Fade or Draw

[Pyrzqxgl]

Well, this is a huge debate at my home course. I've decided to bring it to the forums so you can all vote. What is better fade or draw? Many people would say draw because it gets more distance. True. But do you want to put topspin on a concrete green? Some say that fade has more control...

Myself, I prefer to hit a fade, though I usually hit it quite straight.

 

[TonyN]

where is the button thatveays none they are all as useful as each other. Slot of holders, my selfvincluded have little choice in the matter. I used to hit a fade most shots, now I am started to hit draws more often. Some times you need to be straight. I don't think any shot is better than the other and can all be used well by good players. I would suggest just playing to your normal shot shape and taking no preference.

IMO draw just looks better.

 

[johng]

Fade, purely because thats all i can hit - apart from a super fade (slice ).

would like to be able to hit a draw when required but that remains a distant dream at the moment.

Very, very distant!

 

[greensman]

I would say both. Learning both has been a major advantage to me. Being able to shape a ball in to the wind or around corners, trees etc have given me more options.

I would suggest we learn what doesn’t come naturally, for example if you naturally fade, practice the draw and vice versa.

or just grip it and rip it

 

[Imurg]

Definately being able to do both depending on the need.
What's the point of being able to only hit a draw on a left to right dog-leg? And vice-versa.

if you can hit both you have a tremendous advantage.

 

[viscount17]

used to be all I could hit was a draw, except when it was an all out slice. then the draw disappeared to be replaced by a fade, which always seemed a tidier shot. now that's gone and the draw is re-appearing - I'd rather be straight as at least I'd have some idea where it would end up.

 

[Herbie]

This is yet another silly question on an old subject.
Hit what you feel you can hit well and that is the best for you!
If you are capable of hitting all those shots then use the right one for the right shot.(people who can do them all wouldnt need telling)

The Idea that a draw goes further is misleading as I can often hit longer with a fade than some who hit a draw, it depends whos hitting it. It doesnt always mean that someone who hits a fade then works hard to hit a draw will hit it any further though the likelyhood is so.Hit what you are best at whenever you can as thats the best whot for you.

 

[shanker]

The Idea that a draw goes further is misleading .

Sorry Herb, but I disagree. It's a fact that a drawn ball will go further than a faded ball because it has less backspin. Golf shots don't have topspin, just more or less backspin. If you don't believe this, watch someone like Woosnam hitting a drawn long-iron into the green. It bites- not as much as a fade- but it bites.
In answer to the OP, I'd say if you're very good and hit it long then a fade is best. For the rest of us a draw is preferable, if you can. (I can )

 

[TonyN]

This is yet another silly question on an old subject.

Why bother wasting your time if this is how you feel about the thread. press ya back button instead.

Old it may be but with the amount of new users joining reguarly, the same subjects are bound to pop up from time to time. Just means we get new points of view on them thats all, it aint a bad thing.

What is an old subject though is someone moaning about old subjects!

 

[Cernunnos]

This is yet another silly question on an old subject.
Hit what you feel you can hit well and that is the best for you!
If you are capable of hitting all those shots then use the right one for the right shot.(people who can do them all wouldnt need telling)

The Idea that a draw goes further is misleading as I can often hit longer with a fade than some who hit a draw, it depends whos hitting it. It doesnt always mean that someone who hits a fade then works hard to hit a draw will hit it any further though the likelyhood is so.Hit what you are best at whenever you can as thats the best whot for you.

I'll echo what Herb has to say above...!

Hit what you are comfortable with & gives greatest consitency I think many of us & this includes teaching Pro's get too wrapped up in getting people to promote a draw, when in so doing it can bread inconsistency. Yes its good to have all shots in your bag, but if a fade is what you naturally play, yes, its often a result of what many consider a swing fault in an over the top swing & or cutswing.

Personnally for me, there is nothing nicer to see than a well controlled gentle fade into a green or fairway & generally there is little difference in yardage for me.

By trying to promote a draw shot all sorts of different problems can rear their ugly heads, a push I can live with but the weak hook I hate when things get out of kilter when concentrate on getting that draw. & I started missing greens altogether either left or right rather than missing the pin left or right actually on the green with a fade. So what if that bounceon the fairway bounces right into light rough.

The only problem Faders of the ball need to be aware of is when a swing gets a little too quick there can be a risk of fade becoming slice. But then if we concentrate upon angles at address & posture then relax & strike, living with whatever is natural whether conciously or subconciously in our swing for the shot & the hole.

 

[Herbie]

The Idea that a draw goes further is misleading .

Sorry Herb, but I disagree. It's a fact that a drawn ball will go further than a faded ball because it has less backspin. Golf shots don't have topspin, just more or less backspin. If you don't believe this, watch someone like Woosnam hitting a drawn long-iron into the green. It bites- not as much as a fade- but it bites.
In answer to the OP, I'd say if you're very good and hit it long then a fade is best. For the rest of us a draw is preferable, if you can. (I can )

You misunderstand my post. Of course if you use a mechanical club with exact swing speed the DRAW will go much further! But what do most golfers have to compare with?

My nephew hits a draw, he has a beautiful swing and can make 280 as regular as clockwork, I make this and more with a fade

 

[shanker]

The Idea that a draw goes further is misleading .

Sorry Herb, but I disagree. It's a fact that a drawn ball will go further than a faded ball because it has less backspin. Golf shots don't have topspin, just more or less backspin. If you don't believe this, watch someone like Woosnam hitting a drawn long-iron into the green. It bites- not as much as a fade- but it bites.
In answer to the OP, I'd say if you're very good and hit it long then a fade is best. For the rest of us a draw is preferable, if you can. (I can )

You misunderstand my post. Of course if you use a mechanical club with exact swing speed the DRAW will go much further! But what do most golfers have to compare with?

My nephew hits a draw, he has a beautiful swing and can make 280 as regular as clockwork, I make this and more with a fade

No, Herb. I don't think that I misunderstood your post. I'll accept that you outdrive your nephew (who draws the ball) with your fade. But, so what? I draw the ball but young lads who fade knock it miles past me. Any particular golfer will get more length from a draw than from a fade. I was lucky enough to once see Nick Faldo demonstrate this and he demonstrated it well!

 

[flandango]

DRAW

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The ability to shape shots is certainly a pre-requisite of being a top golfer although as we know there are some pros on tour who do struggle to move the ball one way or the other.

Most courses have holes that dog leg in either direction and so the ability to move a ball both ways will give a player more options. Clearly a ball that draws does possess sufficient spin to stop even on firm greens or pros wouldn't have that as a stcok shot (in most cases). However for the mere mortals kike me, the game is made much easier to use your natural shape to drive and hit greens. That means if you slice or fade the ball, aim left of the pin and let it come back. If you are lucky enough to be able to produce a draw at will or can control a draw shot (and not hit wild duck hooks) aim at the right hand side of the fariway or green and let the ball move.

Me I'm happy to aim for the middle of each fairway and if I am lucky enough be able to find it from the tee I attempt to get it somewhere on the dancefloor. If I miss I'll sum up my options and move on from there. I guess my stock shot then is STRAIGHT

 

[viscount17]

but what do you do if your normal shot is a draw so you aim up the right hand side and then promptly fade it?

(remember the 2nd at Crowboro', Leftie?)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Viscount

Simple, play a provisional and go and start searching in the long stuff

 

[Parmo]

Depends on where and whats in front on the landing area I want to be, if a draw is needed I slightly close the club, if a fade I open the face and if straight I pray to god I don't get one or the other