fade over a draw

[davemc1]

First off I'd like to say my natural shot is a slice. There I've said it, feel much better all ready.....
However, when playing well I can hit a nice fade, even on occasions straight-ish. Yet the teachings pro's I've been to insist on getting me to try to play a draw. You can't believe the swing thoughts I have to go through to get everything in place in order to do so.
So what's wrong with a fade? Seems like it's not hurting Martin Kaymer.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I'm a fade all the way with my irons :thup:

 

[LanDog]

I've always been told that a fade is easier to control than a draw but a draw will give you more distance traditionally

 

[SVB]

Is the emphasis on a draw to try to mitigate a severe out to in path that will always be prone to a slice and to leave you with a nice controlled fade, or straight shot?

I ask this as this is the situation I am in, we are working on hitting a gentle draw, not to become my stock shot but the path into the ball and rest of the swing will improve on the journey hence the fade will be more predictable and also, lose the weakness of ball flight that can exist in a slice that has been wrestled into a tolerable fade.

Either way, sounds like there is a gap in the comms between you and the pro that needs fixing so you can both ensure you are working to a commonly held outcome!

Best of luck,

Simon

 

[Khamelion]

I had a huge slice, and if I lose concentration I can still hit a massive slice, but I've learned to control the slice and make it more of a fade, yes it doesn't goes as far as a draw would, but at least now I can get the ball on the short stuff more often than I use to.

I'd love to be able to play a draw on demand and I may be able to with a lot more practice, but for the time being a fade will do just nice.

 

[davemc1]

Is the emphasis on a draw to try to mitigate a severe out to in path that will always be prone to a slice and to leave you with a nice controlled fade, or straight shot?

I ask this as this is the situation I am in, we are working on hitting a gentle draw, not to become my stock shot but the path into the ball and rest of the swing will improve on the journey hence the fade will be more predictable and also, lose the weakness of ball flight that can exist in a slice that has been wrestled into a tolerable fade.

Either way, sounds like there is a gap in the comms between you and the pro that needs fixing so you can both ensure you are working to a commonly held outcome!

Best of luck,

Simon

My first coach was all about the swing path, Im definitely an over the top swinger. But he was trying to turn me into a pro, I was getting a little lost in his teachings.
Second (and current) coach hasn't mentioned it once. He's more about swing tempo and moving my arms through the ball. I'm guessing if I master this then that's a way to cure the swing path.

 

[Simbo]

First off I'd like to say my natural shot is a slice. There I've said it, feel much better all ready.....
However, when playing well I can hit a nice fade, even on occasions straight-ish. Yet the teachings pro's I've been to insist on getting me to try to play a draw. You can't believe the swing thoughts I have to go through to get everything in place in order to do so.
So what's wrong with a fade? Seems like it's not hurting Martin Kaymer.

Martin kaymer has spent the last 2 years trying to learn to draw it! Because he can't play Augusta with a fade as his stock shot, granted he his a quality player.
My stock shot was a fade, probably still is, and iv spent ages trying to learn to draw it, now I can do it I see the difference in the swing in general, there's much more fundamentals right when you hit a proper slight draw.
In saying that at amateur level I really can't see what all the fuss is about between playing a draw or a fade, aslong as you can get it to repeat

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Draw v fade. Good player v higher handicapper.

The draw has traditionally been seen as a 'better players' shot and that is possibly the reason why more people strive to hit it but as stated, a fade can be a bit more controllable. I play at a links where the prevailing wind is left to right across more holes so a draw to hold it into the wind is the better shot. Hit a fade in a strong cross wind and you could end up in the next county

I don't really think it matters too much though for most players, the important thing is for them to know which way they shape the ball and then manage their shots accordingly.

 

[Birchy]

I draw/hook my woods but fade my irons.

When I first tried learning a draw it came quite easy with the woods but no matter what I do I just cant seem to draw my shovel irons. It does come in handy though when I can aim left side of the green and be confident I wont miss left etc.

 

[Khamelion]

Ultimately at the end of the day, for us high handicappers, it doesn't matter whether you fade or draw, just so log as its controllable, repeatable and the ball hits the short stuff.

 

[dewsweeper]

A quote I think was attributed to Lee Trevino " you can talk to a fade!".
He was the the great exponent of fading the ball almost all the time,though as many a golfer of his era,could shape the ball to order.
Worth a look on youtube ,for you younger forummers.
Dewsweeper

 

[patricks148]

I hate fading the the ball, unless i set out to, like in a couple of holes at Moray Old off the tee. My home course all the trouble is on the right more or less, sp a draw works well at Nairn.

Having said that im changing to a less inside take away which has given me a fade

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Nothing wrong with a fade. Jack Nicklaus made a reasonable career out of it.

Playing a fade is certainly out of vogue amongst pro's these days with emphasis on the power game. Kaymer (now he's gone back to it) is a notable exception. A fade is more controllable and more predictable but you will lose a little distance - a good 'power fade' is not a lot different however. Not nearly as macho either. Doesn't bother me much and I fade 80% of shots.

 

[guest100718]

a fade and a draw will go the same distance. The big left to right efforts you see every Sunday are not fades..........

 

[mcbroon]

I'm the opposite. My natural shape is a draw and I find it difficult to hit a fade to order.

I'd like to be able to hit a fade when needed but for the most part, it's good to have a fair idea of what's going to happen to the ball once it leaves the club. If you can hit a repeatable fade, then I don't see anything wrong with that.

 

[One Planer]

Fade all the way for me.

I generally a straight ball, but do hit a soft fade on occasion.

I very rarely draw the ball and when I do, it tends to be when I don't want to

 

[DanFST]

I draw the ball naturally, Looks great, gets compliments. But when it goes wrong it's a massive snap hook.

I'd take fade back in an instant now, it was predictable and repeatable.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm the opposite. My natural shape is a draw and I find it difficult to hit a fade to order.

You and me both. I can hit a Bubba style draw or hook right to left but ask me to go the other way and its a lottery. I would love to hit a fade on demand and have that as a stock shot

 

[mcbroon]

I draw the ball naturally, Looks great, gets compliments. But when it goes wrong it's a massive snap hook.

I'd take fade back in an instant now, it was predictable and repeatable.

You and me both. I can hit a Bubba style draw or hook right to left but ask me to go the other way and its a lottery. I would love to hit a fade on demand and have that as a stock shot

Yeah, it's a lovely looking shot but when it goes wrong, it really goes wrong :swing:

 

[Crazyface]

a fade and a draw will go the same distance. The big left to right efforts you see every Sunday are not fades..........

What rot ! A fade will, in decent weather and dry under foot, will out distance a fade by 20 metres EVERYTIME. My mate, plays off 8 and is 60 (I'm 48) and 5ft 6 out drives me with ease in the summer. I'm about 230+ off the tee.But not in the winter. Until you've had a diddy man 20 metres up the fairway doing his Mr Muscles impression at you after you've just creamed one down the middle you'll never know the difference. I hate the summer.