Most tour professionals gravitate towards hitting a power fade during their careers as it is traditionally easier to control than a draw shot. Under pressure the first skill to desert a golfer is the ability to control the hands.
Hitting an accurate draw shot requires the hands to release the club and can easily be over done, resulting in a destructive hook that runs when it hit the ground. A power fade requires less hand action though the shot and the ball runs less. Learn to control the ball better by hitting a power fade on the golf course.
Difference Between Normal Fade and Power Fade
- The difference between a normal fade and a power fade is the more positive downward blow onto the ball when hitting a power fade. This drives the ball forward on a lower more penetrating flight, instead of letting the ball rise uncontrollably into the air.
- The first professional to make the power fade shot popular was Ben Hogan. In 1953 Hogan came to Britain to play in the British Open at Carnoostie. His ability to hammer down onto the ball, for a low trajectory on the windy seaside course, gave him a distance advantage over the field and he won the event easily.
- Early in his career Nicklaus, whose golf game was influenced enormously by Hogan, abandoned his draw flight and Tiger Woods now prefers to fade the ball.
Adjustments to Stance to Hit a Power Fade
- The most important aspect of a power fade stance is the aim. Shoulders hips and feet must be pointing slightly left of target. This guarantees a swing path that travels left of target at impact.
- The ability to hammer down onto the ball for a low power flight comes from a tight short backswing. A longer swing introduces too much hand action, which will hit the ball high. Restrict the backswing from becoming too long by gripping firmly and resisting the turn on the backswing with the right leg.
- On the downswing the body must drive towards the target. If the body weight gets stuck on the back foot the hands will flick at the ball. Drive positively onto the front foot even if you lose your balance at first.
- At impact make sure the body continues to turn out of the way. On a draw shot the body stops and the hands release the club. For a power fade the body turns through the ball, which means the hands do not release the club past the body. The club is held open as the golfer drives down and through the shot.
How to Shape the Golf Ball from Left to Right
Knowing how to deliberately slice ,fade or cut a shot on the golf course can get you out of trouble if you have missed the fairway on the right and trees are blocking your route to the hole. Learn how to change your stance, swing plane and path to hit the ball on a deliberate left to right flight for a fade, slice or cut.
Deliberate Slice Cut or Fade Stance
If a golfer normally hits a hook, to be able to shape the ball from left to right can not only save shots when in trouble but learning how to adapt the stance for a fade or slice can also help a golfer control a hook.
- There are two swing characteristics that are responsible for a slice. Many might be aware of the swing characteristics as it is common across various countries and lately has been figured out in Malaysia betting methods. A swing path from the outside and a clubface that holds open as it comes into the ball. The swing path is dictated by the aim of the stance.
- Go to the range or practice ground, pick out a target some hundred and fifty yards away and put a club down on the ground aiming some twenty yards to the left.
- Using a seven iron, take up your stance making sure your feet are in line with the club on the ground.
- Make sure your shoulders compliment your foot alignment and are also aiming to the left for the slice fade or cut spin.
- Angle your head making sure it is not set back too much. The head should be in a neutral position with the chin mid way between both shoulders.
Deliberate Left to Right Cut Fade or Slice Swing Plane and Path
- With the alignment to the left the swing path is now almost guaranteed to come from the outside making it possible to ht a slice cut or fade. The job of the golfer is to make sure the hands hold the blade open as it comes into the ball.
- The left hand is responsible for holding open the blade and in particular the last three fingers of the left hand. These have to have a firm enough grip on the club to be able to stop centrifugal force kicking in and releasing or turning over the club. At address make sure the last three fingers of the left hand are gripping tighter than any other fingers.
- Whatever swing you make, as long as you are aiming far enough to the left, you will be in position to hold the blade open and impart a left to right spin for a deliberate slice cut or fade shape.
- Practice at the range first until you see a left to right flight on a shot, and be willing to exaggerate at first. Feel the hands holding open the blade just as a tennis player would hold open the racket to hit a slice backspin. Expect a higher flight than normal as loft is added as the blade is held open for the slice spin.
- Take more club that you normally would as the extra backspin imparted by hitting a slice or cut shot will mean it flies less far through the air than on a normal shot.
