What Is the Difference Between a Draw and Fade?

Most people have no idea how popular golf is. However, the numbers show that the United States alone has a market for golf courses and country clubs that generates more than $26 billion every single year! The golf course and country club industry employs more than 300,000 people around the country.

When you realize how popular golf is around the country, it makes sense why so many people want to take golf lessons. St. John FL golf lessons help people develop their talents and take their golf game to the next level.

In particular, many people want to understand the finer points of draws and fades. The better you understand these shots, the better you will understand when to use them on the course.

So what exactly is the difference between these types of shots? Read on to learn all about the most important things to understand about draws and fades in golf!

What Are Draw and Fade Shots?

The first thing to understand about draws and fades is that they are certain types of golf shots. Most people start out in golf by learning to hit the ball straight down the center. That makes sense because this is often the best strategy for a golfer to use.

However, there are certain circumstances in which curving the ball to the left or right is advantageous. That is why advanced players learn more advanced techniques to help them control the trajectory of their shots.

That is what the draw and fade are all about. If we use the example of a right-handed golfer, then a draw is a shot that pushes the trajectory of the ball somewhat to the left as it travels. In contrast, a fade is the opposite, moving the ball toward the right.

All of this is reversed for left-handed golfers. In a more general sense, you can think of a draw as a shot that curves the ball somewhat behind the golfer, while the fade is a shot that spins the ball somewhat forward of the golfer.

This is what people are talking about when they discuss techniques to shape their shots. At higher levels of the game, developing sophisticated strategies to shape shots makes the difference between excellent players and the very best in the world.

Shot Shaping to Hit a Fade

So how can you shape your shot to hit a fade? As we have discussed, a fade will spin the golf ball so that it moves somewhat to the right for right-handed golfers, moving the ball forward of the golfer.

To achieve this shot, you need to apply force to the ball somewhat closer toward your person. Instead of hitting the ball in the dead center, you want to hit a little bit to the left side of the ball. Because the force comes a little bit from the left side of the ball, it will push the ball toward the right.

However, the shot does not actually hit the ball in a straight line somewhat to the right. Instead, it applies a spin to the ball. As the ball spins and travels through the air, this spinning will slowly curve it toward the right.

As incredible as it may seem, this can allow golfers to hit around objects in some cases. It can also allow them to counter the wind.

Golf Advice to Hit a Draw

If you want to hit a draw, then you will apply similar advice except reversed. You want to hit the ball somewhat to the right side of the dead center.

This will help hit the ball straight forward while still applying a spin to it, this time toward the left. That will then curve the path of the ball and move it to the left.

However, most golfers succeed not by specifically aiming at hitting slightly to the right or left of dead center on the golf ball. Instead, they adapt their usual swing.

Starting from your usual swing position, you can aim slightly to the left or right. It often helps to turn your feet slightly to the left or write as well. Then, you can put the ball a little farther forward or closer to you.

To hit a fade, you will want it to be a little bit more forward than usual, helping you to hit it slightly to the left and sending it toward the right. When you are shooting a fade, it can also help to grip the base of your club with the base of your fingers rather than the tips.

If you want to hit a draw, then you will place the ball a little closer to your feet than usual. 

Enjoy the Benefits of Golf Classes

Of course, it is difficult to practice these kinds of moves based on written descriptions. On top of that, it can be difficult for people to tell if they are performing each shot correctly because they cannot observe themselves as they make each swing.

Understanding fades and draws can help you appreciate why so many people think it is valuable to take lessons to help them master these moves. You can also look at ratings and reviews online to help you get a sense of where you can find the right golf lessons for you.

Understand the Draw and Fade With St. John FL Golf Lessons

We hope that learning about draws and fades has been helpful for you. Many people take St. John FL golf lessons to learn about draws, fades, and other aspects of fine-tuning their golf game. Most people who think that golf lessons would not be worth it for them have not tried for themselves to see if they can provide value.

To learn more about how to find the best instruction to improve your golf game, reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!