Have you ever played the game of golf and wondered how to hit a perfectly draw and fade shot? If yes, you are in the right place. Golf is an exciting sport, and the ability to control the trajectory of the ball adds an extra layer of excitement to your game. Enter draw and fade, two shots beyond the traditional straight trajectory. The question is, How to hit a draw and fade?

Do you need clarification on how to hit a draw and fade to enhance your game excellence? If yes, then here you can find the complete information about it. Hitting a draw with its smooth right-to-left curve and a fade with controlled left-to-right movement aren’t just skills. They’re masterpieces. To hit a draw and fade is a strategic dance that’s a combination of technique and purpose.

It’s a symphony in which the golfer is the conductor, carefully orchestrating the ball’s trajectory. From the subtle art of manipulating the clubface to the subtle dance of body positioning, join us as you explore the secret to hitting a draw. It’s a dynamic tale of control, elegance, and the pure joy of bending the laws of the golf ball’s flight.

Let’s dive into the details of how to hit a draw and fade.

How to Hit a Draw?

For right-handed players, a draw is a golf ball that moves slightly from right to left in a controlled manner. For left-handers, a draw is the opposite. If a draw moves too far or too fast from right to left for a right-hand player, it’s called a hook.

A hook is the left-hand player’s equivalent of a slice. If you need to hit the ball straight on your approach shots, aim for a draw or fade because they’re the most controlled ball flights. Let’s talk about the proper setup and how to hit a draw.

Align to The Right 

If you’re a right-handed golfer, it may seem counterintuitive that you should aim out of your clubface if you want the ball to go left (because that’s what right-handers do), but the fact that you’re aiming out of the clubface doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to hit the ball to the left. Aiming out of the right encourages a more inward-looking swing path.

One of the most important things you can do is ensure your shoulders point to the right. That way, you’re closing your body against the clubface. That’s what you’re looking for when you’re trying to draw. Once again, it’s important to do just what is necessary.

Lead Hand Over 

Strengthening your grip is one of the most common and easy ways to generate drawing ball flight. You can more easily close your clubface on impact by strengthening your grip. Rotate your lead hand away from your target so your palm is higher up in the grip. You have achieved a stronger grip when you see your trail hand between two or three knuckles.

Bump Hip

One of the most important steps in hitting a draw is starting your downswing. A lot of slicers need a better golf swing sequence. Hang back on their trail foot and swing over the top. The first step in a good sequence is to bump your hips toward the target. It will encourage a more in-out motion.

Release Trail Arm 

After you change direction, your first instinct should be to move your trail hand over your lead hand as you release through impact. As you release, your wrists should roll over, which tightens your clubface and supports your desired draw ball flight.

Swing 

There’s no such thing as a “good draw”. It’s the feeling you get when you’re in complete control of the club and can do whatever you want with it. All you have to do is ensure you don’t overload any of those steps. And when you do, enjoy the distance!

How to Hit a Fade?

If you’re unfamiliar with the term “fade” or “cut shot,” it’s the shape of a golf ball’s flight from left to right for right-handed players and right to left for left-handed players. It’s like a slice but with more control and less distance to the green. 

For example, a “fade” is a tee shot that a player intentionally moves a few yards away from the green. For the same player, a “cut shot” would be an offline tee shot to the right that they would call a slice. Some golfers see a fade as a natural part of their game. For others, it’s a quick hook or a big slice. Here are things to consider when hitting a controlled fade:

Check Your Grip 

Your grip is the most important factor in every golf shot. According to GolfMonthly.com, no matter what else you do, if you don’t grip well, you won’t hit the shot you’re aiming for. When you hit a fade, aim for a slightly weaker grip. You’ll want to rotate your top hand counterclockwise (to the left for right-handed players) and see two knuckles instead of three when you hit the club at the address. If you’re unable to square the club at impact, you’re too weak in your grip.

Another thing to consider is holding the club more in your top hand’s palm than your fingers. You’ll also want to rotate your bottom hand slightly like your top hand. Remember, if your bottom hand is too far up on the top, you’ll open the club too wide on your slice. Experimenting with your grip is always a good idea. For guide lines on perfect grip you can check our guide what size golf grips do I need?

Mind Your Stance 

When it’s done correctly, there’s nothing better than driving down the left fairway or to the left of the green and controlling the ball to the target. When you hit a straight shot, your feet parallel your target line.

When hitting a fade, you want to aim slightly left of your target to allow a fade to take a slightly left-to-right shot shape. For example, in the photo below, the target tree on the right is the final target. It’s often beneficial to aim the clubface slightly toward your target.

Open The Club Face 

While some players, such as Jack Nicklaus, have said they “just opened up the clubface a little bit” to hit fades, it’s important to remember that this isn’t always the case. You can also “fade” the ball using your swing path, although some players prefer to open up the clubface rather than change their approach.

When you decide to open up your clubface, simply rotate the clubface’s toe slightly away from your target line at the address. Even a degree of open face will allow you to create a slight curve in the ball’s flight. Remember that the more open your clubface is, the more your ball starts to start to your target line and curve to the right (right-handers only). 

Swing Left 

You can swing slightly over the target line if you don’t want to open your clubface. The swing path is one of the most important factors in hitting a golf shot. It is true for fade golf shots as well. You want to hit your ball slightly outside your clubface when you hit a golf fade. For a right-handed golfer, your club head moves left (as it hits the ball).

Again, this is important because if your club head comes in too far and slices across your ball, that’s where you create a slice. You’ll only need to hit your ball about a degree or two outside your face when trying to create a golf fade. You can also think about how your hands are positioned at the top and the finish. Your hands should be above your trail shoulder at the top, low, and left at the finish.

While finding the proper stance, clubface, and swing path is important, this experimentation makes the game fun. Many new players over-open their stance, swing steeply and out to in, and hit large slices. You know how frustrating it is if you’ve ever hit a slice. It is also one of the most difficult shots to work on in your game.

Practice Fade Shots with Swing Align 

If you’re having trouble creating a consistent swing pattern or just looking for a tool to give you immediate feedback, the swing alignment trainer may be just what you need. With Swing Align, you’ll learn how to align yourself correctly, get in the right position for controlled swing motion, and feel your entire body rotate. No matter what shot shape or fade you aim for, you want the swing to be controlled by your body and not by your hands and arms.

Practice aligning yourself just slightly left of the target. With the swing alignment bundle and Swing Junction, you’ll learn where to align your feet and what they look like when they’re too open, which often results in a slice. Then, keep your arms and legs connected and rotate through the swing.

Don’t flip your hands or sway. It will help you groove a consistent swing that results in a controlled shot over and over. With the right shot alignment, clubface position, and path, you’ll also be able to hit a very controlled fade.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, hitting a draw and a fade improves a golfer’s technical skills and adds an extra layer of strategic sophistication to their game. The question arises: how to hit a draw and fade? With its soft right-to-left trajectory, the draw is a great tool for driving tough courses, maximizing distance, and maneuvering around challenges.

With its soft left-to-right movement, the fade is great for hitting precise shots, threading balls through tight fairways, and avoiding hazards with controlled precision. To achieve these shot shapes, golfers start with a harmonious combination of factors, including grip and stance, swing path, timing of release, and more.

Golfers work on perfecting their skills through consistent practice and a deep comprehension of their swing dynamics. By mastering the draw and fade, golfers improve their shot-making skills and gain a deeper understanding of course management and decision-making.

Draw and fade aren’t just techniques; they’re a golfer’s art, drawn on the golf course’s surface. With hard work, patience, and constant improvement, you can use the draw and fade like a versatile brush, adding strokes of genius to your game and taking your game to the next level.

For more inspiration, check our guides: How long golf grips take to dry? and Golf Posture.

Frequently Asked Questions