Play A Draw Or A Fade In Golf - Which Is Best?

The old argument of whether to play a draw or a fade in golf has historically been won by those in the "draw" camp. Not sure why but I suspect because it gets more distance. It may also be because over ninety percent of golfers have an uncontrollable slice and would love to hit a draw.

whatever the reason a draw or a fade are both great "bread and butter" shots to have. Even better is to play either as the situation calls for it.

So which is better a draw or a fade? As I am one of those that favor a draw I shall just argue the pros and cons of each.

Before I do I think I need to let my readers know the characteristics of a fade and a draw. Do not mistake these two ball flights with a slice or a hook.

The descriptions that follow are for right-handed golfers. For left-handed golfers the ball merely goes the other way but everything else remains the same.

The Draw:

• Is a result of an in-to-out golf swing with a square club face through impact.
• The result is the ball starts off slightly right of the target line and when it reaches its peak drops back to the left on to the target.
• The overall spin of the ball is that of topspin and as a result you should get maximum roll when it lands.
• Not to be confused with the hook which is the result of an in-to-out swing and a closed club face at impact. Here the ball will still have topspin but will start left of target and keep going left.

The Fade:

• The result of an out-to-in swing path with a square club face through impact.
• The fade shot will start slightly left of target and, when it reaches its peak, will fall back to the right and on to the target.
• The overall spin of the ball is one of underspin so when it lands it will stop very quickly.
• Don't confuse the fade with a slice which is the result of an out-to-in swing path and an open club face at impact. The slice starts right of target and keeps going right.

Which shot is the better shot to play is entirely personal.

The trade-off for a draw with the greater distance is the ability to control the stopping distance.

With a fade you won't get the distance but you will know you can stop the ball quickly.

Maybe a combination of the two is the way to go: Play the draw off the tee and on the longer fairway shots but use the fade for the approach shots.

If a draw is your stock shot learn to play the fade and conversely if a fade is your bread and butter shot try to master the draw for that extra distance.

Of course you may well be one of the ninety percent that is simply struggling for any consistency at all in which case you need to look at your overall swing and get it grooved before you try working the ball around the course.

Great game isn't it?