Players on the PGA and LPGA tour use a variety of shot shapes to help them score and manage their game on the course. Among the most commonly used shots are the fade and the draw, which can be used to maneuver around obstacles, position the ball in optimal locations, and take advantage of different wind conditions.

As everyday players progress on their golfing journey, shaping shots can be a fun way to improve your game and spice up your practice sessions. 

At Under Par we vary how often we work on shot shaping based on your playing level. The better you are and the more frequently you can practice, the more often you should try to work on this at the practice facility. 

Here is our basic guide to learning how to hit a fade and draw. As you advance, you can work with your coach to iterate on these basics! 

How to hit a fade:

1. Align your body slightly to the left of your target if you are a right-handed golfer or to the right of your target if you are a left-handed golfer. This means that your feet, hips, and shoulders should be aimed slightly left of your target for right-handed golfers or right of your target for left-handed golfers. This body alignment will create an open clubface at impact, which will produce the desired spin on the ball.

2. Position the ball slightly forward in your stance. This means that the ball should be closer to your front foot than your back foot than a normal shot. This ball position will encourage a descending strike on the ball and help to produce a lower ball flight.

3. Aim the clubhead where you want the ball to go. In this case, it should be right of your body alignment if you are a right-handed golfer or left of your body alignment if you are a left-handed golfer. This will create a slight difference between your body alignment and the clubface alignment, which will further promote the desired spin on the ball.

4. Swing along the path of your body alignment. This means that your downswing should follow the line of your body alignment, with a slightly out-to-in swing path for right-handed golfers or slightly in-to-out for left-handed golfers to generate the fade. Make sure to maintain your body alignment throughout the swing and avoid any unnecessary movement that could affect the direction of the shot.

How to hit a draw:

1. Align your body slightly to the right of your target if you are a right-handed golfer or to the left of your target if you are a left-handed golfer. This means that your feet, hips, and shoulders should be aimed slightly right of your target for right-handed golfers or left of your target for left-handed golfers. This body alignment will create a closed clubface at impact, which will produce the desired spin on the ball.

2. Position the ball slightly back in your stance. This means that the ball should be closer to your back foot than your front foot than a normal shot. This ball position will encourage an ascending strike on the ball and help to produce a higher ball flight.

3. Aim the clubhead where you want the ball to go. In this case, it should be left of your body alignment if you are a right-handed golfer or right of your body alignment if you are a left-handed golfer. This will create a slight difference between your body alignment and the clubface alignment, which will further promote the desired spin on the ball.

4. Swing along the path of your body alignment. This means that your downswing should follow the line of your body alignment, with a slightly in-to-out swing path for right-handed golfers or slightly out-to-in for left-handed golfers to generate the draw. Again, make sure to maintain your body alignment throughout the swing and avoid any unnecessary movement that could affect the direction of the shot.

In conclusion, being able to hit a fade and a draw can add a valuable tool to your golf game. By following these tips, you can learn how to hit these shots with confidence and control. Remember to practice these shots regularly to develop consistency and to get the most out of your game.