Small Fade

[iPutt]

It seems that my natural swing is always contained some sort of fade. It started off as a huge push-slice and, now that my swing finally feels like it's finally coming around, turned into a sort of baby fade on best shots. Now my question is, is this bad? Should I be trying to get my shots completely straight, Or do I just play with what my natural swing is? Also does this take away some of my distance? I've heard that a small draw gains distance but what about a fade?

[SubPar]

It seems that my natural swing is always contained some sort of fade. It started off as a huge push-slice and, now that my swing finally feels like it's finally coming around, turned into a sort of baby fade on best shots. Now my question is, is this bad? Should I be trying to get my shots completely straight, Or do I just play with what my natural swing is? Also does this take away some of my distance? I've heard that a small draw gains distance but what about a fade?

A draw adds distance because you are shutting down the clubface (delofting) a little. A fade is promoted by an open clubface which adds a little loft, so you lose some carry.

SubPar

[CG031]

Some of the best drivers of the golf balls on Tour play fades. Why? More Control. As SubPar did say, a little less distance though. But control is more important for a high handicapper such as yourself. A lot of drawers off the tee you see them hit huge duck hooks a lot, even the good players.

Stick with your natural ball flight. Everyone has one, I really don't know anyone who always hits the ball dead straight... there are pro's and con's tot playing the fade and there are pro's and con's to playing with a draw. As long as it's not a hook or slice, it's not hurting you. Key words: Fade and Draw . Playing your naturally tendency is just fine, especially at a 24 handicap. If it's a small fade, it can't be killing your game, and it's not prohibiting your progress as a player unless it's a huge slice or draw with no control.

[imtomtomim]

Yes, absolutely stick to that natural shot. Don't try to hit something you're not a kin to going for.

More on fades though, my natural shot shape is a draw but most of the time, I try to play a fade on the course. The controlability (is that a word?) is much higher than a draw which I find more shots leaking into a hook. I forgot who said it, but you can always talk to a slice but a hook won't listen. Fades also tend to spin a bit more for me and stick a little better. The major benefit of hitting a draw for me is that I can carry it on a lower trajectory and let it roll out more which is great for wind.

Altogether, if you're just trying to get consistent contact and a good strike, play what's coming out instead of trying to force something new. Nothing wrong with playing your game the way it is.

[grantc79]

Yes, absolutely stick to that natural shot. Don't try to hit something you're not a kin to going for.

Lee Trevino said that I'm pretty sure.

As far as a "natural shot" I personally don't think anyone has a natural shot. Learn why a ball fades/slices and learn why a ball draws/hooks. If you want to be a good golfer learn how to make the ball do what you want it to. If you just want to play on the weekend then stick with your "natural shot."

[CG031]

Lee Trevino said that I'm pretty sure.

Almost all good players have a natural tendency.

I know mine is to draw the golf ball. Can I hit a fade? Sure. I know how to, I can execute, but not always. It's much easier to just play my draw right side of the fairway and let it come back a bit...Do I miss sometimes? Absolutely. My point was that no one I know hits the ball dead straight everytime. Most good players have a tendency to either a small fade on the ball (3-5 yds) or a small draw (3-5 yds)... I know my friend is a +3 handicap and his natural tendency is a fade. He always hits a fade unless he absolutely has to hit a draw on a dogleg or something...but he will just keep playing his small 3 yd fade out there... Don't see anything wrong with it.