Anti Slice Downswing Drill: Eliminate Over-the-Top Moves

by | Indoor Golf Drills, Long Game Drills

Golfer at address with a foam noodle outside the ball.

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DRILL OVERVIEW

Anti Slice Downswing Drill: Swing Inside the Noodle

Your drill at a glance

Long gameDrill category
Clear swing-path feedbackBenefit
5 minutesPractice time
2 / 10Difficulty
Club, balls + foam noodleEquipment
Anti Slice Downswing Drill: set up a foam noodle, swing gently past it and complete eighteen shots.

This drill is from the Golf Practice Made Fun App.

A foam noodle gives you immediate feedback on your club’s path. Place it just outside the ball and practise gentle swings that strike the ball without touching the noodle.

Step 1. Watch the anti slice drill

Watch how the noodle is positioned outside the ball and how the club swings past it.

Watch the demonstration on YouTube.

Step 2. Set up the noodle and swing gently

Golfer at address with a foam noodle on the ground just outside the golf ball.
ActionWhat to do
Lay out the noodlePlace a slightly curved foam swim noodle on the ground, as shown in the image. Use it as a soft guide outside the ball.
Place the ball inside itSet the ball about two inches inside the noodle, on the side nearest your feet. Take your normal address with the clubhead behind the ball.
Start with gentle swingsBegin with short, slow swings. Strike the ball without touching the noodle and let the club follow a smooth inside-to-inside arc.
Use the feedbackIf the club touches the noodle, pause and make a smaller rehearsal. Check the setup, then try another gentle shot without forcing the club around the obstacle.
Build up graduallyIncrease the swing length only when you can make a comfortable strike and leave the noodle untouched. Keep the movement smooth.
Your cue“Ball first. Miss the noodle. Swing smoothly.”

Use the noodle as feedback

Touching the noodle tells you that the club has reached the space you’re trying to avoid. Missing it is useful practice feedback; it doesn’t measure your exact swing path or clubface angle.

Watch forTry this
Club touching the noodleShorten the swing and rehearse a smooth arc before hitting again.
Trying to force an exaggerated pathMake a gentle, balanced swing and use the noodle for feedback.
Noodle moving between shotsReset its position and keep the ball about two inches inside it.
Rushing to full speedBuild up gradually from short swings once the setup feels comfortable.

Step 3. Complete your round

Complete your round of eighteen shots. One shot. One tick.

Play 18 shots in two sets of nine. Score one point each time you hit the ball without touching the noodle. Keep the same comfortable setup throughout the round.

If you’re using the Golf Practice Made Fun App, tick one box in your Practice Round after each completed shot.

RoundWhat to do
First ninePlay nine gentle shots. Count one point each time you hit the ball without touching the noodle.
Second ninePause, check the noodle and ball positions, then repeat nine shots with the same scoring.
RecordAdd both scores and record your total out of 18, plus one useful practice note.

A worked example: Six points in the first nine and seven in the second gives 13 / 18. Your note might be: “Shorter swings helped me strike the ball without touching the noodle.”

George’s Conclusion

George at the practice range.

Keep the task simple: hit the ball and leave the noodle untouched. Start with gentle swings and let the feedback guide your next rehearsal. You’ll get more from a comfortable, repeatable movement than from trying to force the club into position.

Try the Anti Sway Backswing Drill or the Hip Bump Golf Drill for another useful practice session.

MAKE THE NEXT BUCKET COUNT

Pick a card. Practise with purpose.

Explore the Golf Practice Made Fun App.
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