Most players fade the golf ball, and they wish they could draw it. Firstly, I would like to tell you that there is nothing wrong with hitting a fade. Trust me, a draw can also become a nightmare.
What we need is to limit the amount of curve we put on the ball. The first step is to understand the problem. A fade ball flight is created when the club head swings across the ball from outside to inside with a club face open to the swing path (but still closed to the target). This assumes that you made good contact in the centre of the club face…because hitting the ball on the inside (or nearest side to you) of the club face can also contribute to a fade. Most golfers that are fading the ball are afraid of right hand side of the golf course.
The fade can be difficult for many golfers to fix because in order to avoid hitting the ball to the right, you actually have to swing more out to the right. What you think is swinging down the line toward the target is actually swinging to the left. To get you to swing down the line in reality, you may have to feel like you’re swinging well to the right. This can be very scary!
I urge you to go to the range and practice swinging to the right of the target. Pick your target and look at where the ball starts. Look at your divots, if your divot is pointing to the left of your target it means you are swinging in that direction.
Thinus Keller
PGA Head Golf Professional
pro@stfrancislinks.com