Is a fade or a draw better in golf?
Should you play a draw with your woods for longer distances and a fade with your irons to hit more greens? What is the most consistent shot pattern in golf?
These are among many questions new and amateur golfers have when it comes to golf for beginners. Continue reading to learn more about each type of shot and the best training aids to improve your shot patterns for better consistency.
Draw vs. Fade – Which is Better?
There are nine shot patterns in golf based on swing path and clubface at impact.
The nine shots include three versions of a fade (normal, high, low trajectory), draw (normal, high, low trajectory), and straight (normal, high, low trajectory).
Let’s get into the details of each shot, why they occur, and resources to practice them. If you want a full breakdown on a draw vs. fade and how to hit each type of shot, read our full guide now.
Fade Golf Shot
A fade is a golf shot that curves left to right in the air for a right-handed golfer. This happens because the face is slightly open at impact position.
If the ball moves more than about seven yards, it’s considered a slice. Longer clubs that have less loft – like a driver – are more likely to slice.
A slice is one of the most common shots in golf, especially for everyday golfers. Learn more about fixing your slice now.
Pros
- Easier to hit than a draw.
- Doesn’t require as much timing in your swing.
- Better to hit into the greens as there is more spin.
Cons
- Easy to turn into a slice.
- Hard to hit at a lower trajectory.
- Not as long as a straight shot or draw shot pattern.
- Doesn’t get as much roll as a draw since there isn’t as much topspin.
Practicing a Fade
As mentioned above, most amateur golfers struggle with a slice.
To tame your slice and turn it into a fade, make one simple adjustment – strengthen your grip. A weak grip is the leading cause of shots that move too far from left to right in the air.
If you can get your hands in a more neutral position (not strong), this subtle shift can instantly impact your ball flight. If you’re still struggling with a slice, Eric Cogorno has one of the simplest fixes and drills in the video below.
Additionally, don’t forget to check out Hank Haney’s One Shot Slice Fix. This video training series can help you eliminate your slice, learn how to play a fade (or draw) and add distance in only one practice session.
Draw Golf Shot
The opposite of a fade is a draw – and it’s one of the most sought-after shots in golf.
A draw is a golf shot that curves from right to left in the air for a right-handed golfer. This happens because the face is slightly closed at impact position.
If the ball moves more than about seven yards, it’s considered a hook. A hook shot can lead to some big misses because this shot pattern produces more topspin.
Pros
- Longer distance with every club.
- Works better when hitting into the wind with a flighted trajectory.
Cons
- Harder to hit for the everyday golfer.
- Not as much stopping power on the greens.
- Can lead to some big misses if your timing is off and/or have too much wrist action.
Practicing a Draw
If you’re like most golfers, chances are you want to learn the secrets to hitting a slight draw.
It’s a beautiful golf shot that looks great and is sure to impress your playing partners. Not to mention help you hit longer off the tee.
Eric Cogorno, has simplified hitting a draw with one easy drill in the video below. He also points out two common reasons why most golfers don’t hit a draw, so you can avoid these mistakes that happen in the backswing.
Also, if your draw is turning into a hook a little more often than you’d like, make sure to check out this video to fix the issue fast.
SwingFix AI
As you can imagine, it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed understanding clubface control and path. Luckily, you don’t need to find a local pro and book a lesson to get the results you want.
Now, you can use artificial intelligence to identify your swing flaws and create a plan to improve with SwingFix AI. Here’s how it works:
- Easily record your swing using our app.
- Upload your video and let AI analyze your swing flaws based on 17 data points.
- Our AI software will identify your biggest swing flaws in order of importance.
- Then provide drills and tips to make lasting changes to your swing.
Learn more about SwingFix AI now.
You’re Ready to Master the Fade and Draw Shots
As you can tell, there are pros and cons to both types of shots. Ultimately, one isn’t better than the other – it’s about minimizing a big miss (hook or slice) and trying to have a consistent shot pattern.
While it’s important to know how to hit both types of shots, don’t feel like you always need to change your shot based on the hole. Playing one shot shape will help you have more consistency and minimize the big miss.
If you’re intimidated by making swing changes or trying to create a new shot pattern, SwingFix AI is your solution. Or, you can always join the VIP coaching as well for unlimited swing reviews from certified PGA coaches.
