Draws and fades are shots featuring controlled movements of the golf ball. A draw curves from the player’s right to his left (for a right-handed golfer) while a fade moves in the opposite direction, from left to right. Some players hit draw shots or fade shots naturally.
What is the difference between draw and fade in golf?
For right-handed golfers, a draw golf shot will travel slightly right-to-left, while a fade will travel slightly left-to-right. Shaping your shot can have benefits both from the tee box and when hitting approach shots. First, let’s take a look at the benefits of shaping your tee shot.
Should I draw or fade my golf ball on the Green?
The reverse logic applies on greens in which the flag is closer to the right edge, in which case a fade shot is the safer play. Remember that the more loft your club head has, the more difficult it will be to apply the side-spin necessary to draw or fade the ball.
What is a draw in golf?
For right-handed golfers, a draw is a shot that shapes from right to left. Conversely, left-handers will move the ball from left to right. It is a controlled shape, but players do run the risk of hooking their ball if it doesn’t come off right.
Should you play a fade or a draw on dogleg holes?
Playing a fade can prompt a slice if the face makes contact with the ball at the wrong angle. Furthermore, on dogleg holes that are draw-friendly, a fade may prevent you from reaching a green in regulation. How Do You Hit A Draw? The deciding factor in the shape of your shot is the angle that your clubface connects with the ball.
What is difference between draw and fade in golf?
A draw, for a right-handed golfer, is a shot that curves from a player's right to their left. A fade moves from left to right.
What makes a golf ball draw or fade?
Jack said to hit a fade—his preferred shot—aim the clubface where you want the ball to come down, and align your body to the left (for right-handers). To hit a draw, do the opposite: Aim the face where you want the ball to finish and align your body to the right.
Do more pros hit a fade or draw?
However, from a practical perspective, most club golfers will hit a draw further than a fade, because when they hit a draw they reduce the loft, leading to lower spin rates. Most of the time, shots with lower spin travel further.”
What's better fade or draw?
Traditionally speaking, a draw tends to be a better shot than a fade. Although there are golfers that will believe otherwise, to hit a draw, you will have had to release the club properly with a square clubface. Fades, on the other hand, can happen when the direction and path are slightly open.
What is the difference between a draw and a fade?
For right-handed golfers, a draw golf shot will travel slightly right-to-left, while a fade will travel slightly left-to-right.
Why does a golf ball fade?
A ball fades due to the spin placed on the ball from the clubface being slightly open relative to the swing path. It’s important to note that while the clubface is open relative to the swing path, it’s NOT open relative to the target line (and may even be slightly closed).
How to get closer to the pin in golf?
A draw can allow you to get closer to the pin by curving your ball around the leftward bend. In most situations, if you fail to hit a draw and instead hit the ball straight, you’ll still be on the fairway, albeit further from the pin. In the same situation, a fade is likely to put your ball in the rough right of the fairway.
How to point left of target?
This means your front foot may be a bit more open (pointed slightly more forward than directly in front of you) and a line from your right toe to your left toe would point left of your target.
Where to aim for a faded shot?
In the previous example, you’d want to aim for the center of the green. If you hit straight, you’ll be safely in the center of the green, but a faded shot will land closer to the hole.
Is it better to draw or fade a golf shot?
Both “draw” and “fade” golf shots put slight sidespin on the ball, causing the shot to finish slightly off-center. While too much sidespin on a shot is usually bad, the slight side-to-side movement of draw and fade shots is often optimal or better than hitting it straight.
Can you hit a golf ball straight?
No golfer can hit the ball perfectly straight every shot. Between drawing and fading, it’s more common for golfers to fade the ball naturally. If your shots either go straight or fade/draw, that’s fine or even a positive! You can play around your “misses” to the right or left. If you sometimes fade the ball, aim your shots where both ...
What is a draw in golf?
A draw, for a right-handed golfer, is a shot that curves from the right to the left. By contrast, a fade will tend to move from the left to the right. Theoretically, if the launch angle, ball speed, and spin rate are the same, a fade would carry the same distance as a draw. In practice, it is found that a draw will usually outdistance a fade, ...
What are the pros and cons of a draw and fade?
There are pros and cons to both a fade and a draw. The draw normally will have a lower trajectory and have a pronounced topspin. This will tend to give you more distance and greater rollout.
How far to open clubface for fade?
The first thing to understand is that a fade requires an open clubface at impact. You are wanting to shape the ball, right to left, about 3 to 10 yards. The more you open the clubface the more left to right it will go. Opening the clubface too far could be one, but not all, of the reasons for the slice.
How to draw a golf club?
Grip the club normally, but strengthen the grip on your left hand. A stronger grip with more pressure on the left hand will prevent your wrists from rolling over, which will result in a draw. Next, rotate your right hand towards the left. Don’t overdo it, but try to see the knuckles of the right hand.
How does a fade work?
A fade produces a higher trajectory, and with backspin will land more gently and settle quickly with less rollout. The error when you miss your line should be less damaging. The fade will also travel around 5 to 10 yards shorter than a draw, which may or may not be a disadvantage.
What is Jack Nicklaus' advice for a draw?
His advice to play the draw is to start from the ground up with the feet and legs leading. This sets up a swing path into the ball with a closing clubface on impact.
Which golfer was famous for his low fade off the tee?
Many have the idea that some courses are better played predominantly with a draw or a fade. Lee Trevino was famous for his uniquely low fade off the tee, and claim that fades win tournaments.
Draw vs. Fade in Golf
A draw and a fade are opposites of one another. Understanding the differences between these two golf shots and how to hit them will undoubtedly help you become a better player. The great thing about both the draw and the fade is that golfers of any handicap level can learn to hit them as long as you put the time in.
Which is Better: Draw or Fade?
It is hard to say that a draw or a fade is a better golf shot. There are times when you will need to know how to hit both. However, there is something to be said for choosing a shot that feels more natural to you.
How To Hit A Draw
There are several ways in which you can learn to hit a draw. However, the easiest is to make a few adjustments to your setup and stance. When you do this, you will be able to reposition yourself to have a much higher chance of pulling off the draw shot.
How To Hit A Fade
The ball flight that you are looking for with a fade shot is much different than the draw. With a fade, the ball will start to the left of the target and fall back to the right. The first place to start your fade golf shot is in the setup.
FAQs on Draw vs. Fade
Now that you have a much better understanding of what a golf fade is and what a golf draw is, it’s time to look at some of the most frequently asked questions about these two shots. Some players will completely ignore the concept of fade and draw and just worry about hitting the ball straight.
Conclusion
We hope that you now can understand the difference between a draw vs. a fade. It is beneficial to learn how to hit both a draw and a fade to use them to score lower. Playing a golf course by hitting all of your shots straight can be a bit restrictive.
What are situations to play fade shots
There are a few situations when playing a fade shot may be the best option. For right-handed golfers, these include:
7 Tips to play fade shots
Make sure you are set up correctly to hit a fade shot. Your body should be turned slightly to the left, and your feet should be lined up parallel to the target line.
Final words
The best way to achieve a consistent fade is to use an even weight distribution, swing in a smooth and controlled manner, and keep your head still. Follow through with your swing after making contact with the ball to ensure that the fade is executed correctly.
What is a draw and fade?
Draws and fades are shots featuring controlled movements of the golf ball. A draw curves from the player’s right to his left (for a right-handed golfer) while a fade moves in the opposite direction, from left to right. Some players hit draw shots or fade shots naturally.
Why do you fade the ball off the tee?
Bosdosh recommends fading the ball off the tee if your natural drive curves too far to the left, or on fairways that bend to the right and contain hazards on the left . He says the fade is easier to pull off than "a dead-straight drive or one that draws.”.
How does Lorena Ochoa hit a fade?
LPGA standout Lorena Ochoa hits a fade by first pointing her body to the left of the target. She aims the club face at the spot where she wants the ball to land, then proceeds with her normal swing. From the tee, PGA pro Steve Bosdosh says, place the ball on the right side of the tee box, then aim at a spot on the left half of the fairway.
How to get height on a draw off the tee?
To gain sufficient height on a draw off the tee, golf teacher Mike Lopuszynski says to line the ball up with your left armpit, then close your stance “about an inch,” which should create the ball’s right-to-left path.
Where should you aim for a draw on a golf shot?
Approach Shots. Golf writer Steve Newell recommends hitting a draw on an approach shot when the flag is on the left part of the green. This allows you to aim for the middle of the green, which is where the ball should land if you fail to curve it properly.
Does a faded tee shot stay in the fairway?
Golf instructor Mitchell Spearman adds that a faded tee shot “still carries far but has less roll, so it is more likely to stay in the fairway.”.
Draw Vs Fade
When someone draws a golf ball it moves from right to left and finishes on target. When someone fades or cuts the ball, it moves from left to right and also finishes on target.
Practical benefits of shaping your shots
Looking at a mid-iron shot, the draw shot missing left tends to go farther because the face is closed and less lofted. Considering that, the other way, fade has the opposite where the face tends to be more open and more lofted if the ball misses to the right and can reduce the distance the ball travels through that.
How to Hit a Fade?
The mechanics of a ball flight, as I understand it, is that the flight starts mostly where the face is aiming at impact. The ball will curve if the swing path is different to that aim.
Low Bullet fade vs high power fade
The low bullet fade launches lower and spins more, tends to be done with a long iron like Tiger’s 2 iron stingers that served him well for many years hitting down on the ball and sending that thing up the fairway.
How to Hit a Draw?
Looking back at the mechanics of a fade, the draw needs the opposite factors. The face starts to the right of the target at address and the swing needs to move in-to-out to get the flight to curve back to the left.
Ball Position Tips For Fade and Draw
Let’s talk about how the ball position can help when looking at Fade Vs Draw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answer is, due to the launch angle and spin rates. Although there are nuances to it, just like anything else in Golf!
what is draw in golf?
Draw shots in golf are when the ball starts to the left of your target and curves back to the right. They are called a draw because they tend to begin with a hook, just like how you would draw a picture or letter. Right-handed players on holes that slightly curve right can use draw shots–left-to-right is probably a more accurate description.
what is fade shot in golf?
The Fade shot in golf is when the ball starts to the right of your target and curves back to the left. They are called fade because they would seem like someone was pulling the golf ball with their hand–the opposite way that you would improve your handwriting or art if you were drawing something.
what is a push shot in golf?
A push or pure drive, as it is sometimes called, occurs when the ball starts too far to the right for a draw and not far enough to the right for a fade. Pushing your shots will send them straight down the fairway without curving at all–this is useful on holes where you do not want much height but good accuracy instead.
what is a push draw in golf?
A push-draw shot is essentially the opposite of a push shot. It occurs when you need to send your ball far to the left but with good height and accuracy–for example if you are hitting over trees or out of an awkward lie (such as one where your feet are blocked by a bunker).
what is a pull shot in golf?
A pull-shot occurs when the ball starts too far to the left of your target for a push and not far enough to the left for a draw.
Conclusion
So, to sum up: a pull-shot occurs when you aim your shot far left of your target but with good distance and accuracy; a pull-fade is the opposite of this, where you aim your shot far right of your target but with good height and accuracy.
What Does the Term Draw Mean in Golf?
A draw shot in golf is where the ball starts off the right of the player’s target and turns back slightly left to be directly in line with the original target. This is the description for a right-handed golfer, a left-handed golfer starts to the left of the target and turns back right to be in line.
What Causes a Draw in Golf?
A draw is caused by a square clubface at impact with an inside swing path. This sounds easy enough but either one of those two things can take years for some golfers to master.
How Do You Hit a Draw in Golf?
You hit a draw by squaring the clubface at impact and using an inside swing path. A draw begins with a proper setup like almost every other golf shot. The goal is to aim your body well right of the target.
Is a Draw Shot Good in Golf?
A draw is good in golf when you want to gain the proper position on the fairway or land the ball at a desired spot on the green. It is one of the most valuable tools in any golf bag.
What is the Difference Between a Hook and a Draw in Golf?
The difference between a hook and a draw is that a draw is a controlled shot and a hook is generally unintended.
Is it Better to Hit a Draw or Fade?
It is best to have the ability to hit both draws and fades. Both shots have varied applications and can benefit players at different times. Draws and fades are controlled shots that promote accuracy and high forward ball spin rate.
Can I Hit a Draw Shot?
Professional players make shaping shots like draws look easy on television. They have mastered one of the most sought-after golf shots in the sport.
