Swing path change - Draw vs Fade

[chickman1313]

Typically when I am hitting a draw my swing thought is to bring the club a little more inside when on the backswing and for a fade a little more outside, basically the path I want the club in on the downswing.

 

I'm starting to wonder if this is the right way to think about it.  Should I have a consistent backswing path regardless of the desired shot shape and then adjust the downswing based on the shot I am wanting to hit?  

 

What will typically happen over time is my draw swing will become too much inside and fade too far outside leading to hooks and slices, respectively.  It seems like the guys at the top level of the game have the same backswing regardless of their desired shot, wanting to get some insight from the homies in here on their thoughts when they are looking to shape shots.

 

TIA

[TLUBulldogGolf]

Use set up tweaks to get the desired shape. I wouldn't intentionally alter path to do it. 

Edited July 19, 2023 by TLUBulldogGolf

[chickman1313]

Yeah I do that as well, thinking I'm changing too many things, should just stick to changing one thing and keep the swing more consistent.

[naval2006]

99% of the times we feel we're doing something different nothing changes to the eye of the beholder.  

[MelloYello]

1 hour ago, TLUBulldogGolf said:

Use set up tweaks to get the desired shape. I wouldn't intentionally alter path to do it. 

 

I would add to this by saying that the less I think about my backswing in general, the better my swing seems to behave.

 

The backswing needs to be (relatively) unconscious, despite the instinct to think about it. It really hit me when I heard a Pro say, 'all swing thoughts [for him] need to be about getting thru the ball.' 

 

I think it might've been Larry Mize but I can't remember. 

 

Too many novice golfers make that mistake. They pick apart their backswing during practice and the natural tendency is to think about it--using it as a cue--during the swing.

 

The more you try and think about it, the more you'll make swinging a club really awkward. Your contact / control will probably be very inconsistent. 

 

22 minutes ago, naval2006 said:

99% of the times we feel we're doing something different nothing changes to the eye of the beholder.  

 

That's also incredibly true, LOL. 

Edited July 19, 2023 by MelloYello

[TonyRo]

I generally would change setup a smidge first and keep my swing basically the same, e.g. for a cut I'd move the ball a bit forward and align myself a bit open to the target with my feet and shoulders. A draw would obviously be the opposite - move the ball back a smidge and align myself a little closed. If I really need to sling one in one direction or other, I add in hand depth differences in the backswing as well. 

 

If you don't want to consciously "think" about hand depth as you are now, you can test out more or less trail foot flare, which may or may not give you that depth through a setup change and not require you to think about it. 

[Darom87]

Understand the mechanics of the golf swing and setup check points for shot patterns.  CF release is an ideal draw pattern and CP release is an ideal fade pattern.   Different swing planes can determine shots patterns.  Will say, many ways to swing a golf club. 

 

CF pattern example below which would move the plane line more right for a right handed golfer.  More of a move coming from the "inside" on the downswing.  

 

 

CP pattern example below which is the opposite.  More of an "over the top" move which gets the club head on the hands or slightly outside the hands on the downswing.  

 

 

 

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by Darom87

[Ri_Redneck]

You tilt the spin axis of the ball by changing the differential between face angle and path. It can be done as the OP described by changing the path slightly, it can be done by adjusting your hands on the grip to close or open the FA at impact with the path remaining the same or it can be a combination of both (probably the most used and least successful with amateurs). Regardless, you have to change your launch direction since the ball is now curving. Also, an EXCESSIVE amount of practice needs to be done to control the amount of curvature consistently. Not even the pros have this completely under control, ie. drives in the rough, woods and other fairways.

 

This is why most learned golfers suggest sticking with your stock shot

 

Choose wisely!

 

BT

[phizzy30]

My back swing stays the same regardless of whether I'm trying to hit a fade or draw.  You could alter swing path to get your desired flight, HOWEVER, it can back fire on you and you could overdo which can cause extreme curvature or the dreaded double cross.  I play a draw and rarely fade the ball unless the shot calls for it.  A slight change in swing path and I try to keep the face as square as possible to slightly open.  With that being said, I think it's best to play your stock shot 95%+ of the time.  

Edited July 19, 2023 by phizzy30