Hitting a Fade (Ball Flight Question)

[iacas]

Just curious to see how this shakes out. Vote with what you think makes sense.

[kleraudio]

I voted aim left of the tree... but yesterday I would have clicked aim right of the tree.

But after reading your posts I think I have changed my mind. Its just hard for me to grasp the concept of aiming left of the tree, then opening up the stance even more.

I did it today during my round, same exact situation with a 3 wood off the deck, felt weird as hell, but guess what.... Nice high fade right at the green!!

JIm

[Fourputt]

Doesn't it actually depend on where your actual target is? Theoretically, you are supposed to aim the clubface at the target, then setup your swing on the line where you want the ball to start. If the green/hole is in line with the tree, then I aim the clubface at the tree, but I aim my swing left of the tree.

And then usually hit a pull hook.

[jamo]

Wait, i clicked right instead of left.

I wish to recast my vote to left.

[nike_golf]

My answer is slightly left.

[wmiller]

I aim the club face where I want to start the ball, then control the amount of fade by how much I open my stance/delay my hands. The shot starts left of the tree, then fades around it. That's if I executed the shot correctly of course...

[clubchamp]

This is a tough one to answer because there's a lot of variables. It really depends on distance if I'm at a range and there's room I'd consider going with a slice but if I need the distance I'd try to play as little as fade as possible.

[goob3r]

The angle of the face determines the direction of the ball, so the only way a righty's going to fade around the tree is aiming left. :)

[TinCupTampa]

Assuming the tree is in a direct line of the green... I aim the club face at the tree and feet aimed left of it.

[Zeph]

Wait, i clicked right instead of left.

That makes two. I read "draw" instead of "fade".

Clubface aimed left of target, body aimed further left.

[James_Black]

Well for a fade you bring the clubs from out-in.

So the ball is going to start off left and then go right.
The clubface at impact though is going to be open so that'll mean your going to hit it even further right.

So aim left.

[Big_M]

Wonder what Nick and Michael are voting?

[James_Black]

Well for a fade you bring the clubs from out-in.

But if you aim right then you'll get a bigger fade.....

I don't know really. I'd aim left though if I had to choose

[Zeph]

Having a discussion with yourself here?

I don't get all you've written there. "The clubface at impact though is going to be open"?

The club is swung out-to-in relative to the clubface, but not the body, you just turn it so you can swing square or in-to-out and have a path which goes left of the clubface and target.

[goblue107501]

I was taught by a very reputable pro a few years ago when I took lessons to aim the clubface at the target when you want to draw or fade a ball. You then adjust your stance and swingpath to accomplish the movement of the ball. I have used this technique many time with great success.

For this example, it would depend on where the tree was. If it was a tree 10 yards in front of me and I am trying to go around the base, I would most likely aim to the left of the tree just to make sure I didn't hit it. If the ball doesn't move to the right as much as I need it to, so be it, at least I have very little chance of hitting the tree. If the tree was on the right side of the fairway, 50 yards from the green and I am 150 out on the right side and need to go around the tree, I would aim at the target and move the ball as I have many times before.

[James_Black]

Having a discussion with yourself here?

I open the clubface a small bit when I hit a fade.

Thought that's what your meant to do.

[Doctorfro]

Aim left, slightly open stance, steep attack angle, watch it fly bending to the right

[duckhook]

I try to leave the clubface square and make sure I swing out to in and let the swing do the work. Most times if I open the club face at address it will take off directly to the right and get me in more trouble.