Stop fading???

[ericstamper]

Played 27 yesterday only to find out that fading the ball is the easiest way to hit fairways. I hit every fairway except 3 on the first 9 holes. I used to be the type of guy that would rather hook three balls out than slice one but after yesterday i will gladly play the cutter. Knowing it was going to come back everytime i was able to swing more aggressive and get more yardage instead of trying to guide it into the fairway. I always try to fix the cut but i feel this is my stock shot. No manipulation, no swing thoughts. Aim right rough and let it feed into fairway. Anyone else have this in play?

[TaylorMadeTaylor]

I do. The fade is really my "go to" shot with most of my clubs, although I like to play a push-draw with my driver most of the time. It gives me hella control so the ball always ends up right where I intend to put it.

People often think of a fade as "bad" because most people do it unintentionally as a result of an out-to-in swing path. It's not something you should try to get rid of if your doing it right.

[CrazyXGolfer]

If it;s your stock shot keep it. Just like my stock is a high "stright" shot.

But when I need to consistantly hit fairways and greens, I also like to play a very low fade.

[bunkerputt]

Good fades are great shots. Bad ones are just the result of a bad swing and don't hold up any more than a shut clubface with quick hands and slow legs causing a pull hook does. Consistent fades come from a body that is opening quickly and pulling the club across the target line adding cut spin. With a square to slightly open clubface, the ball is starting straight or slightly pushed and fading more. That's the best way to be consistent with a fade as proven by the top ball strikers playing them (Hogan, Trevino, etc.) If that's your action, go for it. Weak golfers think fading the ball is a weak shot not worthy of admiration. I suggest they tell that to Jason Zuback (preferably while he is front-squatting 400+lbs) who faded the ball to 5x Remax World LDA championships.

[kpaulhus]

I play a stock fade. If I need to draw the ball for a slight dog leg left, I can do it. Like you, I aim for the edge of the left rough and let it fade back into the fairway. The only issues I have run into with this, is that all of my clubs are 5-7 yards shorter, and if I hit a pull it has a greater chance of being in trouble. I too hated the fade when I was a 13 handicap because I never knew when I was going to hit a slice. Now I know I am hitting the ball square with a slight out to in swing path. The reason I embrace the fade is because for months I worked on hitting a draw, but I never knew how much it was going to draw. With my fade, I can land the ball in a 25ft zone depending on how far left I start it.

[motteler621]

if your putting up low scores (in 70's) then dont try to change anything. If not, find out whats hurting your score

[binga7]

I play a stock fade. If I need to draw the ball for a slight dog leg left, I can do it. Like you, I aim for the edge of the left rough and let it fade back into the fairway. The only issues I have run into with this, is that all of my clubs are 5-7 yards shorter, and if I hit a pull it has a greater chance of being in trouble. I too hated the fade when I was a 13 handicap because I never knew when I was going to hit a slice. Now I know I am hitting the ball square with a slight out to in swing path. The reason I embrace the fade is because for months I worked on hitting a draw, but I never knew how much it was going to draw. With my fade, I can land the ball in a 25ft zone depending on how far left I start it.

Man i had to blink twice to make sure it wasnt me posting. lol.

I am in the situation you describe. 13 hdcp, can play the fade consistently, and land 20 balls in a 5 meter circle with approx 5-10 yds fade on them. I also notice the 5 yds loss of distance with this shot. My problem is I cant hit a straight one or draw one on command. I also for some silly reason aim for a straight shot in the hope it goes straight when i know it will fade a bit. Also in my stubborness, i just dont want to accept a fade. I have it drummed into my head that the only way to single digits is to play a draw. At what point did you see the light and accept the fade??

[Akline13]

I'm with most of you guys, playing a fade is much more consistant and way easier to control. I'm willing to sacrifice a few yards to be in the fairway every hole.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Also in my stubborness, i just dont want to accept a fade. I have it drummed into my head that the only way to single digits is to play a draw. At what point did you see the light and accept the fade??

At the point you read this: See the light. Accept the fade. Screw the five yards.

There. Wasn't that easy? :)

[kpaulhus]

Man i had to blink twice to make sure it wasnt me posting. lol.

You just have to realize that a fade is how your going to hit it. I work on a draw on the range. Ill hit a draw, a straight ball, and a long fade. A well struck draw rolls further than my high fade, but the fade gives me more carry. Once you are comfortible with your game and know what club does what, getting into single digits is all about the short game. I dont hit a bunch of greens a round, maybe 35% on avg (which I need to work on) but I can scramble like a mad man.

[Chicago Lefty]

Also in my stubborness, i just dont want to accept a fade. I have it drummed into my head that the only way to single digits is to play a draw. At what point did you see the light and accept the fade??

I play a fade and am a single digit player. The worst days I have on the course are when I try working the ball too much. If I just accept the fade with the driver, I hit the majority of fairways. When I think I've got to hit the draw is when I get into a bunch of trouble. The right play for me is to take 3 wood and either lay up short of the bend/trouble, or play the draw with the 3 wood which is a little more consistent.

Same thing goes for my irons. When I play my stock shot, which is straight, I play great. When I start thinking I'm Bubba Watson and try to move the ball into every green, my game goes to hell. This is why I have K.I.S.S taped to the pocket of my bag where I keep my GPS. Keep it simple, stupid...

[binga7]

I have sinced worked out my fade comes from a huge spin out of the hips way to early before impact, instead of sliding them laterally to the target. This partly comes from me trying to nail every shot as far as humanly possible.

Your right, its time to embrace the fade as my natural shot. I will keep working on the draw just so i can hit one if i need to, but the fade is coming with me all the way.

[mirv]

i love the fade. i need to learn how to hit a good draw for those right-left doglegs (i usually overdo it and hit a snap hook), but i know i can count on a little 5 yard fade with my driver just about every time, and since i accepted that and worked with it instead of against it, my average scores have dropped several strokes.

[binga7]

How do you work with it. Say to turn a 20 yd fade into a 5 yard fade?

[Leftygolfer]

All being able to play is being able to consistantly hit it the same way and having your misses playable. I've always been a drawer of the ball and have recently started cutting my driver. I like this shot as I think the misses aren't as bad as long as I don't hit a huge pull or over swing and hit a beginner looking slice. The hard thing for me is training my eyes to align my body correctly for the shot I am trying to hit. I pulled the ball for years and therefore square and open looked odd until recently. I think I've finally retrained my eyes so I align myself correctly and feel confortable.