Slice Lemons, Not Golf Balls
        
             "As ye point your shoulders, so shall ye swing".
        
     Statistics reveal that over 90 percent of the golfing
population carry an 18 or higher handicap and that nearly the
same percentage slice the ball off the tee. Sad but true,
particularly when the "Old Slice Monster" can be tamed so 
easily; sometimes in a matter of minutes.

     Understand, first, that a slice is caused by either one or a 
combination of two factors: an open clubface at impact and an     
outside to inside swing through the hitting zone.
        
     In most cases it's this outside to inside swing path that    
causes the club face to cut across the ball from right to left    
imparting "slice" spin to the ball. 

	This produces a weak, high shot that may start left of 
the target but soon turns wickedly right often landing in 
locations previously unvisited by fun loving human beings.

Rooting in the rhubarb looking for a golf ball is not my idea of fun. 
         
     If the swing is on the proper track (inside to outside) the 
club face generally ceases to be a detrimental factor. 
        
     Ideally, right handed golfers should be born with a longer   
right arm. Since the right hand is below the left on the club the
right arm must extend further down the shaft than the left. At
address, most golfers merely reach out and grab the club with
their right hand with little or no thought for what this does to
their shoulder alignment. In golfers with arms of equal length
this pulls the right shoulder out closer to the ball than the
left and turns the shoulder line left of the target line. 

	(Pause here and re-read the opening line).
        
     The "set up", being your swing foundation, must be sound to  
produce sound results. This means that all your body alignment    
elements: feet, knees, hips and particularly shoulders must be    
parallel to your target line. 
        
     After taking your left hand grip tuck your right elbow into  
your side. Really press your upper arm against your ribs. Now,    
TILT, rather than turn, your shoulders by lowering your right     
shoulder until you can place your right hand in the proper grip   
position. Although exaggerated, this approaches the proper
shoulder position with your left shoulder higher than your right, 
your left arm comfortably extended and your right arm relaxed,    
bent at the elbow and closer to your body. 
        
	On the practice tee, have a friend stand behind you to check      
your alignment. When you reach out with your right arm to grip    
the club (as you have likely been doing) your friend will not be  
able to see your target; it will be blocked from view by your     
right shoulder proving that your shoulders are aligned left. 

	With your right elbow tucked against your side and your 
shoulders tilted to the right your friend can easily see the target 
and that the points of both shoulders are equidistant from the 
ball and in line with the target as well as parallel with your shoe
tips, knees and hips. 
        
     Strive to keep your right elbow close to your side through   
the entire swing. 

	This promotes a shoulder turn rather than an arm swing, 
moving your right shoulder down and under rather than out and 
around on the down swing, an inside to out swing path and a 
full, whipping release motion with the right hand. 

	Being bent at the hips with your arms hanging comfortably 
near vertical that folded right elbow is in position to track close to 
your rib cage during the swing and deliver maximum power at 
impact. Now you need only turn your shoulders away from the ball 
to execute the proper back swing.  
        
     Remember, reach down and under with your right side, not out 
and around. Try it. You'll be surprised at the results.