Every golfer needs to add as many shots to their arsenal as they can if they want to improve their game and shoot lower scores. Sometimes when an object such as a tree is in line with your target or if the green has a hazard you want to hit around, you will want to learn to work the ball to the left or the right. A fade is when the ball is curved from the left to the right. It is a shot that golfers of all skill levels can pull off and is easier than you might think. Here are a couple simple things you can do that will have you hitting the fade in no time.

Set-Up

These instructions are intended for a right handed golfer. A lefty should just reverse the directions. The first thing you want to do is address the golf ball just as you would for a normal shot. Now adjust your feet to aim left of the target. The amount depends on the individuals swing and the amount of fade for the desired shot. Aiming more left (45 degrees) would produce a large fade or almost a slice and a small amount left (5 degrees) will produce a small amount of fade. Next aim the clubface at the target or where you want the ball to end up and then grip the club normally. (This will make you grip the club with a slightly open face to where your body is aligned) So now your body and feet are aimed left of the intended target and your club is aimed at the target. Now just swing normally as you would a normal shot. Swing along the path of your body and feet. The path of the club along your body will start the ball to the left of your target or the object you are hitting around and the clubface being open at the target will put spin on the ball making it fade from the left to the right. A few swings at the range and you can see the ball start fading. Just make sure to practice it and over time you will really be able to control the amount the ball fades and you will become very comfortable and accurate with the shot.

Grip Trick

There is a quick and easy way to get the golf ball to fade if you are having trouble. Grip is one of the major influences on the clubface so if you have a “weak” grip the ball will fade or slice and if you grip the club with a “strong” grip the ball will tend to draw or hook. Below is an image of a standard grip in the neutral position. Next to it is an image of a weak grip which is the grip we want to use if we are looking for a quick fix if you are hooking the ball or if you need to try and hit a fade out on the course under pressure. Hit a few shots with a weak grip on the club to see how the ball responds and soon enough you will have a little go to move when you really need to hit a fade or slice when the course demands it!