Miles Bennett
Hitting a fade in golf is a coveted skill that can help save strokes every round. A fade is a controlled shot that lands softly and doesn't deviate from the player's intended target. For right-handed golfers, a fade describes an airborne ball that starts to the left of the target and curves back to it. To hit a fade, golfers must master a few fundamentals, including grip, swing path, and clubface angle. The grip should be slightly weaker than normal, with the top hand rotated counterclockwise. The swing path should be slightly outside-to-in, meaning the club moves from right to left for right-handed golfers. The clubface angle should be slightly open at impact, with the clubface pointed just left of the target. Visualisation and drills, such as the flamingo drill, can also help golfers improve their ability to consistently hit a fade.
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What You'll Learn
- For right-handed golfers, the clubface should be aimed slightly left of the target
- Swing your arms so that your trail arm is under your lead arm
- Visualise the ball's left-to-right movement before you take your swing
- Make sure your grip is slightly weaker than normal
- Put an extra golf glove under your right armpit as you swing
For right-handed golfers, the clubface should be aimed slightly left of the target
Hitting a fade in golf is a coveted skill. A fade is a more controlled shot that lands softly and doesn't stray from the intended target. For right-handed golfers, hitting a fade involves a left-to-right ball flight. To achieve this, the clubface should be aimed slightly left of the target, with the clubface angle slightly open to the swing path at impact. This will create a left-to-right spin on the ball.
To aim left of the target, right-handed golfers can adjust their stance by aligning their feet and shoulders to the left of the target. This will promote a more out-to-in swing path, which is crucial to hitting a fade. Visualising the ball's left-to-right movement before taking the swing can also help execute this technique. Additionally, the grip is important when hitting a fade. For right-handers, the top hand (left hand) should be rotated counterclockwise, so you see two knuckles instead of three at the address. This weaker grip will help keep the clubface open through impact.
Another technique to achieve a left-to-right spin is to focus on the trail shoulder. For right-handed golfers, the trail shoulder should feel like it is covering the ball at impact. This will help ensure the clubface is open at impact, creating the desired spin. Furthermore, placing the ball slightly forward in the stance can promote a more left-to-right ball flight.
It is important to note that while aiming left of the target, golfers should be careful not to open the clubface too much. If the clubface is excessively open, the ball will start and curve further right, resulting in a slice. Therefore, adjustments should be fine-tuned to achieve the desired fade without losing control of the shot.
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Swing your arms so that your trail arm is under your lead arm
To hit a fade in golf, you need to understand the relationship between the clubface angle and swing path. The clubface angle at impact determines the starting direction of the ball, and the resulting curve reflects the difference between your swing path and face angle at impact. To hit a fade, the clubface must be slightly open to the swing path at impact.
To achieve this, you can focus on the position of your arms. As you swing your arms through, feel your trail arm more under your lead arm through impact to maintain an open clubface. This will help you keep the clubface angle slightly open to your swing path at impact, which is necessary for hitting a fade.
For right-handed golfers, a fade describes an airborne golf ball that starts to the left of the target and curves back. To achieve this, you need to swing to the left of your target. This means aiming your clubface at the target and swinging along the line of your feet, with your shoulders and feet aligned to the left of your target.
By focusing on the position of your arms and ensuring your trail arm is under your lead arm through impact, you can consistently hit a fade in golf. This technique allows you to control the clubface angle and swing path, resulting in a controlled and reliable shot that curves back to your target.
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Visualise the ball's left-to-right movement before you take your swing
Visualising the ball's left-to-right movement before taking your swing is a crucial aspect of executing a successful fade shot in golf. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you master this visualisation and improve your fade:
Firstly, understand that a fade shot involves a left-to-right movement for right-handed golfers and a right-to-left movement for left-handed golfers. This movement is often described as a "cut shot" or a soft shot that is easier to control and stops precisely where you want it to. Visualise this gentle curve as the ball moves through the air, allowing you to guide it towards your intended target.
To achieve this left-to-right movement, it's important to aim slightly left of your target (for right-handed golfers) and visualise this alignment. This slight adjustment in your aim will influence the ball's movement, bringing it back towards the centre or your intended target. Think of it as intentionally shaping your shot to curve gently from left to right.
When visualising the ball's movement, also consider the role of your clubface angle and swing path. For a fade shot, the clubface should be slightly open to the swing path at impact, creating a left-to-right spin on the ball. Visualise this open clubface and how it will interact with the ball to produce the desired left-to-right action.
Additionally, focus on getting your weight and pressure onto your lead side before impact. This will help you avoid stalling with your lower body and ensure a smooth transition through the ball. Visualise your body's movement and the transfer of weight as you prepare to make contact with the ball.
Practising with alignment rods or using a golf swing tracker can also aid in visualising the ball's movement. These tools help you feel and understand your swing path, allowing you to make adjustments and improve your consistency in producing the desired left-to-right movement for a fade shot.
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Make sure your grip is slightly weaker than normal
To hit a fade in golf, you need to understand the relationship between clubface angle and swing path. The clubface angle at impact determines the starting direction of the ball, and the resulting curve reflects the difference between your swing path and face angle at impact. To hit a fade, the clubface must be slightly open to the swing path at impact.
To ensure the clubface remains open through impact, you need to weaken your grip. This means that for a right-handed player, your left hand should be rotated a little counterclockwise. Instead of seeing three knuckles on your top hand at address, you should see two. Your bottom hand should also rotate slightly in the same direction. This will help you keep the clubface open through impact and hit a fade.
Another way to weaken your grip is to place your trail hand more on top of the grip. If you've done it correctly, your trail thumb will be directly in line with the clubhead. This will prevent you from rolling your wrists too much, which can cause the clubface to close.
By weakening your grip and keeping the clubface open, you can consistently hit a fade shot. This shot is more controlled than a slice and will help you save strokes during your round.
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Put an extra golf glove under your right armpit as you swing
Hitting a fade in golf is a coveted skill. A fade is a controlled shot that lands softly and doesn't get away from the player's intended target. It is a shot that can save strokes every round and is more reliable than a slice.
To hit a fade, you need to understand the relationship between the clubface angle and swing path. The clubface angle at impact determines the starting direction of the ball, and the resulting curve reflects the difference between the swing path and face angle at impact.
One technique to ensure the proper swing path is to put an extra golf glove under your right armpit as you swing. This technique is used by many tour players and even Tiger Woods. As you swing through the ball, squeeze the glove in place. This will push the club to the left, ensuring it is on the proper path. Keep the clubface slightly open as it works its way through the impact, and you will hit a nice fade shot.
This technique is especially useful if you struggle with a slice in your game. By putting the glove under your right armpit, you encourage a shallower start to the backswing. It helps you maintain a good swing plane and develop a consistent swing path that uses body rotation to produce power, rather than relying on your arms.
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Frequently asked questions
A fade in golf, also known as a cut shot, is a ball flight that shapes left-to-right for right-handed players and right-to-left for left-handers. It is a controlled shot that lands softly and doesn't deviate from the intended target.
To hit a fade, the clubface must be slightly open to the swing path at impact, with the clubface angle creating the desired curve. The swing path should be outside-to-in, with the club hitting the ball and moving left for right-handers. A weaker grip with the top hand rotated counterclockwise can also help facilitate a fade.
Visualisation is a powerful tool to improve your golf game. Before taking your swing, visualise the ball's left-to-right movement for a fade. Additionally, using tools like the Alignment Disc can help you practice and feel the out-to-in swing path required for a fade.
