The dreaded slice is the bane of many a golfer’s game, from the beginners to the more regular players. It is a highly frustrating shot to hit and leads to the ball going way off course, often leaving you with a most unpleasant lie and also resulting in the ball not going a great distance. Some of the better slices result in the ball landing perfectly on the fairway, however, it is not the fairway you were playing. In these best golf driver to reduce slice reviews we’ll take a look at the club more suited to the situation to make it easier for you to choose a favorite. Let’s get right into it.
Understanding and Practice
If you slice the ball regularly there are a number of techniques and drills you can practice to reduce the severity of your slice. Changing your alignment to compensate for a slice rarely works and then when you do hit straight, it often results in a disaster.
Understanding what is causing you to slice your shots is important and drills and practice will help. A few lessons from a pro can also work wonders. All of this will take considerable time and in the case of lessons, a fair amount of money as well.
The Right Driver Can Save Your Slice
There is another option available to the serial slicer, a driver that has been designed to compensate for this common issue so many golfers experience. This will, more often than not, produce fairly instant and constant reductions to your slicing issues.
Golf equipment is a massive industry and technology is advancing at an incredible pace which is great for golfers at all levels. They focus on a variety of markets and develop clubs specifically to allow them to improve their game. The slice, being such a common challenge, is certainly something they have looked at in great detail and have come up with some amazing drivers that are guaranteed to assist with your slice.
It might not eliminate your slice overnight but, with the right equipment, set up correctly, it will drastically reduce it. With a bit of extra effort from your side, it will soon be a rare occurrence and a lot less severe when it does occur.
Slice Reducing Design
Let’s take a look at a few modifications and tweaks the designers have come up with to help minimize the slice.
Loft
Those who slice will want to look at a driver with a higher loft. This will result in greater backspin which in turn works to reduce the unwanted sidespin caused by a slice swing. You may find that you sacrifice a small amount of distance but a shorter shot on the fairway way beats a longer shot in the deep rough.
Weight Distribution
Massive development has been made in this technology and it has a number of benefits. There are numerous variables but the main thing a slicer wants to do with regards to weight distribution is to look for a driver with additional weight towards the sole. This will lower the Center of Gravity (CG) which also improves the loft and allows for more accurate shots.
Offset
The further back the head is from the hosel, the more offset you will have. This will aid you in positioning your hands forward during your swing. The benefit of this is that the face is more likely to close which will eliminate the slice.
Shaft
The shaft is always an important consideration for any golfer. It is vital for correct clubface positioning and ultimately accuracy and distance. In the case of those who are cursed with a slice, go for a shaft that offers more flexibility and torque.
Best Golf Driver to Reduce Slice Comparison Table
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Callaway Great Big Bertha B21 Driver |
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Best Slice Reducing Golf Driver Reviews
We have done extensive research into drivers that have been designed with slice sufferers in mind. We have spoken to the designers, looked at the specifications, and read mountains of feedback and comments from players across the handicap range that have used them.
The comments leave no doubt that the right equipment made a noticeable and significant improvement to their slice which made for a much more enjoyable golfing experience and helped them to shave a good few strokes off their game.
The great advantage of the majority of the drivers we narrowed our selection down to, is that they are adjustable, meaning that as your game develops and improves, they can be tweaked and modified to accommodate your evolving swing, giving you many years of use out of your driver investment.
Enough of the theory, let’s take a look at the slice busting drivers that really impressed us:
1. Callaway Great Big Bertha B21 Driver
Our Rating:
For a great deal of golfers, Big Bertha means only one thing – legacy. It’s been around for ages and it’s still going strong. Obviously, the B21 is the latest iteration of the famous Big Bertha, and is, like its predecessor, one of those all round, great drivers that comes up at the top in most reviews, be it for distance and accuracy, beginners, or in this case a great driver to help those with a nasty slice.
Like its antecedent, the B21 delivers long, straight shots, which is, in itself, a great thing and pretty much all you might want from a driver. Again, and this can’t be stressed enough, it is a really good all round driver for a wide range of players, with a particular soft spot for slicers.
The shape is rather interesting, as it looks elongated, somewhat triangular in the back, making the CG significantly low while keeping it forwards. This does wonders for forgiveness and distance, especially when joined with weights in the back and the Jailbreak tech (for those of you not in the know, it’s basically two metal bars behind the face that connect the crown with the sole; what this does is stiffen the body and help transfer more energy to the face, meaning more distance).
As technology goes, the B21 also comes with the changeable neck, which we’ve come to expect from Callaway, allowing you to change lies to get even more draw bias out of it, or dial it down. Another selling point of the B21 is the AI face, allowing for higher MOI and lower spin. Speaking of face, it’s also worth noting that it’s rather forward, making it hard to miss at address. This may have been intentional, as some testers have reported it makes them want to draw it. You might need to experiment a bit at the driving range to get the balance and setting right to assist your swing and cure or, at the very least, reduce your slice.
Obviously, you might need to experiment a bit at the driving range and get a proper fitting to assist your swing and cure or at the very least, reduce your slice. Now, you might be thinking that this puppy’s redundant – Callaway have already got the Mavrik Max, they don’t need another Big Bertha. However, if you’re looking to squeeze out that little bit more of MOI, it might well be worth looking into.
Pros
- It works;
- Designed to optimize whatever speed you can give it with your swing;
- Well known for distance and accuracy
- Lovely looks, the red line on top really ties the club together;
Cons
- Not everyone’s going to like the sound;
- Somewhat pricey;
2. Ping G425 SFT Driver
Our Rating:
Continuing the business model set up by the G30 way back in 2014, the Ping G425 Driver series comes in three distinct variants. There’s the LST, aimed at golfers and fitters looking for a driver with a low spin (check the LS part of the name), the “creatively” named MAX, which should appeal to those players seeking maximum forgiveness, and finally, the SFT, which is designed to iron out the curves and sit pretty on our list of five best drivers to reduce slice.
All jokes aside, though, the SFT (as well as the other two, for that matter) comes with a chunky weighting system which is there to push the MOI as far as it will go. In addition to this, the entire line features an adjustable hosel, which goes a step further to straightening the curve and squeezing a few yards extra (and those do add up). Moving the conversation into the realm of numbers, the G425 SFT gives about 10 yards more to the left than its G410 predecessor, and even runs lap around its cousin the G425 Max, squeezing out as much as 25 yards of draw-bias on average. Unfortunately, the SFT falls short of the adjustability benchmark, as it comes with a fixed weight of 23 grams (unlike MAX, whose weight is adjustable) and only a single loft (10.5) available.
Mind you, the sound and feel are a bit of a contentious issue, many think the world of the way it sounds while many others don’t exactly appreciate it (some might say it lives up to the brand’s name). It’s not something that should worry you overwhelmingly when trawling for the best driver to reduce slice, but seeing how golf is psychological as well as physical, it’s worth mentioning.
Pros
- Great forgiveness (minimizes slices and hooks);
- Consistent long shots
- Definitely the best sounding of the three G425s;
Cons
- High-priced;
3. TaylorMade SIM2 Max D Driver
Our Rating:
The SIM2 Max D is TaylorMade’s answer to the Big Bertha when it comes to reducing fade, filling in the exact niche of an all-rounder that tops most contemporary reviews filed under the “best golf driver to reduce slice” category.
Everything you need to know about the club is hidden in plain sight – the “Max” in its name stands for “maximum forgiveness”, while the “D” stands for “Draw bias”, and the Max D comes with a heavy draw bias. It is especially aimed at slow swingers with high handicaps. That said, if you decide to be fitted for proper shaft, the driver will prove to be a useful tool in your long range arsenal.
What makes it particularly helpful for golfers who tend to slice is the adjustable hosel. It comes in three lofts for the gentlemen and two lofts for the ladies, and is a part of the bigger SIM2 line which also includes the SIM2 (for high swing golfers looking for low spin) and SIM2 Max (bigger and more forgiving version of the former, and also a good all-rounder).
This puppy is perfect if you’ve played TaylorMade drivers earlier, as it makes it incredibly easy to make the switch thanks to their similarity to the previous generations. On the other hand, if this is your first TaylorMade, do take the time to master the adjustments. Just make sure you also work to improve your game and not put all your hopes in the equipment.
The sound is a bit muted thanks to the carbon crown and sole. Speaking of the construction, it’s important to mention that this driver comes with a bright blue aluminum ring on the back and bottom, which reduces weight without compromising the strength of the head. In addition to this, the entire SIM2 line comes with a 22g weight low in the back, which is there to enhance the MOI and, thereby, the forgiveness. Unlike the SIM2 and SIM2 Max, however, the Max D also has an internal weight that’s buried in the heel, which is what gives it the draw bias everybody talks about.
Pros
- Adjustable hosel and precision-milled face (more distance and speed on drives);
- Vibrant colors make the head stand out;
- Large sweet spot makes it very forgiving;
Cons
- The face appears a bit too closed at address when you look closely;
- Some might like a little bit lower launch than the Max D has to offer;
4. Wilson Staff Launch Pad Driver
Our Rating:
Like all the other drivers on our list, the Launch Pad definitely wants to move the ball from right to left. Admittedly, it’s struggling a bit with distance, but then again, that’s the price you have to pay for the most affordable driver to reduce slice we’ve managed to dig up. Sure enough, Wilson are the go-to brand for tennis equipment, but this unassuming little driver should give the bigger boys on the block a run for their money.
Other than being great value for money, the LP sort of fails to meet the standards when it comes to adjustability. For starters, it comes with a fixed hosel, meaning you can’t raise or lower your loft once you pick the club. On the flipside, they do offer three lofts off the production line (9, 10.5 and 13). Moreover, the weighting is also fixed by way of having a single weight screwed in the back. Yes, you can exchange the 10-gram weight with a smaller 3-gram one, but that’s the end of it. If you’re looking for the best golf driver to reduce slice, this may not be it, but it still gives a great bang for the buck.
Pros
- Enviable customer service;
- Compares well to bigger brands;
- High quality and lightweight shaft;
- Reasonably priced (great bang for the buck);
Cons
- Not the nicest sounding club out there;
- Fairly limited fitting options (no adjustable loft nor removable weights);
- Others found it gave them too much height and sacrificed distance;
Cobra Radspeed XD Driver
Our Rating:
Another entry on our list of top drivers for reducing slice, the Cobra Radspeed comes in three different flavours – the vanilla Radspeed, Radspeed XB and Radspeed XD. Obviously, out of the three, we are most interested in the last contestant, the Radspeed XD.
Naturally, the blueprint for all three sticks has the same starting points – all start from the traditional 460cc head and shooting to reduce the overall weight. The difference is where and how the weight is distributed. For the Radspeed, it’s all distributed radially (hence “Rad” in “Radspeed”) in the front, which goes a long way to reducing speed and launch. In the XB, the weighting is radially distributed in the back, which promotes speed and distance, making this puppy ideal for those looking for forgiveness. As for our point of interest, the XD, the majority of the weighting lies in the back (18g) to promote forgiveness, some of it is in the front (8g) to help with the speed, while a decent amount is in the heel (10g) to give it a draw-bias, which, in turn, helps reduce slices.
Pros
- Fairly affordable if you can find a used one;
- Lots of forgiveness, great for pushers and slicers;
Cons
- Not the most aesthetically pleasing driver out there;
- Still somewhat pricey for a single stick;
The Final word
The slice is a most frustrating curse for many a golfer. Some technique improvements and practice will help, but allow technology to help you achieve faster, more consistent results.
One of the key aspects is to understand the adjustability and test them extensively to find what works for you. There are many reasons some golfers slice so you will need to find the best adjustment combination to cure your particular issue. Get it right and you will be smiling.
