The key to mastering fade and draw shots is to use the proper mechanics, which will have you hitting more fairways and greens. (Courtesy of worldseriesofgolf.com)

Want to lower your score? Don't try hitting the golf ball straight, master the fade and draw

By Les Miller,
Contributor

The most difficult shot in golf is a straight shot; even a tour pro rarely tries to hit it.

They hit draws and fades instead because it's a lot easier to produce a good result with those shots. The key to mastering these shots is to use the proper mechanics, which will have you hitting more fairways and greens. Practice the tips below, and see your scores come tumbling down.

Tip: Hitting a fade shot:

At the address position, adjust your grip by turning your hands slightly to the left (right-handed golfers). This produces a weaker grip that causes the hands to be less active during the swing.

Next, take a slightly open stance so you can promote an outside-in swing. On your backswing, restrict your shoulder turn (feel as though you are lifting the club to the top of the backswing with your hands high above your head) causing a more upright swing than normal.

This position will result in a steeper plane, which will hold the face slightly open upon impact. From this position, rotate your left hip and shoulder to the left feeling the lower-body leading the hands and arms through the swing. Don't allow the hands to release; let the back of your left hand swing to the follow through position. Finally, finish with the hands high having your right shoulder fully rotated through the swing.

Here are some easy rules-of-thumb to mastering the fade shot:

• Open your stance.
• Rotate your hands to the left on the grip.
• Swing more with your body and shoulders.
• Hold the face open upon impact; no release of the hands.

Tip: Hitting a draw shot:

At address position, adjust your grip by turning your hands slightly to the right. This produces a stronger grip, which causes the hands to be more active during the swing. Hitting a draw comes from a more rounded plane, so you need to start by closing your stance.

Next, make a full shoulder turn on the backswing; make sure you get the left shoulder behind the ball at the top. From this position, swing the club from the inside (focus on hitting the inside of the back of the ball upon impact). The draw is an arms and hands-driven swing highlighted by less body movement and an active rolling of the hands (release) through impact.

The back of the left hand should be turned down, facing the ground, after impact, which promotes closing the clubface through the impact zone.

Here are some easy rules-of-thumb to mastering the draw shot:

• Close your stance.
• Rotate your hands to the right on the grip.
• Swing from the inside using your arms and hands.
• Rotate the club face over through impact; release the hands.

December 7, 2009

Les Miller was a longtime Golf Writers of America member who covered golf instruction for several newspapers and golf publications. His many years of experience as a golf professional, director of product development and tour relations for several major golf companies gave him a unique background and ability to help golfers increase their enjoyment of the game.