Opinions?Started hitting Fades and....

[Chicago Seminole]

and I have never hit a fade until yesterday and today at the range. My "straight shot" is a high draw with the occasional duck hook, pull hook, and block push. The last couple of days at the range my shots have been alternating between fades and draws.

Now before anyone says something about needing to see a video of my swing first, I am just curious as to what causes a Fade, other than the obvious out-to-in swing. I have always struggled with a hook so I have never bothered to read about what causes slices.

I have a strong grip and my setup isn't changing other than possibly playing the ball to far forward. I usually try to limit my back swing to just short of parallel and it is usually a little laid off. If my club shaft is pointing to the right of my target line at the top of the backswing, will this cause an out to in swing path?

Also with my driver I am hitting some big push fades. I tee the ball even with my left foot which I know is too far forward, but would this cause a push fade. Thanks.

[Tomassi]

Fades are cause by imparting side spin on the ball. Pushes are caused by having your swing path coming from the inside to outside which pushes the ball. The fade portion of the shot is caused by the side spin so your most likely not squaring the club up at impact and imparting a little side spin.

Since you say you normally hit the ball with a slight draw your swing path is probably very rounded. The problem with this is that your timing has to be VERY good to square and release the club through impact to hit it straight. If you don't, you'll hit push fades, if you over compensate, you'll hit duck hooks. The ball position will not really change things so I would focus on swinging back and into the ball on straighter lines to eliminate using your hands to release and square the club.

[double_j]

You're probably a fairly handsy player like me and rely on a good bit of feel and timing to square the clubface at impact after a relatively flat backswing. The slice/push is probably a result of getting the club stuck behind. I've been working on bringing the club back along the target line with the driver to make sure I'm getting good extension on the proper swing plane. From that point on your hands don't really have to do much to keep the ball straight. Just make sure that the butt of the club is pointing down the target line and your arms are fully extended at the midpoint of your backswing and you should be fine. You might actually pick up some easy distance, too.

[Chicago Seminole]

I am definitely a "handsy player". One of my biggest problems is hitting half shots. Even with a half swing, I hit my 56 SW over 100 yards. I know I have alot of wrist action in my swing, but that is also the reason I can hit 270-280 yard drives, and 210 yard 5 irons, so I am afraid to change it.

[saevel25]

No way you can create that much power with hands only, you really have to get some serious rotation speed as well. Because its rotation that drives the swing, your hands can add on more power to it.

If you originally hit draws or a straight ball, the fade. whats happening is you are loosing your timing with your hands. Your either holding onto the release to much fading the ball or your releasing it to soon and pulling the ball.

[Scott_K]

.........If my club shaft is pointing to the right of my target line at the top of the backswing, will this cause an out to in swing path?

At the top, I think when you're pointed to the right of the target line, it can lead to an out to inside swing path (someone please confirm that). I have this issue as well.

Sometimes I tee the ball in the middle of left shoe. So I agree that it's a little too far forward. It depends on my timing that day. Here's another thing to think about. I notice you're using a Burner. I have an '09 which is a little too long (46.25") and use every inch of it. Since the club is so long, I end up teeing the ball pretty forward to compensate. When I do this, my shoulders open up at address. This gets me into the out to inside swing path. I catch myself from time to time when I'm hitting some big push fades.

[Chicago Seminole]

Yeah, I choke up an inch or two on the Burner, that shaft is way too long, But i do notice my shoulder alignment gets way to open with my driver swing. I hit about 1 or 2 big push fades that go about 45 degrees away from the target line.

[Travtex]

Yeah, I choke up an inch or two on the Burner, that shaft is way too long, But i do notice my shoulder alignment gets way to open with my driver swing. I hit about 1 or 2 big push fades that go about 45 degrees away from the target line.

I've had this problem. The Driver Push Fade is my sworn enemy. (I don't think too far -forward- could cause a PF. If anything, I think that'd promote a pull unless you're chicken-winging something fierce. Looking at my handicap, though, I could be drastically wrong. :D)

As far as the open shoulders with forward ball position thing goes... Someone very recently posted a relevant video that I experimented with at the range, today. I'd cite the thread itself if I could remember where I saw it. The idea was basically when you stepped back into your setup with the ball in a good forward heel position, and then set your club up to the ball, that would cause your shoulders to open. The drill involved setting up a tee further back and setting up your address position to THAT (And then keeping your head behind that position to encourage a slightly ascending blow). I'm probably describing it poorly, but I'm sure somebody else will remember what the hell I'm talking about. *heh*

[double_j]

I am definitely a "handsy player". One of my biggest problems is hitting half shots. Even with a half swing, I hit my 56 SW over 100 yards. I know I have alot of wrist action in my swing, but that is also the reason I can hit 270-280 yard drives, and 210 yard 5 irons, so I am afraid to change it.

If you're hitting 100 yard half SWs, then that's not a half swing.

Note that your hands aren't really creating extra power under the 'handsy hypothesis'. They're just doing extra work as your mechanism to square the clubface at impact. You'll still create the same power with an on-plane backswing. You'll just find it more consistent and easier to control.

[saevel25]

Well maybe he is just use to overswinging. I know that i have to work on my overswinging and to do it i have to think 3/4th shots. so to me my 3/4th swing thought is parallel. Because i have been overswinging for about 10 years.

[Scott_K]

Yeah, I choke up an inch or two on the Burner, that shaft is way too long, But i do notice my shoulder alignment gets way to open with my driver swing. I hit about 1 or 2 big push fades that go about 45 degrees away from the target line.

If your shoulders get too open, the swing path will follow, resulting in the big push fade. When I remember to check my shoulder alignment, I have better success. Also, the stock stiff shaft isn't too stiff. I think it's a factor to think about. I'm going to start choking up on it first before I start cutting it down or swapping out the shaft all together.

Travtex, I think you're thinking of the "Get rid of that slice!" thread where the guy puts the dummy tee in the ground and talks about his shirt buttons. Pretty good video which explains some ideas. I don't agree with the ascending blow.