So my Golf instructor introduced me to a fun drill

[Sir Ryan]

At first I just looked at him for a minute like, ...what? But then I caught onto it, and it's actually a lot of fun.

Basically, he told me to grab my driver and said to me that in my backswing he would say "Draw", "Fade", or simply nothing (hit it straight). Once he called the shot, I would have to trigger it as best as possible. I didn't see how its possible until I caught onto the mental response in my swing, and actually pulled off the drill pretty well.

He then explained that this little game helps a few key things... knowing your swing, having the perception to swing within yourself, knowing where the clubhead is, feeling where you are at all times, triggering with strong body response, etc. Gave me a lot more confidence when I know I actually have to hit those shots at the course...

Thought I'd share.

[Smarf]

Your instructor must read Golf Digest, I just saw an article describing this drill. I can't remember who the pro was they were talking about though.

[iammpspeer]

My stance is not the same for all of those types of shots.. I guess this drill is not for learning "how to" hit these shots but rather to allow you to feel in your backswing if you are going to hit the shot correctly or not?

[clubchamp]

Yeah it was in golf digest not too long ago but I can't remember who the pro was either. I also agree that my stance is a little open for a fade shot. If it works than I'd stick with it though.

[Elvisliveson]

Your instructor must read Golf Digest, I just saw an article describing this drill. I can't remember who the pro was they were talking about though.

Rory Mcilroy.

[TMO]

Doesn't that drill imply you are manipulating your swing plane / clubface to hit the shots. I could be wrong but I would rather just swing the same and change my stance a bit. But that's just me.

[deronsizemore]

Doesn't that drill imply you are manipulating your swing plane / clubface to hit the shots. I could be wrong but I would rather just swing the same and change my stance a bit. But that's just me.

Would definitely require clubface manipulation. This is how I shape shots. For a fade I just hold the release a little longer and for a draw (my normal shape) I just swing normal or let the release go a little sooner depending on how big of a draw or hook I need. I do change my stance slightly as well. Aim a little left for a fade with club face pointed at the target and the opposite for a draw.

[Sir Ryan]

Yes yes and yes. I asked the same thing, usually for a fade I would open my stance, accelerate a little more and make sure my face at impact allows the fade. For a draw, i'd aim a little right, close my face slightly, and swing through easy and follow my clubhead on my follow through to emphasize my turn.

He then stepped up to 3 balls and did a fade straight and draw without changing his stance.

[deronsizemore]

He then stepped up to 3 balls and did a fade straight and draw without changing his stance.

Yeah you can hit these shots without changing your stance through manipulating the club face with your hands. The main reason you'd want to adjust your stance is for your aim and to accommodate the additional curve you're intending to put on the ball. You could set up on way and hit shots that curve to the left and right but it would be difficult to hit them all at the target without first adjusting your stance to aim right or left of the target depending on what shot shape you're after.

[TMO]

Yeah you can hit these shots without changing your stance through manipulating the club face with your hands. The main reason you'd want to adjust your stance is for your aim and to accommodate the additional curve you're intending to put on the ball. You could set up on way and hit shots that curve to the left and right but it would be difficult to hit them all at the target without first adjusting your stance to aim right or left of the target depending on what shot shape you're after.

I agree that you CAN hit a fade and draw without changing your stance but I wouldn't want to simply because you are changing a fundamental part of your swing by messing with your hands. I would rather change my stance and clubface at set up and then swing normally. I just don't like having to make a "different" swing when I don't have to. It just gets too complicated.

[sonicblue]

Probably the only time Johnny Miller said something that I thought, "wow, he's dead on," was the following:

He said that the usual advice is just to hit the ball with an 'angled' clubface to impart spin, but what you get with that is somewhat of a 'glancing' blow. What you'd really rather do instead, is impact/compress the ball squarely, and then impart the spin while the ball is on the clubface. People usually say, how can you do that, the ball is on the clubface for merely an instant, but don't underestimate the power of the mind and how 'quickly' it can see.

I swear, I thought he was nuts, but soon thereafter, I went through a period where I really could see it and feel it. The thing I try to remember, or strive for, is that even when I shape shots, I want them to come off square/straight. I don't ever think of, e.g., starting a draw by pushing it out to the right then bringing it back. I'll align square to my desired starting point, attempt to hit the ball straight on that line, then draw/fade to my target. I get in trouble when I set up with an open or closed face, I just envision that I'm 'slapping' it. JMO.

[jkfletcher]

Your instructor must read Golf Digest, I just saw an article describing this drill. I can't remember who the pro was they were talking about though.

Rory McIlroy I think...

[enarhi]

Good drill. I feel like the constant advice of adjusting stance and clubface angle for a fade/draw is just a simple way to teach beginners these shots, whereas advanced players have more control and distance by producing the fade/draw with the swing itself. The pros sometimes even do the opposite of the common "closed alignment for a draw", instead opening up the stance slightly.

[TMO]

Good drill. I feel like the constant advice of adjusting stance and clubface angle for a fade/draw is just a simple way to teach beginners these shots, whereas advanced players have more control and distance by producing the fade/draw with the swing itself. The pros sometimes even do the opposite of the common "closed alignment for a draw", instead opening up the stance slightly.

I would strongly disagree. I think that beginners think that they can change the shape of the shot with their hands - which leads to very inconsistent shots. More advanced players, Nicklaus and Tiger seem pretty advanced to me at least, use their stance and clubface to change the shape of the ball. This can work for both beginners and pros, its just that beginners just don't know any better.

[iammpspeer]

I would strongly disagree. I think that beginners think that they can change the shape of the shot with their hands - which leads to very inconsistent shots. More advanced players, Nicklaus and Tiger seem pretty advanced to me at least, use their stance and clubface to change the shape of the ball. This can work for both beginners and pros, its just that beginners just don't know any better.

I agree. The pro's change their stance for sure.

[deronsizemore]

I would strongly disagree. I think that beginners think that they can change the shape of the shot with their hands - which leads to very inconsistent shots.

You're exactly right and don't take this as I'm disagreeing with you but I think there has to be some hand manipulation in the swing when playing a special shot shape like a fade or draw (assuming it's not your normal stock shot shape).

Even Tiger at one of his clinics on The Golf Channel when asked how he draws the ball and fades the ball said he adjusts his alignment but he also holds off the release or makes a conscious effort to release (for a draw). Thoughts?

[Sir Ryan]

You're exactly right and don't take this as I'm disagreeing with you but I think there has to be some hand manipulation in the swing when playing a special shot shape like a fade or draw (assuming it's not your normal stock shot shape).

agreed, and plus, if you do not change your stance it doesn't mean you must reside to using hands to hit the shot. For example, a slightly different plane.

[rehmwa]

a lot of people here saying they do it by timing the 'release' (i.e., adjusting face)

that's really hard to do for me

it's all about path for me.  I think, very lightly, about the shot shape I want as I address the ball.  Then I try not to overdo it.

- I think this drill for me might be a learning experience, but I'm not sure how it would help me overall other than that.