Natural draw vs fade vs straight shot shape

[ERdiesel]

After working on my swing, really trying to hit the ball more from an inside swing path this whole summer, i've noticed i've developed a small "natural" draw, starts right and ends up to where i'm targeting. I sometimes even get complimented on the course......but with my prevous flawed swing i would pretty much hit it dead straight. I read many posts where people talk about their natural shot shape, i.e. draw or fade or just plain straight and I've come to wonder if one specific shot shape is more desirable than another and is one more "correct" than another? If we assume there's a correct way to impact the ball (hands ahead of club face, from an inside path, etc.), than should your natural shot shape be more one or the other?

Curious.......................

[pittpanther]

I don't think there is a "correct" shape. Few golfers of any skill hit dead straight. Almost everyone tends to either draw or fade.

Since you have a draw, ideally you should aim towards the right of the fairway. Let the ball spin and direction carry you towards the middle of the fairway.

[ks8829]

It nice to be able to hit all three shots. draw or fade for tuck pins, draw for more distance and high fade for stopping around hard greens and more control on drives. If you analysis what the top players play as their natural shots and how many times they have won you might come to a conclusion on what is the preferred shot, but the course that they play becomes another factor and I guess thats why golf is so interesting and challenging.

[jayt0625]

It nice to be able to hit all three shots. draw or fade for tuck pins, draw for more distance and high fade for stopping around hard greens and more control on drives. If you analysis what the top players play as their natural shots and how many times they have won you might come to a conclusion on what is the preferred shot, but the course that they play becomes another factor and I guess thats why golf is so interesting and challenging.

I can't agree more. I find it almost impossible to hit it straight anymore, LOL, I am always trying to work it left to right mainly and then right to left when needed. I am much more accurate trying to fade one in there rather than hitting it straight.

[nevets88]

I think many people typically slice/fade and have problems drawing the ball, thus the compliments?

What I noticed about good players is how piercing their ball flight is, draw or fade.

My ball flight, the ball seems more to shoot up instead of coming out low and piercing. I always wonder if there's an optimal natural ball flight.

I've read that it medium high is desirable, but I've never been able to get low and piercing, I guess I just don't compress the ball enough or my swingspeed isn't high enough?

[alexio3108]

Both shot shapes are equal, neither is more correct than the other, if you can repeat the same shot shape everytime then golf becomes much easier

Although in my opinion, a gentle draw is a much prettier shot than a fade (probably because im incapable of a draw)

[chilly]

There's no right or wrong, Nicklaus hit a fade. The vast majority of "good" players I've played with, however, hit a draw. Those same players, many times, wish they could hit a fade because it generally lands softer.

[nevets88]

My ball flight, the ball seems more to shoot up instead of coming out low and piercing. I always wonder if there's an optimal natural ball flight.

Meant to say - I always wonder if there's an optimal natural ball flight *height*.

[jmanbooyaa]

I have been told I have a natural draw. Not sure but it does always go to the left of where I am aiming. Do I need to worry about type of clubs I use? Just got a 10.5 reg flex driver.

[plum]

id think any shot you can repeat would be best

[Rexx]

Greg Norman was well-known for hitting a high dead straight shot.  While pros usually have a preference, I think most golfers underestimate just how gentle of a curve most pros' shots really are.  The ball is hit farther and in the air so long that it's more like the ball is drifting in a particular direction rather than curving.