Hitting a Fade

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Learning how to hit a fade is all about learning to control the release of the golf club. This is made easier by being in the proper position at the top to keep the face slightly open through impact.

  • The left hand controls the club face in the golf swing
  • To hit a fade, place the ball slightly forward in your stance so it will start slightly left of the line
  • Cup the left wrist very slightly through the downswing for a more open club face angle
  • You can also delay the release by a fraction of a second if desired


As I talked about in the draw the ball video, Everything that you're doing is being dictated by what you do.

With your left hand in the swing.

In terms of what the club face angle is going to do.

When it comes to fading the ball, incredibly simple, Again, very, very slight adjustments in your swing that are going to make it so that you can get the ball to cut left to right without any problems whatsoever.

That's the whole point of RST is that the swing, The movements are so small and simple that you have the ability to manipulate and the freedom to manipulate the club face as you see fit.

If you want to hit straight shots, piece of cake, that takes care of itself.

If you want to start manipulating ball flight, hitting it lower, hitting it higher, left to right, right to left, piece of cake.

So here's all you're going to do to learn to fade the ball.

As I talked about in the draw the ball video, I move the ball back slightly if I want the ball to start out to the right and draw back to the left.

It just depends on the type of shot that you need.

That's going to tend to lead to be able to let you hit a ball that's going to start to the right.

Versus if somebody who.

You just want to hook it around a tree really quick, you might not move the ball position because you want it to start left of your target line.

The same thing is true of the fade.

All I'm going to do is just move the ball slightly forward in my stance.

What that's going to do is give me a little bit more time to come slightly across the ball in my release in order to get the ball to start a little bit more left of my line.

If I moved it back in my stance, I'm going to tend to come from the inside.

As it's a little forward, I'm going to tend to come, I go from down the line.

As it's back in my stance, I'm going to tend to come still from the inside to hit it.

As it's forward, It gives me the ability to come a little bit more over it and get the ball to start slightly left in my target line, or even on my line and fade to the right.

The big thing there is now just controlling the club face angle.

You can move the ball slightly forward to give you a slightly into out path.

Now all we need to do is just worry about this logo on our left hand.

All I'm going to do now, rather than going to the top and making sure that my wrist is flat, I'm going to allow a slight cupping.

Then I'm going to maintain that cupping through the downswing.

If I go to the top of my normal position, my wrist is flat.

To hit a fade, I'm going to let it cup slightly.

Again, we're talking very little differences here, just a slight amount.

Now as I'm in that position, my wrist is slightly open, the club face is slightly open.

As I come down, I'm basically just going to keep it there.

At this position, my wrist is no longer in that little arched position.

It's slightly cupped, very, very slightly cupped.

Now as the ball is forward, I'll probably get my shoulders just a hair open at impact.

That allows me to keep the club face from releasing.

Now I can get that club face, as long as I feel that the logo of my glove doesn't flip over, I can get my hands to hold the release of the club by feeling that the logo of my glove faces down the target line a little bit longer.

Versus, normally, I would release it and get the logo of my glove facing behind me.

Hitting a fade, very, very simple.

You're going to let it cup slightly at the top, Move the ball slightly forward in your stance if you want the ball to start left of your target line or even on your line.

Then as you're coming through impact, Keep that logo of your glove facing down the target line just a split second longer and then hold off the release, depending on how much you want to cut it.

You'll be able to get around those trees or anything else and fade the ball to right flags with no problem at all.

Just work on holding that angle just a little bit, getting a little bit more cupped at the top, and you'll be able to hit fades.

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64x64
Julie
For fairway woods off the tee do I hit up on it or down on it? Thank you.
June 20, 2019
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
fairway woods are intended to be struck with a negative angle of attack due to the design of the club. The only club that is designed to strike with a positive angle of attack is the driver.
June 20, 2019
64x64
Julie
O.k. Thank you
June 20, 2019
64x64
Alfonso
I really want to know how to hit a very low slice or a very low fade, how do I do this?? Is there a video where I can learn this shot Best regards,
September 6, 2018
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Alfonso. Take a look at the 9 Days to Amazing Ball Striking Section. There will be both high and low fade.
September 7, 2018
64x64
Antonio
Many tour players explain they curve the ball by setting the face of the club to the target and closing (draw) or opening (fade) the stance and swing in this direction - DJ, Langer, Justin Rose among others. What's your view on this method? Thanks
March 8, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Antonio. There are many ways to maneuver flight around. That is one particular method. Take a look at the 9 Days to Amazing Ball Striking Section to learn how we specifically teach it.
March 8, 2017
64x64
jerry
I understand how to hit draws and fades. How do I hit the ball higher or lower?
February 17, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jerry. Go to the 9 Days to Amazing Ball Striking in the Bonus Series.
February 17, 2017
64x64
Martin
Martin A little confused by the fade video. My fade does need work so I am wanting to get this clear in my mind Generally I have faded by keeping my right hand from turning over. I see no problem with holding off the release with my left hand, but I thought the use of the wrists increased distance. Will this not reduce distance to the point that it would be bad for our game?
January 13, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Martin. A proper release and rotation of the face will help with distance. It only takes a slight change in the lead wrist hold off to create the fade. Only a few degrees. You shouldn't have that much reduction in distance, or you would be holding off too much and seeing a big difference in flight.
January 14, 2017
64x64
Hector
In the video of chuck in Augusta I have a couple of questions , I don't see axis tilt and the hip bump ? IN the backswing his head is moving a lot !!!! Also he is using the rigth side so strong in the downswing
January 12, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Hector. Chuck has setup to the ball with axis tilt so many times properly. It might not look like he manually adds axis tilt/hip bump because he automatically sets into that position. Chuck's neck is fused from a prior injury. He has to allow for rotation of his head to rotate. Also, he isn't using much of his trail side at all in the downswing. If you notice how well his swing shallows and pace of transition. He wouldn't be able to achieve this big trail side push.
January 12, 2017
64x64
Alasdair
Hi. What is wrong with simply at address opening the clubface slightly with your normal grip/set up for a fade, and then slightly closed for a draw? Nothing else changes - seems simple!
July 23, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Alasdair. Club face dictates 85% of initial flight. The issue with presetting the club open is it will tend to have you aiming off target and then curving or moving the ball further off target in the shot. You are also presetting your impact position to be one that is static versus dynamic.
July 23, 2016
64x64
Phil
Hi, I agree with an opening of the club face at the top of the back swing to achieve a fade shot. But with cupping the left wrist, that is a swing fault in some peoples swings. Why should I fix my hook shots (which is a fault) with a different fault (cupped left wrist) to achieve my goals? Surely that would not add consistency to my game?
October 19, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Phil. Some positions to hit certain shots require an adjustment. I agree I don't want you to fall into some old habits. Take a look at the Hitting a Fade Day 3 in the 9 Days to Amazing Ball Striking Section.
October 19, 2015
64x64
Tom
I would like help understanding how the right arm works when hitting a fade. In particular, in this video does the right arm still add the speed to the swing. If so, is the motion different than what is shown in the "Throw the Ball" videos. If not, how do you get sufficient swing speed to hit the ball an appropriate distance? I have the same question for the "Bomb Your Driver" swing when you put the ball forward in your stance, open your stance and then "hold off" your release. Do you still fully release the club when hitting a fade but just later in the swing motion (i.e. after you have hit the ball?) or not at all? Not to be redundant, but your instruction has finally given me the tools I have needed to play golf the way I always thought I could. My thanks to all of the RTS people who have made this possible. Tom N
September 6, 2015
64x64
Tom
I think my above question may have been overlooked. Could someone please reply? Thanks, Tom
September 8, 2015
64x64
Evan
Looking for a better explanation is or picture of cupped. Doesn't explain it very well.
July 15, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Evan. Take a look at How to Hit a Fade in the 9 Days to Amazing Ball Striking Section.
July 15, 2015
64x64
Evan
Where is that ...downswing?
July 16, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Evan. If you go to the Video Menu at the Top of the page. Under Bonus Series is the 9 Days Section.
July 16, 2015
64x64
Greg
Since you are delaying the release of the club, will you lose a lot of club head speed? Is the wrist still bowed at impact?
May 27, 2014
64x64
Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
You will not lose a ton of speed in the club when holding off the release but there should be a drop in rotational speed for sure. Bowing the left wrist will flight the ball down as that function from flat to bowed is delofting the club.
May 27, 2014

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