Adding Fades and Draws to Your Golf Game Will Shave Strokes Off Your Round

Adding shots that curve left to right, or fades, and shots that curve right to left, or draws, to your golf game will most certainly shave strokes from your round. More particularly, if you play a fade or draw into a green, you will lessen your margin for error and become more accurate. For example, if you hit a perfect fade, you will end up near the flag; however, if you mistakenly do not hit enough fade or even happen to hit the ball straight, you will wind up on the left side of the green. Or, if you accidentally fade the ball too much, you will most likely end up on the right side of the green or just off the edge of the green. On the contrary, if you continually play straight shots at the flag, there is a greater probability that you will either draw, fade or even hook or slice the ball, which will usually result in being farther away from your target. Therefore, playing a fade or a draw into the green can give you better accuracy and will make you a better golfer.

In addition, playing a draw off the tee will provide you with greater distance as a draw shot includes topspin and has a tendency to roll. Thus, if you regularly play draw shots off the tee, you should be hitting shorter irons into greens, which will mean improved accuracy. Moreover, having the skill to both fade and draw the ball will allow you to work your way around dogleg holes, or to get out of trouble if you miss the fairway from the tee.

In order to successfully play a fade shot, you must aim and swing toward to the left side of your intended target. For simplicity, pretend that it is your second shot on a par four and the flag is in the middle of the green. To play the fade shot, align your feet and your stance so that you are aiming for the very left side of the green. Once you are set, grip the club as you normally would for that stance. The only difference from your other shots is that you will keep the club face open so that it is aiming directly at the flag. Once you are in this position, take your normal swing just like you are swinging for the left side of the green. If conducted properly, the ball will start out at the left side of the green and then will fade back toward the flag.

Playing a proper draw shot incorporates the same mechanics as the fade, but it is reversed. To play a draw, simply aim to the right side of your intended target with your feet and stance. Then, take your normal grip, but keep the club face closed so that face is aiming at your intended target. Once you are in position, take your normal swing aligned with your stance. If properly done, the ball with start out on the right side, but will curve back to the left at the target.

When initially playing fades and draws, you may have the tendency to aim too far right or left when setting up the shot, which can create slices and hooks that are undesirable. In order to properly play these shots, you do not have to aim very far left or right from the target line. With just a few hours of practice, you will be amazed how quickly you can add these shots to your game, and how many strokes they will save you.