Hitting a fade

[Golfnub88]

My golf game has been greatly improving this summer. I have been hitting the ball consistently straight and I have developed confidence in my game.

Therefore, I decided I would go to the range and try to draw and fade the ball. This has been something I told myself I wouldn't do until I was comfortable with the straight shot.

So I set up trying the draw first (using the jack nicklaus method of closing the clubface and turning my shoulders in and aiming right of the target. After a few tries, I was having amazing results. The ball went a little further, had a beautiful, controlled draw, and landed exactly where I wanted it to.

Then I tried the fade, the same method, only I made everything opposite (clubface open, facing left of the target). I don't know why but 2 thing were happening.

1.) The ball would go perfectly straight at the target (good, I'll take it on the course, but it's not a fade)
2.) It would go straight, with no fade, only off to the right of the target.

Anyone have any tips with this?

[ZaPPPa]

You may want to check your path. You said you worked on a draw first. If your swing path stayed inside-out, but you open the club face, you end up with a push.

[Treemagnet]

What kind of irons do you have. Most cavity backs are offset pretty heavily. I don't remember the reason but I think the offset has something to do with it, and was told that those type of clubs make it really hard to fade the ball. but will draw the ball pretty easy.

[ks8829]

try hitting the same shot but take the club a little outside the line on the backswing.

and or

try holding your hands from turning over closed at impact

one or both of the above will give you a fade

Next time you need to hit a fade from off the fairway you can hit your driver with an open club face and an outside to in swing path

[DJYoshi]

try hitting the same shot but take the club a little outside the line on the backswing.

that's like the pro way to really do it...but it works the best.

you can also try swinging along your feet with an open stance.. that usually produces the spin to make the ball fade

[Golfnub88]

Alright thanks. I'm gonna give it a try tomorrow I think if I get to the range.

And when you say take the driver to the fairway, do you mean actually hit the driver off the fairway? In my experience, any time the driver is not off the tee it's bad news bears.

[kafka01]

If you want a fade/slice - tighten your grip (it delays the release) - dont realease much with the wrists and have a high finish, swinging the club almost over your head - additionally to the points already mentioned.

[loi888]

Followthru position is also key. If your hands are above your head, that is the way to finish a fade. If your hands are below your head (probably by your left shoulder), then that is for a draw.

[ks8829]

Alright thanks. I'm gonna give it a try tomorrow I think if I get to the range.

Yes, take the driver and hit off the deck or fairway, I set up my feet where I want to start the ball, slightly open up the face of the driver and take an outside swing with an abruptly picking up the driver and hit down on the ball. this will ensure a slice and can be another shot to play when you need to hit under trees and slicing around trees.

[Dub]

If you want a fade/slice - tighten your grip (it delays the release) - dont realease much with the wrists and have a high finish, swinging the club almost over your head - additionally to the points already mentioned.

This is something that I consider when setting up for a fade. As mentioned already: open stance and open shoulders, slightly opened clubface, a little firm on the grip and don't transfer as much weight (keep more on your back foot...even keeping it planted a bit more).

Do all this a few times in slow motion from behind the ball and make adjustments that just feel right so when you set up behind the ball you are grooved for the shot. Working the ball can be a lot of fun. I wish I were better at it. It is fun to play with someone who can really pull it off well. One of the better players I've ever played with gained great advantage by doing so. His theory was to just work it small amounts....not really bend the ball around corners or such, but simply to let it rise high and then tail off in the directions he wanted....mainly to access various pin locations and to fight into a wind. It was a thing to behold. As a result, his mishits avoided many bunkers due to his aiming over safe areas and trusting the ball to tail off from the apex towards his target.

[michaeljames92]

Gee i can't usually stop hitting a fade. how strange