such as swing speed, shaft flex, etc., or if it is simply a need for a driver with a draw bias or moveable weights, there are drivers for all golfer levels to fight slices. Below, you will find some of the best drivers of forgiveness, varying lofts, and clubhead offset to help you go from sending your ball swimming in the lake to landing smack dab in the middle of the fairway, setting you up for an approach at birdie!

Factors That Create a Slice

A slice is when a ball has so much sidespin imparted on it by a golfer that it moves far away from the intended target line. It should not be confused with a fade, a shot that has the same sidespin (just less of it) and that is controlled and intentionally shaped. Creating this shot is complex, as several factors can lead to a slice.

1. Stance and Set Up

Having a stance where your lead foot is too far behind your back foot will encourage a swing that goes outside-in, resulting in the sidespin that creates a slice.

2. Grip

A weak grip is where your thumbs are both on top of the grip. It doesn't allow your hands to follow their natural rotation, leaving the clubface open, imparting sidespin, and starting the ball outside your intended target.

3. Being Unbalanced

Whether from your weight shifting back to your back foot in the swing to help the ball into the air or decelerating through the ball instead of accelerating, being unbalanced will cause the ball to move off target and spin further away.

Drivers to Cure the Slice

Step one to fix the slice is to decide what you want to change. If you are going to go the equipment route, choosing a golf club such as an offset driver, a driver that helps with a high launch that limits sidespin, or a driver that can help increase ball speed will help to solve the slice problem you are facing on the course.

Some leading driver manufacturers, such as Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra, and Titleist, have great options for golfers looking for a quick cure to the sweeping slice. The following list contains the best drivers for curing slice in various categories:

Best for Beginners: TaylorMade Stealth HD 2 Driver

Like its predecessor the TaylorMade Stealth, the Stealth 2 HD driver is packed with technology to help reduce slicing, and is arguably the most forgiving driver in the TaylorMade line-up.

How did TaylorMade achieve this? They improved on their Twist Face technology yet again, producing a carbon clubface that helps maintain fast ball speeds, especially on mis-hits. This technology also encourages straighter ball flights and better accuracy. Doubling the amount of carbon in the Stealth 2 HD's construction lightened the clubhead's weight and allowed for 30 grams to be shifted to the rear. This increased the size of the sweet spot, the MOI, and the amount of forgiveness on off-center hits.

Beginners using this driver will benefit from a large sweet spot and a draw bias to help reduce slicing, but they will also enjoy the aesthetics of the Stealth 2 HD's black and red clubhead design.

Most Likely to Cure the Slice for All Skill Levels: Cobra Aerojet Max Driver

The Cobra Aerojet Max driver is a fun club to hit! It is lightweight and designed for the mid to high-handicap golfer, as well as those who have slower swings. This is the most forgiving driver in the Cobra line, and beginners looking to minimize slicing will find its draw bias and slightly closed clubface extremely useful. There is a bunch of technology that makes this an outstanding value, including adjustable weighting to make the driver neutral or draw biased. If you don't like a loud sound at impact, this might not be for you, but this club is worth a look if that isn't a bother.

Advanced Golfers With a Slice Tendency Rejoice!: Titleist TSR3

My caveat is that you will want someone to help you fit this driver to your swing. With all the shaft adjustability and varying weights available, the advanced golfer can see extreme improvement in their ball flight when tuned correctly. The club does great in increasing ball speed, designed to have a high MOI (Moment of Inertia) for golfers that need it with their elevated swing speeds.

The clubface also is designed to be low spin, as it is a premium option for the golfer that needs to shape the ball both ways but needs it situated for resistance to the big miss slice tendency their game has developed. Finally, if you desperately want a Titleist driver but are not as advanced in your skill, try the TSi1 driver. At 40 grams lighter than any other driver, it is a great option for players with a more moderate swing speed.

This Expert's Personal Favorite: Callaway Paradym X

The Callaway Paradym X driver is for "bombs away" golfers who want maximum forgiveness, distance, and a draw bias. This driver will help reduce the slice off the tee and help keep the ball straighter.

The new AI design Jailbreak system provides superior stability through the swing and allows for faster ball speeds, leading to longer drives. A forged titanium face coupled with face cup technology equals higher energy transfer from the clubhead to the ball, resulting in extra distance. In my testing, the ball seemed to jump off the face immediately, a feeling I enjoy in a driver.

Overall, this is a very forgiving driver that offers distance, high ball speeds, adjustable lofts, reduces slices, and is a pleasure to hit.

Keys in Driver Selection

Regardless of which direction you choose, making sure that you consider things like face angle (either in your swing or from the offset), technology infused in the clubhead, and the price will go a long way in ensuring that you get what you need. Getting lost in the flashy names of the technology like "speed pocket" or "turbocharged cup face" all boils down to the club's ability to maximize inertia generation, increase ball speed, and decrease sidespin on the ball at impact.

Conclusion

Speak with a Curated Expert to get any clarification on these options and more. Your Expert might find a model from a year or two ago that will create a more budget-friendly option. Whether you are in the market for draw-biased drivers or any other golf needs, your Expert will recommend golf gear for you!