Draw vs. Fade in Golf - Which is Better?
Want to learn how to hit a fade or a draw and find out which is best for you?
Just about every golfer since the beginning of the game has started out playing a slice, especially witht the driver.
Because getting rid of a slice is so difficult for most golfers because they're taught incorrectly how to fix it, they struggle with the dreaded fade or slice forever.
Of course, with RotarySwing, fixing your slice is something we have helped hundreds of thousands of golfers with and can do it faster than anyone.
So, once you have that slice tamed, is it better to hit a controlled fade or a draw?
And what do most pros hit, a fade or a draw? The answer may surprise you!
Do pros hit a fade or draw most often?
You may be surprised to hear that most tour pros actually hit a fade for one simple reason, it's much easier to control.
That doesn't mean a draw is difficult to control but a fade is easier for one key reason - the release of the golf club.
In a fade, you are simply releasing the golf club less or more slowly in many cases vs. a draw. Of course, you are still releasing the golf club or you would lose too much distance.
But with a fade the club face can be held open just a smidge which is easier to time consistently vs. a draw which is more "free wheeling" in terms of the golf club release.
So, in the fade you are doing less, vs. a draw where you are doing slightly more - that's the simplest way of thinking about it in general terms.
What about the ball flight with a fade vs. a draw?
Another key aspect of the fade is the spin axis of the ball. The ball only spins in one direction and it does so along what is called the "spin axis".
In general, the spin axis for a fade will be tilted slightly more to the vertical in such a way to create a "softer" ball flight, and thus a softer landing, vs. a draw where the axis can easily be tilted too "negative" and lead to a quick hook which is a shot that won't play at all.
So, that's the main reason pros prefer a fade, as Lee Trevino used to say "I can talk to a fade, but a hook just won't listen!"
So, which should you play - a draw or a fade?
It's important to learn BOTH because no one shot is perfect for every situation and you will learn club face control by learning both shots and that will make you a far more versatile player.
Which is better for distance, a draw or a fade?
There's no question that a draw will tend to create more overall distance, especially off the tee where roll is a major factor as the fade will tend to run out less on the ground.
So, if you are looking for more distance, a draw will more easily produce it, especially off the tee.
If you play in windy conditions regularly, a draw will tend to penetrate more through the wind vs. a fade as well and can tend to create a slightly lower ball flight due to a lower overall spin rate as the club will tend to have less dynamic loft at impact.
What do you play, draw vs. fade?
I turned pro as a definitive fader of the golf ball and only hit a draw when I had to as I also found it more difficult to control vs. a fade and it wasn't a natural shot for me due to my swing path.
However, back in about 2013 I made a change to a draw and play that as my predominant shot now.
Why?
The main reason was that I joined a golf club that was designed by my friend Jim Engh and he hits every single ball way from the inside and hits nothing but draws on every shot!
As a course designer, this is the only shot that fits his eye and so the course that we lived at together was very punishing if you missed with a big fade, but wouldn't kill your score if you missed to the left with a big draw.
Because that was where I played most of my golf and I wanted to win (and did!) our club tournaments, I needed to make the switch.
So, I spent one entire summer reshaping my swing to hit every single ball right to left as a draw.
This was a big challenge because your alignment and your sight lines have to adapt off every hole. You find yourself aiming at trouble that before you didn't even know existed.
It took persistence, but by the end of the summer paid off with a big win in our Member-Pro tournament with me shooting a 64 on my own ball.
Looking back, I'm very happy I decided to persevere through the change as I find the draw to be a very powerful shot that I can play in all conditions on any course now as the draw is subtle (about 3-4 yards) but very reliable.
Draw vs. Fade Golf Instruction Videos
Differences Fade vs. Draw
Learn the differences in the swing mechanics and positions in a fade vs. a draw in golf.
Video Practice Points
- The club face remains slightly open after impact with a fade vs. a draw
- A fade will feel a slight hold off of the release
- A draw you will feel a more "free" release of the golf club
Day 6: High and Low Fade
Learn how to control the trajectory of a fade to hit it higher or lower.
Video Practice Points
- Adjust the ball position slightly to change trajectory
- You will bow your wrist slightly more to lower ball flight
- For a higher trajectory, the wrist will more fully release
Day 7: High vs Low Draw
The high and low draw vs high and low fade is a more advanced exercise, but once you nail down this shot you can start attacking the course like never before!
Video Practice Points
- As you advance, you will focus more on feel than mechanics
- The key is all in the release
- You will modify ball position slightly to alter trajectory
How to Fade the Golf Ball
Learn the simple keys to hitting a powerful yet controlled fade with the driver and irons.
Video Practice Points
- With RotarySwing, a fade is VERY simple!
- Your lead hand is in control
- Change your release timing for more or less fade on the ball
For more golf swing tips for beginners and beyond visit the RotarySwing Youtube channel.
How'd you like to become the BEST ball striker at your club?
Most golfers slice because they're swinging over the top.
This steep swing plane makes it very difficult to square the face, and even if you did, you wouldn't like that shot either as that would lead to a big pull to the left.
So, to fix your slice, you must first fix your swing plane and path.
And with the AXIOM, that's a piece of cake!
What's so cool and unique about the AXIOM is that it literally fixes ANY issue you have in your swing, not just swinging over the top, but casting, fat shots, inconsistency and more!
This is what the pros do...
And best of all, you don't have to just take my word for it, you'll be able to see this very same motion in the guys and gals you see on TV each week once you no what to look for!
So, how do you fix your over the top move?
Simple. You just need to feel one little thing different than what you're doing right now, and you'll instantly shallow out the club in the downswing.
The club will "drop into the slot" and release from the inside, which will create a very gentle baby draw that will give you more distance and boost your confidence when there is trouble right.
What's even more cool, the AXIOM will help you feel your natural rhythm and tempo for greater consistency.
Oh, and did I mention that it clears your mind of ALL swing thoughts?
How much better could you play if didn't have 5,000 swing tips rattling around in your head?
The AXIOM gives you ONE FEELING to focus on that will instantly get your swing on plane and your arms and body in perfect sync.
And it doesn't take weeks or months to learn... You can learn the AXIOM - the secret move of the pros - in just 10 minutes!
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You can permanently cure your over the top slice in the next 10 minutes...
That's right, I want to share this amazing discovery with your that golfers everywhere are calling "the Holy Grail of golf golf" absolutely free!
I've been on a mission for nearly 3 decades to help golfers enjoy the game because hitting big banana balls is NO FUN and FRUSTRATING - I used to hit the big slice, too!
But now you can see my swing leads to a very gentle draw, with tremendous power and no effort!
And I want you to experience this too for yourself!
So, please let me share this amazing discovery with you, absolutely free, and you can take the AXIOM for a test drive today and watch your big slice transform before your very eyes into a baby draw!
Simply click the button below to cure your over the top slice once and for all and let the AXIOM set you on the path to enlightened ball striking!
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