Inside-Out vs. Outside-In Swing Path: Key Differences

The swing path determines how your club moves at impact and directly impacts ball flight. Two main paths exist: inside-out (ideal for draws and straight shots) and outside-in (often leads to slices). Understanding these paths can help you improve accuracy, reduce spin, and gain consistency.

Quick Overview:

Inside-Out Swing Path: Club moves from inside to outside the target line. Promotes draws, straight shots, and more power.
Outside-In Swing Path: Club moves from outside to inside the target line. Often causes slices and inconsistent shots.

Quick Comparison Table:

Aspect	Inside-Out Swing Path	Outside-In Swing Path
Club Path	Inside to outside target line	Outside to inside target line
Ball Flight	Draw or straight	Slice or fade
Consistency	More reliable	Less consistent
Common Issues	Rarely slices	Causes slicing

Learn how to adjust your swing path to achieve straighter, more controlled shots. Let’s dive deeper into the mechanics and fixes for each path.

Inside-Out Swing Path

How an Inside-Out Swing Works

An inside-out swing directs the club from inside to outside the target line at the moment of impact. For right-handed golfers, keeping the right elbow close to the body during the downswing is key. The club starts slightly inside the target line during the takeaway, rotating smoothly. As the swing progresses, the clubhead approaches the ball from the inside and moves outward after impact, following the natural arc of the swing.

Advantages of Inside-Out Swings

An inside-out swing path helps produce straight shots or controlled draws, making it easier to avoid slicing. When combined with proper clubface positioning, it leads to consistent ball flights. Here are some key benefits:

Benefit	Description
Reduced Slice	Helps minimize slicing by promoting a natural swing path
Better Control	Provides reliable ball flight and improved directional accuracy
Increased Power	Enhances energy transfer at impact, adding distance to your shots
Consistency	Encourages repeatable swing mechanics for dependable results

Steps to Create an Inside-Out Swing

Setup Position
Stand with a slightly open stance, aiming slightly to the right of the target. Drop your right foot back about an inch to encourage the inside-out motion.
Takeaway
Begin your swing by keeping the clubhead inside the target line. Maintain steady wrists during the backswing to stay on the correct path.
Downswing Mechanics
Initiate the downswing with your lower body, rotating your hips toward the target. Keep your right elbow tucked close to your side to guide the club along the desired path.

To refine this technique, try the glove-under-arm drill: place a glove under your back arm and keep it there throughout the swing. This helps you maintain proper elbow positioning. Additionally, focus on a spot just inside the ball at address to visualize the correct path.

Next, we’ll explore how this compares to the outside-in swing path.

Outside-In Swing Path

How an Outside-In Swing Works

An outside-in swing starts when the clubhead moves outside the target line during the takeaway and backswing, then crosses over the line at impact. This "over the top" motion creates left-to-right spin for right-handed golfers. The issue often stems from an overly active upper body during the downswing, where the shoulders rotate too early and the arms push the club outward. These movements set the stage for common problems tied to this swing path.

Problems with Outside-In Swings

The biggest challenge with an outside-in swing is its tendency to cause a slice – a shot that curves sharply to the right for right-handed players. The clubface angle at impact is crucial, as it determines about 80% of the shot’s direction . This often results in inconsistent and unpredictable ball flight.

What Causes Outside-In Swings

Several technical mistakes can lead to this swing pattern:

Poor Takeaway Mechanics: Starting the swing with overly active hands can pull the club too far inside. This forces the club to move back outside during the downswing.
Rushed Transition: A quick shift from backswing to downswing often causes the upper body to take over, disrupting the natural flow of the swing.
Alignment Issues: Incorrect setup, such as poor positioning of the trail foot, can limit hip rotation. Adjusting the trail foot to flare out by 15–25° can help improve hip movement .

"The outside-in golf swing is one of the most common errors in the game of golf." – Golficity.com

To address this swing path, focus on a smoother takeaway and allow your shoulders to turn naturally. These adjustments can help create a more consistent and controlled swing.

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How to Fix your Slice with your Swing Path (Outside-In vs Inside-Out)

Swing Path Differences

The inside-out and outside-in swing paths differ in how the club moves and how the ball flies. These differences directly influence the shape of your shots and how consistently you strike the ball.

Swing Path Comparison Chart

Aspect	Inside-Out Swing	Outside-In Swing
Club Path	Moves from inside the target line to outside	Moves from outside the target line to inside
Ball Flight	Promotes a draw or straight shot	Often results in a slice or fade
Consistency	Leads to more reliable ball striking	Can cause less consistent contact
Alignment	Proper setup encourages this path	Misalignment, like open shoulders, may cause this path

Understanding these differences helps explain why fixing an outside-in swing can improve your overall performance.

How to Fix an Outside-In Swing

If you’re struggling with an outside-in swing, here are a few adjustments you can make:

Address Position Adjustment: Lower your rear side at setup, aligning your hips and shoulders parallel to the target while slightly tilting away from it.
Takeaway Modification: Keep your hands and wrists steady during the initial part of your swing, focusing on shoulder rotation. This prevents pulling the club too far inside.
Transition Control: Begin your downswing with your lower body, maintaining a smooth tempo. This creates the necessary space for the club to follow the correct path.

To make these changes stick, spend time practicing at the driving range to build muscle memory. For even better results, consider working with a professional instructor who can give you instant feedback and guidance.

Next Steps

Main Points Review

Let’s quickly revisit the key factors that influence your ball flight, especially focusing on swing path. Many amateur golfers tend to swing outside-in, which often results in slices. On the other hand, an inside-out swing path can lead to straighter shots or controlled draws .

Here are the main indicators of your swing path:

Ball flight direction and where it finishes
Side spin on the ball
Launch angle and swing path measurements

Using a launch monitor can help you accurately measure these factors and track your progress. Remember, shifting to an inside-out swing path can reduce slicing and give you better control, which is essential for consistent performance.

How To Break 80

If you’re ready to work on your swing and make real improvements, How To Break 80 offers some great tools to help. Their "Fix Your Slice & Hit a Draw Video Course" ($99) provides step-by-step guidance for transitioning from an outside-in to an inside-out swing. It includes detailed instruction, focused drills, and methods to track your progress.

For additional support, the Essential Golf Improvement eBook Bundle ($19) dives into swing path optimization and setup techniques, making it a solid companion to the video course.