Is the "Power Fade" misnamed?

[CalBoomer]

The power fade is the preferred tee shot of many professionals and amateurs. But the very name "power fade" gives the shot a mystique it does not warrant and tends to obscure how it is executed. The shot was originally popularized by Ben Hogan to control his severe hook, and it took him from journeyman to golfing immortal. The name "Anti-hook shot" would be a more accurate name, if less glamorous.

The "power" aspect of the power fade comes from the inside-out swing pattern of all advanced golfers. The "fade" aspect comes from the use of grip, set-up, and release alterations to keep the club face slightly open at contact--or at least minimally closed. In practice, the shot may fade right, go straight, or, at worst, draw slightly. What it will not do is hook significantly.

Various golfers use different alterations to produce the fade. Hogan weakened his grip. Trevino held his release. Others set up with the club face slightly open. Almost everyone lines up their feet slightly left to accommodate the expected fade.

However, if you accept the concept that this basically an anti-hook shot, you might treat it slightly differently. For me, it fades only slightly, or goes straight, or draws slightly. Hence I aim down the middle, unless there is special trouble to be avoided at all costs.

What the shot is not is a controlled slice. Most beginners cannot execute the shot because they have an outside-in swing, and the power fade can only be hit with an inside-out swing.

One final thought, given that it is the most bullet-proof "Almost straight" shot, it is hard to understand why all advanced golfers don't use it most of the time, except when a more exaggerated draw is absolutely necessary. I suspect the reason is the name and a macho tendency to avoid any shot that might be perceived as some variation of a slice.

When Stewart Cink took himself out of the Fed-Ex tournament by hooking two consecutive drives out of bounds, one might ask why a power fade wasn't in his reportoire.

[DBeane]

I have always thought (and strive for) a swing that allows me to use both left to right and right to left shots.

I dont know where the term originated, if I had to guess I would say you could probably credit Jack with the term. The left to right shot I have heard called many names; cut, fade, cunny thumb, power fade, tumbling fade (this seems to be the new one). I suppose that what you call it is personal preference. I usually say cut shot or fade.

-Beane

[CalBoomer]

I have always thought (and strive for) a swing that allows me to use both left to right and right to left shots.

I really have to disagree that a cut shot and power fade are the same. Because of the way it is hit, a power fade rises less and runs out more, almost like a draw. It is also commonly hit with a wood or longer iron. A cut shot by contrast, is a controlled slice which moves more to the right, rises higher, and dies with relatively little run out. It is more likely hit with a mid or short iron.

[Zeph]

It may have been an anti-hook shot for Hogan, but what does that matter for the rest who use it? It is a preferred shot by many because they can play their regular inside to outside swing and hit a shot curving from left to right (for a right handed player). The other option of hitting a cut shot is to open slightly with the body and cut across the ball, losing distance and having to swing differently.

[mctaylor22]

I love hitting one. To me it feels like you can just sit back and have at it. I think a lot of amateurs don't play it because they are too busy trying to fix their slice. Why would they want to hit something right when all they've been seeing is going right, and staying right. As for Big Stew, if i remember correctly, there was a long bunker lining the right corner of that fairway and he probably wanted to take it out of play and put the ball on the top of the fairway. Who knows--only he will.

[Leftygolfer]

There is a really great thread on here that talks about this and how to hit it. Look it up if interested.

[CalBoomer]

I love hitting one. To me it feels like you can just sit back and have at it. I think a lot of amateurs don't play it because they are too busy trying to fix their slice. Why would they want to hit something right when all they've been seeing is going right, and staying right. As for Big Stew, if i remember correctly, there was a long bunker lining the right corner of that fairway and he probably wanted to take it out of play and put the ball on the top of the fairway. Who knows--only he will.

I felt bad for Cink too, but the incident really points out the potential random uncontrollability of the draw/hook even at the highest levels of golf. There is just less wrist/hand/release variability in the "power fade" or "anti-hook" shot and less chance for disaster or a big number or both.

[shortstop20]

I have started playing with a weaker grip and am really liking the results. I either hit the ball straight or a slight fade with the driver, and even if my release gets screwy it turns into nothing more than a medium draw.

I find it way more manageable than a draw which has the possibility of turning into a hook at any time.

[CalBoomer]

I have started playing with a weaker grip and am really liking the results. I either hit the ball straight or a slight fade with the driver, and even if my release gets screwy it turns into nothing more than a medium draw.

My experience exactly.

[Ben]

There is a difference. A powerfade is not at all about not hitting a hook, its about getting added distance to a fade, hence "power" fade. We all know fades fly less and have anti-roll spin rather than what is produced with a draw. I'm looking for a powerfade on a long (460y+) par 4 that demands both staying away from the left side and getting yourself as far down the fairway as possible. #6 at Angeles National (459y) or #3 at PGA West Stadium Course (471y) both come to mind. I am trying to power out a huge drive that happens to be a fade. I would hit a plain'ol fade on a small dogleg right (380y - 420y). No need for extra distance, just a smooth fade to the fairway.

[James_Black]

Whenever I try it I end up slicing it.
that could be because I'm a higher handicap golfer though XD

I normally play a slight draw.

[CalBoomer]

There is a difference. A powerfade is not at all about not hitting a hook, its about getting added distance to a fade, hence "power" fade. We all know fades fly less and have anti-roll spin rather than what is produced with a draw. I'm looking for a powerfade on a long (460y+) par 4 that demands both staying away from the left side and getting yourself as far down the fairway as possible.

Too bad we can't channel Ben Hogan. I think he would disagree with you.

[Ben]

That's your response? Channel a dead person, "surely he'll tell you you are wrong."

What you have described in your original post is a normal fade. You described the mechanics that it takes to hit it. If you try rereading what I've replied, you'll see that I am describing something a little bit more, when a normal fade becomes a powerfade.

Perhaps this thread should really be called, "Have I misinterpreted what a powerfade is?"

[iacas]

We all know fades fly less and have anti-roll spin rather than what is produced with a draw.

Fades tend to be hit higher for two reasons. They're hit with an open clubface, which both adds loft and backspin. Thus the fade goes higher and comes into the ground at a steeper angle. They tend to carry a bit farther, too.

Fade spin is the same exact thing as draw spin. The ball still primarily spins backwards, it just leans a little right or left. Draws just happen to be hit with less loft because that's what happens when the clubface is closed a bit. Anyway, I thought we had a thread like this just recently? A power fade's a fade that's still hit relatively squarely with a slightly open clubface (relative to the swing path). A few degrees, so a good bit of energy is transferred. If you can keep the handle ahead so you take off some of the loft the open clubface/path adds, great - more "power." That's it.

[Ben]

I didn't catch that thread.

[clubhousehero]

I've toyed with the idea of switching to a fade but the course i usually play really favors a right to left ball flight.

[misty_mountainhop]

There is a really great thread on here that talks about this and how to hit it. Look it up if interested.

...Anyway, I thought we had a thread like this just recently?...

Don't suppose anyone knows the link? Had a search but can't see anything that immediately jumps out...

[iacas]

Don't suppose anyone knows the link? Had a search but can't see anything that immediately jumps out...

I was probably thinking of this one:

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28829 Did any of you search for "power fade" in the titles only? Only about three or four threads popped up.