Golf Tips

Working the ball left to right, or right to left is not as difficult as it may seem. Below are some easy tips to allow you to curve the ball on call!

Note- clubface position at impact determines how the ball flies.

To hit a draw-

1- aim the clubface where you want the ball to finish
2- aim your body down the line you want the ball to start
3- grip club normally, but the toe of the club will be turned down (hooked) relative to your body line
4- swing down your body line

To hit a fade-

Everything the same as above, except that the toe of the club is open, not turned down

note: be sure to aim your body far enough around the object you are trying to curve the ball around. The farther away from the flag you have to aim your body, the more you will have to adjust clubface angle at address.

Two more principles:

1- take one less club than normal for a hook, because the ball will fly lower and longer because the iron is being de-lofted.

2- take one more club than normal for a fade, because the ball will fly higher and shorter because you are slightly adding loft to the club.

Generally you can make a ball hook more than you can make it fade, and a big sweeping hook around a tree tends to be easier than a big fade.

Experiment on the driving range with hooks and fades. Turn the club down more, aim more right (for a right-hander) and see how much you can hook the ball. Do the same with fades. Knowing what you are capable of on the range will give you confidence to try that type of shot on the course when you need to escape trouble, get around a tree, or attack a tucked pin.