Off the Tee... Draw of Fade, which is the safest go to Shot

[kuteazn1]

Wondering what is the safest go to shot off the tee, a power fade or a draw.
Which one and why?

I am thinking a power fade for me, because the draw does not always happen.

[Leftygolfer]

The fade is much easier to control. It runs less when it hits the ground. That being said, I do not ever hit fades becuase I am so inconsistant with that shot.

[jorruss]

The fade is generally the safer shot.

A fade has more backspin than a draw, which translates to better accuracy. To hit a fade, the path of the club has to come from outside to in, and that produces a slightly descending hit, generating more backspin. Most amateur golfers exaggerate this move and, combined with an open face, produce a slice. With the new golf balls and clubs, a fade shot goes further these days than they once did, because the balls don't spin as much.

[TN94z]

Definitely fade.

[lumpuckeroo]

Fade, usually goes higher and lands softer, won't run out like a draw.

[deafheaven]

I know I'm a high handicapper and there's much much better players on here than me, but shouldn't the shape of the fairway determine which is the better shot to select? Of course the location of the hazzards in the fairway are also a determining factor. I sometimes like to aim for where I do NOT want to be and then either draw or fade from that target.

[David in FL]

You can talk to a fade, but a hook won't listen!

[Leftygolfer]

I know I'm a high handicapper and there's much much better players on here than me, but shouldn't the shape of the fairway determine which is the better shot to select? Of course the location of the hazzards in the fairway are also a determining factor. I sometimes like to aim for where I do NOT want to be and then either draw or fade from that target.

I agree and somewhat dissagree. I would never aim for a hazard. A straight ball should not hurt you. I would love to be able to do both but science proves fades are easier to control. There are not many pros that play a draw and that is for that reason.

[TN94z]

I know I'm a high handicapper and there's much much better players on here than me, but shouldn't the shape of the fairway determine which is the better shot to select? Of course the location of the hazzards in the fairway are also a determining factor. I sometimes like to aim for where I do NOT want to be and then either draw or fade from that target.

Kind of....I mean I have hit many fades on a dogleg left or draws on a dogleg right. If you can't hit it around the dogleg left, then the draw may get you behind trees, etc...There are too many factors that can play into that selection, but as far as which one is more safe, then its the fade.

[deafheaven]

Very illuminating. I will say though that for me, my fade can turn into a slice pretty easily while my draw ends up a straight shot and only occassionally a hook.

When I say I aim at the hazzard I want to avoid, I only mean I aim at that general area. For example, a bunker on the right hand side of the fairway within driver range, I'll aim just left of that bunker and play a draw. There are times I do aim directly at the hazzard however. That will get me in more trouble when hitting a draw because my miss tends to go straight as an arrow.