How to Hit a Fade Shot in Golf
A fade shot starts left and then curves to the right. Use it when a direct shot at your target is blocked.
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Things You'll Need
- Golf Lessons
- Golf Bags
- Golf Balls
- Golf Club Cleaners
- Golf Clubs
- Golf Gloves
- Golf Hats
- Golf Practice Equipment
- Golf Shoes
- Golf Tees
Instructions
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Note that these steps are intended for right-handers. Reverse the directions if you're left-handed.
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Set up your golf shot with your usual alignment and grip.
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Adjust your feet to aim to the left of your target. The angle of your feet depends on your individual swing and desired results, and can range from 5 to 45 degrees. Try 10 to 15 degrees to the left to start.
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Aim the club face directly at your target and use your normal grip.
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Swing normally.
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Resist the temptation to turn too soon and watch the ball's flight.
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Tips & Warnings
Test the fade shot with all of your clubs and make a mental note of the different results.
Consider external factors, such as wind direction and strength, slope, how the ball sits on the ground, obstacles, hazards and margin for error, when choosing your club and execution.
Try not to change your normal swing. Make the changes to grip and alignment and trust your normal swing to do the work for you.
Take a lesson if you need to improve your swing. An occasional $30 lesson can dramatically improve your swing and your enjoyment of the game.
Do not try severe fades right away. Start with mild fades and gradually work your way into more dramatic ones.
Comments
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Aug 08, 2006
I personally never try to hit a straight shot on a golf course. I either fade or draw the ball depending on what I want to accomplish. Every pro golfer knows that the odds of success in any shot lies in the odds. Basically every shot should turn toward your target. Whenever you try to hit a straight it is guaranteed that any swing less than perfection will make the ball curve away from your intended target. I align the club face with the target and then align my shoulders on the line that I wish the ball to fly initially. Only after these two steps are complete do I take my grip and make my normal swing. In short, aim the club at the final target and aim your body in the direction you want the ball to start its flight. Lastly, take your normal grip and swing normally. An added bonus for becoming comfortable with shaping your shots is that you will then have two different yardages for every club in your bag. It's like getting to carry 28 clubs on the course! Good luck! -
Nov 22, 2005
I'm not sure one would really want to hit a draw shot. If you do, transfer your weight more forward than usual (assuming that your natural shot shape is straight). Also, swinging a little bit from "outside-to-in" might help. To do this, you might want to move your right elbow away from your body instead of tucking it in toward your body. Another idea might be to slow the hip turn on the downswing, but don't shorten the length of it. The main thing is to experiment. I suppose you could try opening the clubface and swinging normally, but that didn't necessarily work for me, as I would sometimes shank the ball.
