Being able to shape the golf ball at will is one of the most effective skills a golfer can have in their arsenal. This level of ball control will demonstrate they have much more confidence in their playing ability than your average recreational golfer. That being said, you don’t have to be a low handicap golfer or pro to shape the ball at will, and with practice, you, too, will be able to produce fades and draws. Most golfers will head down to their local driving range to work on their draws and fades, and this is an effective way to get a good feel for the setup and swing needed to curve the ball. However, if you want to know exactly how the ball is traveling, which will give you a more accurate picture of where you need to work on your swing, then indoor golf is the only way to get this level of response and develop the ability to fade and draw shots.
How to Fade
A fade shot is where the ball curves in a controlled manner from left to right if you are right-handed (the opposite direction if you are left-handed). To hit a fade shot, move the ball up in your stance and position your stance slightly open. The swing needs to be steeper than usual and on an outside-to-in swing path. When you strike the ball, the face angle needs to be to the left of the target. The lower the club number, the more curve you will get with a fade. A fade hit with a driver will curve between 1 and 15 yards, with less deviation as you go up the irons.
How to Draw
A draw is where the ball curves in a controlled manner from right to left if you are right-handed. Compared to a fade, the draw is harder to pull off successfully. The ball needs to be slightly back in your stance, and you need to be in a closed stance (feet and shoulders aiming to the right of the target). The swing path must be inside-to-out, sending the ball to the right. To achieve this, line your body up to the right of your intended target and set the club up so it is closer to your body. A good tip is to bow the wrist, which will help close the club’s face. As with the fade, the curve deviations should be between 1 and 15 yards, depending on your club.
How to Use Indoor Golf to Improve
The ability to fade or draw your shots will improve your game, as you will be able to strategize your approach to the green better. Dogleg corners can be more easily cut, and obstacles such as trees in your line of sight can be avoided without taking extra shots. To make fade and draws a part of your game, you will need to get comfortable hitting them; otherwise, you will end up constantly hooking and slicing the ball. A virtual driving range has an advantage over a regular driving range as it lets you see the exact flight of the ball after every strike and will tell you how much spin it has. Using this data, you can make the necessary adjustments to your swing and stance to perfect your curved shots. A virtual driving range will also give you an accurate idea of which club you can most consistently hit a fade or draw with and how different clubs affect the amount of curve.
Once comfortable, you can go on a virtual course of your choice to put your new ability into practice. A course with dogleg holes, obstacles, and hazards will give you plenty of opportunities to fade and draw shots in the exact situations you would find yourself in on a golf course. If you work with an indoor golf pro coach, they will be able to give you feedback based on the data from the simulator to improve your shot shaping. When you next go for a round of golf, you will be able to deftly get around the course, lowering your scores and improving your overall ability and enjoyment of the game.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to fade or draw your shots is the next step if you want to improve your game and dramatically develop your ability to maneuver around the golf course. Players who score lower are able to do so because of their ball control. Using indoor golf simulators, you can perfect your fades and draws by accurately tracking your shots and using the data to improve your swing.