In golf, a "slice" is a shot that curves excessively to the right (for a right-handed golfer) or to the left (for a left-handed golfer) in the air. It is a common problem for many golfers and can result in a loss of distance and accuracy.
The slice occurs when the clubface is open at impact, meaning that the clubface is pointing to the right (for a right-handed golfer) of the target at the moment of contact with the ball. This causes the ball to spin in a clockwise direction, leading to a curving flight path to the right (for a right-handed golfer) of the target.
The most common causes of a slice include an improper grip, an outside-to-inside swing path, a lack of body rotation, and an early release of the club. Correcting a slice often requires identifying and addressing the root cause of the problem through swing analysis, drills, and practice.
It is worth noting that a slight left-to-right curve for a right-handed golfer (or right-to-left for a left-handed golfer) is a normal ball flight and is not considered a slice, but rather a "fade" or "draw," respectively.