re: Question from a beginner

For a former baseball player, line up your feet, shoulders, the ball, etc. towards 2nd base, but think of hitting the ball to the 2nd baseman (not 2nd base, but where the 2nd baseman normally stands - between 1st and 2nd base). This creates an inside out swing path that creates a hook spin and allows you to hook the ball. You are probably swinging towards the shortstop, which is an outside /inside swing that causes a slice. Most beginners slice the ball by coming over the top, meaning they are swinging from the outside to the inside.

Another drill, put the ball on the tee and place a tee approximately 12 inches in front of your ball and slightly to the right at about a 45 degrees angle. swing towards that tee (this is similar to aiming to 2nd base). Once you learn to hook the ball, you can control your swing path by swinging more towards 2nd base rather than the 2nd baseman. Golf teachers always like to instruct those that hook the ball, because they can get better. Those that slice the ball have a harder time on the golf course.

By the way, get Harvey Penick's the Little Red Book and he has a lot of great tips like this. Harvey died about 20 years ago, but he taught at Austin Country Club and his prized students were Kite and Crenshaw.