Bernhard Langer argues that most amateurs slice because they stop their turn at 50% and try to complete the backswing by lifting their arms—a move that virtually guarantees an over-the-top, steep descent (the slice-maker).
Here is the breakdown of his specific “Secrets” to fixing the turn and the slice:
1. The “Back to the Target” Visual
Langer’s primary swing thought is getting the left shoulder fully behind the ball.
The Secret: He teaches that you should feel like your back is facing the target at the top of your swing.
The Result: This deep turn creates a wider “arc” and depth. When you have depth, the club has room to drop into the “slot” from the inside, which naturally converts a slice into a powerful draw.
2. The “Shoulder-Hand Connection”
This is a critical nuance for his “Golf Secrets” channel. Langer insists that your hands must stop moving the moment your shoulders stop turning.
The Fault: Amateurs often reach a 60° shoulder turn, stop, but then keep “lifting” their hands to create the illusion of a full swing.
The Fix: If your shoulders stop at 78°, your hands stop at 78°. This keeps the arms “connected” to the torso. When they stay connected, the big muscles of the core drive the downswing instead of the “flippy” hands that cause slices.
3. The “Head Rotation” Hack
Langer admits that as we get older (or if we are larger-framed), a full 90° turn can be physically difficult.
The Secret: He allows his head to rotate slightly to the right during the backswing.
The Visual: He looks at the ball primarily out of his left eye.
Why it works: By not forcing the head to stay perfectly “locked” and still, you free up the cervical spine and thoracic cage to rotate further. It’s the easiest way to gain 10° to 15° of extra turn without needing more flexibility.
4. The “Flat Left Wrist” Alignment
Langer is famous for his strong grip, which he uses to keep the clubface closed. For a slice fix, he emphasizes that at the top of the swing, the left wrist and left forearm should be in a straight line.
The Danger: A “cupped” wrist at the top (where the back of the hand bends toward the forearm) leaves the clubface wide open. Even with a great turn, a cupped wrist will still produce a slice.
1 Comment
I am an amateur and I hook the ball!