Do you draw the ball?

[$2 Nassau]

Oh yeah, I draw it alright.

[golfaddiction]

Is a "natural fade" simply a swing coming slightly over the top, but where the player has learned to keep the clubface square?

I'm wondering the same thing. Is a "natural" fade actually a swing flaw, and a "natural" draw just hitting the ball correctly? I know there is no such thing as a "correct" swing, as long as the ball goes where you want it to go, but I'm pretty sure everyone on tour hits a draw by default and a fade only if the hole requires it.

[goblue107501]

I try to just hit the ball straight. I can hit draw or fade if needed, but usually a play for a straight shot. My 'perfect' swing will produce a slight draw, but it will start to the right and end up at the target so it is basically a straight shot.

[HSip]

well there was always an old saying Jack Nicklaus had, he never tried to hit a straight shot. He would always force a fade or draw, usually fade.

I think he also said that hitting a ball straight was the hardest shot in golf. I must say it always surprises me.

[Zeph]

Hitting it dead straight may be harder than hitting a fade or draw in terms of where the ball is likely to land. The biggest advantage of the curved shot is that it will curve towards the middle of the fairway, starting at the edge. A straight shot will curve to either side, depending on the amount of side spin, but there you only need half the miss in yards to find the rough.

[pjsnyc]

Is a "natural fade" simply a swing coming slightly over the top, but where the player has learned to keep the clubface square?

You're basically right (for my swing at least). Its just 'easier' for me to hit a fade since I basically just fine-tuned a bad slice. Hitting a draw is really forced for me.

[buckman821]

I'm wondering the same thing. Is a "natural" fade actually a swing flaw, and a "natural" draw just hitting the ball correctly? I know there is no such thing as a "correct" swing, as long as the ball goes where you want it to go, but I'm pretty sure everyone on tour hits a draw by default and a fade only if the hole requires it.

This is very not true.

I think the idea of "natural" is a little misleading. "Default" would be probably more appropriate. What I mean by that, is that if they just sort of let their swing go, they would hit that type of shot. Plenty of tour pros play a default fade. Jack Nicklaus for one. A more modern example would be Anthony Kim. I will agree that most tour players, and good players in general. Play a draw by default, and many probably "fight" their draw, as it can sometimes overpower them. Every since I have been of adult strength (say 5 years or so) I have played a draw. When struggling it becomes a hook. Recently I've been trying to change to a fade. I realize I'm likely to lose some distance but I need the extra control in a big way.

[billm408]

There are a number of ways to hit a draw, but please don't try to do so by manipulating your right hand. Doing so can quickly lead to a closed headface at impact, smothered hooks, and death......well,

+1. Let the club release your hands not the other way around. Trying to manufacture top hand roll can get away from you pretty quickly.

If you swing the club using just your thumbs and index fingers for grip, you'll get a good feel for how the club works your hands. At the top, the club will set itself and it will square itself and release at the bottom too. It's a great drill.

[CarlSpackler]

I worked for years on hitting a draw and found that I was in trouble more often. I weakened my grip and now hit more of a power fade. This can turn into the banana if I grip too tightly unfortunately, but it keeps me in play more often. On a dogleg left, I will strengthen my grip and close my stance in attempt to draw it around the corner.

[imtomtomim]

Well, personally, I would love to fade the ball more consistently (need to bend my irons flatter too!). Anyways, a draw is my natural shot shape. With my normal swing, the ball will tend to want to come back to the left a bit. That's just the nature of my one plane swing. However, I am making transition to fades as a stock shot because they tend to fly just a bit higher and stick a little better. Draw will get you a little extra distance because it will fly a bit lower and roll more instead of tail up and drop. There are advantages to both shots. Draws are also a bit better in the wind as it will normally hold it's line better due to the nature of it's spin and lower flight. Keep working on that draw, but it does not NEED to be your stock shot for you to be a good player.

[Prairie Golfer]

I skip the draw and go straight to the pull hook or smother hook.

[JGulkCG]

i used to play the draw until i realized it got me into more trouble than needed, also my pro knocked some sense into me. The fade is the way to go. Having a ball go straight and then fall to the right. Nothing is more beautiful than that.

[wedge player]

As a mid-high handicapper, consistent ball striking has always been elusive. At the range yesterday, I concentrated on turning the club over with my right hand and hitting a draw on every shot. This is how the pros do it, right? I pulled about 1 in 5 shots, but I started getting the hang of it. My drives were particularly better because I've always tended to fade/slice. When I concentrated on turning the face over, almost all shots were on line with various degrees of draw.

umm wen i wanna draw it i close the face line up left and swing.

[wedge player]

I tend to fade my driver and draw my irons- not sure why.

same here

[bogeyhitter25]

Around a 2 or 3 yard draw if I'm swinging good. If not it can be up to 10 or 15.

[Titleist Man]

i used to play the draw until i realized it got me into more trouble than needed, also my pro knocked some sense into me. The fade is the way to go. Having a ball go straight and then fall to the right. Nothing is more beautiful than that.

Its beautiful unless you start your shot right of the flag and then it fades. I have much experience with this situation.....

[JGulkCG]

Its beautiful unless you start your shot right of the flag and then it fades. I have much experience with this situation.....

proper alignment.

[misty_mountainhop]

Yup. Can't get my head round a fade although I can do it when needed. I'm lucky I guess in that when I'm off I tend to hit a slight block rather than get into the duck hook area...that's not fun .