Using 5 Simple Keys to Draw and Fade

[mvmac]

So you recommend always taking the same grip (at least on non-specialty shot full swings), and just adjusting face angle and setup and trying to train yourself to bring it back to impact at that same angle?

Yes I don't recommend going stronger or weaker to change the curvature of a shot. Like Erik said, aim the clubface where you want want it, then put your hands on. So for a draw, face would be 2-3 degrees right of the target, and I want to return it 2-3 degrees right of the target.

Bringing it back to impact at the same angle is what I always try to do otherwise my intended start line would change. It doesn't make sense to set the face at a different angle than I want it to start on.

[mdl]

Yes I don't recommend going stronger or weaker to change the curvature of a shot. Like Erik said, aim the clubface where you want want it, then put your hands on. So for a draw, face would be 2-3 degrees right of the target, and I want to return it 2-3 degrees right of the target.

Bringing it back to impact at the same angle is what I always try to do otherwise my intended start line would change. It doesn't make sense to set the face at a different angle than I want it to start on.

Hmm...  Confusion on definitions?  I think you're recommending what I was proposing?  I was just saying that when I first tried things like this I would take my stock setup, then open my stance and open the club face by rolling my wrists, essentially setting up with a stronger grip and a more open club face compared to stock (when trying to hit a cut).  Then if I tried to take my stock swing I'd readjust back to my normal level of strong/weak grip by impact, closing the face from where I wanted it, and hitting a pull.

I was essentially proposing what I think you are, which is that it's the club that should rotate and your grip should stay the same strong/weak wise so you can take your stock swing with only the stance line and rotation of the club itself in your normal hand grip changed and get different results.  You're describing it as setting the club how you want the face pointing and taking your normal grip.  I take my grip before standing over the ball (don't most of us), so I was just describing it by example of how I shift my normal grip taking routine to have the same strength of grip as normal but with the club face a few degrees more open.

[iacas]

Hmm...  Confusion on definitions?  I think you're recommending what I was proposing?

TBH, your post was confusing to read, so he may have been, and I may have been too.

The post snipped in the quote here seems to have it the same as what @mvmac and I said, yes.

[mvmac]

I take my grip before standing over the ball (don't most of us), so I was just describing it by example of how I shift my normal grip taking routine to have the same strength of grip as normal but with the club face a few degrees more open.

Yes then we are talking about the same thing.

[mdl]

TBH, your post was confusing to read.

Ha.  Not the first time.  When writing (or speaking, frankly) I'm quite good at going on too long while further confusing the issue.

[MattM]

Ok so, I have a tree in front of me. I have to aim 10 degrees to the left. I then point the club face five degrees to the left. When I take my swing I wind up pulling it or fatting it. I realize it's hard to tell from this what I'm doing, but is there some usual setup or swing issue that would cause one of those two things? Also, I definitely get what you are saying about the ball going directly where the face is pointing as I used to try to hit a fade or slice around a tree by opening the face as much as possible which would cause it to go right into the tree! I guess I'm confused. The other problem I have when I try to open or close my stance relative to the green is that when I do that I get messed up as to the setup. Like when I open it it always looks like the ball is now back in my stance or visa versa.

[iacas]

The other problem I have when I try to open or close my stance relative to the green is that when I do that I get messed up as to the setup. Like when I open it it always looks like the ball is now back in my stance or visa versa.

It is. Ball position is relative to your stance. Take your stance properly. Don't address it with normal ball position, then open your stance. That WOULD move it back in your stance.

[MattM]

MIND EQUALS MOTHER EFFING BLOWN!!!!!!  You called it!!!!

So I should just make believe that the green is in fact where I line up and line up to the imaginary green then open the clubface!!!!  I got it!!!

[mvmac]

Grips are round. You can take "the same grip" but have the clubface pointing in a different direction when you grip it.

Point the clubface where you want it at setup (whether that's right or left of normal depends on the shot). Then grip it with your normal grip.

I think that's what @mvmac is saying… I don't know exactly what it is you go on to say. :)

@mdl , couple ways to go about it IMO.

Set the face, grip it, then address the ball.

Can also do it like this. I'm setting my face as I address the ball. Aiming the face at a spot two or three feet in front of my ball, on my start line. Then I grip it.

[Crim]

I decided to ask this question here because I believe it probably doesn't need its own thread. Long story short, I can normally hit a fairly consistent baby draw with my irons now...and for the last few months I've been trying to hit a draw with my driver. I...just...can't. I mean I can sometimes, but it's horribly inconsistent. I went back to a fade with my driver the other day and it feels so much more natural. Is this ok? Do people ever hit a draw with their irons and a fade with their driver? I know pros can do both, but what should a beginner do?

[Missouri Swede]

I decided to ask this question here because I believe it probably doesn't need its own thread. Long story short, I can normally hit a fairly consistent baby draw with my irons now...and for the last few months I've been trying to hit a draw with my driver. I...just...can't. I mean I can sometimes, but it's horribly inconsistent. I went back to a fade with my driver the other day and it feels so much more natural. Is this ok? Do people ever hit a draw with their irons and a fade with their driver? I know pros can do both, but what should a beginner do?

There are other places on the forum where this topic has been brought up.  Others might chime in with other suggestions, but start by taking a look at this thread:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/44307/hitting-up-or-down-with-the-driver-in-an-inline-pattern

[Crim]

There are other places on the forum where this topic has been brought up.  Others might chime in with other suggestions, but start by taking a look at this thread:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/44307/hitting-up-or-down-with-the-driver-in-an-inline-pattern

NICE! Thank you, that's some good information. Now I feel like I've wasted a couple months trying to hit driver in a way that felt totally unnatural for me. Oh well, I may come back to trying to draw a driver at some point. But for right now I just wanna fade that thing.

[iacas]

Do people ever hit a draw with their irons and a fade with their driver?

Short answer: Yes. Quite often.

[saevel25]

Do people ever hit a draw with their irons and a fade with their driver?

I tend to fade and draw the driver when I want to shape it in. I will always try to just draw my irons. I find it easier to shape a driver. If I had to put percentages on it.

Irons: 99% draw tendency

Driver: 70-80% draw.

There are few holes I would fade the ball on. Sometimes, if the draw is not obstructed, I'll just hit a big draw over the hazard or trees.

[mdl]

Do people ever hit a draw with their irons and a fade with their driver? I know pros can do both...

I'm pretty sure I've heard that there are pros where that is exactly their stock shape: draw the irons, fade the driver.  Anyone know specific players that do this?

[MattM]

I think Bubba Watson is the most prominent of those pros. He "power fades" his driver and draws even his wedges.....

[Missouri Swede]

I think Bubba Watson is the most prominent of those pros. He "power fades" his driver and draws even his wedges.....

Ya know, that could come in handy...