Hitting a fade with an adjustable driver

[walk18]

Does anyone here play an adjustable driver set on the open face position (cobra drivers for example) in order to help with a fade, that they might otherwise not be able to hit? I'm looking for a new driver and fades have never come easily to me, but it's a shot I'd like to have when needed. Just wondering if the open face setting really helps. Thanks.

[k-troop]

It does and it doesn't. What really matters is that the face is open relative to the swingpath at impact.  You certainly don't need an adjustable face to make this happen--you can just start with the face open at address.

Actually, this is a point I don't really understand about moveable face technology.  The "open" setting, such as on the Titleist 910D, turns the clubhead toe out.  However, this only matters if you put your hands in the exact same place on the grip each time.  The grips used to, back in the day, have lines to give you a reference point for your hands--but since the shafts are removeable/rotateable now, the grips are plain.  So, the "open" setting will spin the clubhead on the shaft, but when you sole the club it's going right back to whatever setup is neutral for the clubhead when soled.

I'm sure I'm missing something.

As for the original question, if you want to be able to work the ball with the modern drivers you have to look at more than adjustability or face angle.  Most of the drivers being made today are designed to eliminate all sidespin (Titleist 910D2 for example) and are very difficult to move side to side.  Some still retain bulge and roll characteristics that allow you to work the ball.  I can work the ball right easily with my 910D3, but left is more difficult (I can hit a sweeping hook, but a tight draw is tough to do on command).  The fairway woods are easier to work.

I look at it as a tradeoff with the modern equipment:  it's tougher to hit a tight draw with my driver, but I can hit the same shot with the 3-wood and which is only 10-15 yards shorter than my old driver was.  And it's a lot easier to hit a 300-yard skyball with the new equipment, and you can get distance much more consistently.  So, it's a win overall even though it's tougher to shape shots now than it was 10 years ago.

[walk18]

Thanks ktroop. I'm guessing from the lack of responses that most people here do not play adjustable drivers. So never mind, I guess.. :p

[iacas]

Originally Posted by walk18

Thanks ktroop. I'm guessing from the lack of responses that most people here do not play adjustable drivers. So never mind, I guess.. :p

No, I think it's more likely that the actual response is simply this: you hit a fade the exact same way as with a non-adjustable driver. The ball flight laws and the things you have to do to create the impact alignments necessary don't change just because the driver has a screw or a plate or some gearing inside it.

Clubface pointing left of target at impact with path farther to the left (I'm assuming you're a righty - you've not set that field in your profile).

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by walk18

Thanks ktroop. I'm guessing from the lack of responses that most people here do not play adjustable drivers. So never mind, I guess.. :p

My adjustable driver features two adjustable weights. When set to promote a fade it makes bringing the clubface back to square a shade more difficult. I've found it promotes a straight push rather than the pull fade I'm looking for, but if I get used to it, it might be money.

[Beachcomber]

Personally, having an adjustable driver is something I have experimented with at the range, but when I go to the course, I pretty much always have it set to neutral as I like to work the ball both left and right.

I'm a right handed golfer who is actually left handed (my left hand is dominant).  My natural swing is to hit a draw...  But when I need to hit a fade here is what I do:

(1.) Clubface is square to my target at address.

(2.) My feet are slightly open to my target line (front foot is open).

(3.) On my takeaway - I take the club back on an outside line... It feels as if my hands are outside my normal takeway.

I only do these three things and - just swing normal and it creates a nice power fade.

Note, I have an R11, and I play it with the neutral / normal settings... Going with an adjustable driver is going to be more and more of the norm as manufacturers move down that path, but to be frank, I don't know many people who even mess with the settings after they buy the driver.  The key is knowing how to hit a fade, and feeling comfortable and having the confidence to do it.

[drglew]

I play a Nickent Evolver, currently set at neutral; used to set at 1* closed, but swing changed over time and hit too many hooks.

I'm guessing very few amateurs with adjustable drivers have them set for fade bias, as most amateurs fight a slice, not a hook.  And once your swing gets good where you can shape the ball and hit a draw at will, you're probably good enough to shape it either way--i.e. at that point you don't need much "help" from the club and would likely want it set near neutral.