Not Clear on Shaping Shots

Hello everyone!

I have noticed in some circles that when players are trying to learn to draw the ball, they and their coaches advocate trying to start the ball right of target and drawing it back in.

I just wanted peoples slant on the following:

On the range or course, most will align their feet at the target. If they want to hit a draw, they then have to swing in such a fashion that essentially means their hands are not swinging along their toe-line. It's even coached sometimes in an effort to get people swinging in - out or approaching the ball from the inside.

Would it not be easier to use the two facets of aim in a different way? For example, if you want to draw it in, aim straight right (for righties with feet, knees, hips and shoulders) of the target and close the clubface to the target, then swing along the toe line? If we stand on a tee and hook it slightly (not pull), is that not a lovely draw but away from the target because of a closed clubface?!

Seems easier and more logical to me than aiming straight and having the ball start right? You'd never know how far right it's gonna start or how much it'll come back.

This may be bleedin' obvious to most, however! If so, I have had, on the morning of Wednesday November 28th, an epiphany of sorts. My work for the day us done.

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Neil,

You are correct that there are two ways to shape a shot, both have the effect of putting sidespin on the ball. Whether you wish to draw, fade, slice or hook at will, the amount of side spin is what will determine the outcome.

One method I was taught was to align your body for the initial direction the ball takes off and point the clubface in the direction you wish the ball to finish, you then hit along the line of your feet. This works well except that fades and slices will soar and draws and hooks will dive due to the clubface being opened or closed, adding or removing loft in the process.

The other method is more of a natural shot and most players will have a natural tendency towards one or the other. This is where you hit slightly in to out for a draw and rotate the toe of the club around the heel through impact thus creating the desired clockwise sidespin. For a fade the shot will be slightly out to in with the heel leading the toe. The former favours a stronger grip the latter a weaker. The player will normally aim off slightly closed in the draw and open for the fade as this will encourage the in-to-out or out-to-n swing.

It is not a good idea to mix the two methods or you will become familiar with regular forays to the woods.

Hope this helps.

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

hi
when i use to play the draw as my every day shot then i would set up with my feet hips and shoulders to the right of where i wanted the ball to go and i would close the club face at address to aim at the target and that worked well for me for almost 20 years. when i started having spine problems i gave up golf for 3 years but went back and found using the draw put to much pressure on my spine so i changed back to the fade.
when i set up to fade the ball i do it differently to setting for a draw.
i set up open about 40% and my hips are about 35% and my shoulders are set about 20 %. on the down swing i come from inside to out and it feels like i push my arms away from the body as i come into the impact zone and there is no crossing over of the right hand till my hands are past my left hip and my arms swing down a line about 5% left of the target and that will make the ball fade about 5% if i want a 10% fade then i swing down the line at about 10% left of the target.
using this system works wonderfully well for fading the ball and its easy to adjust how much fade you want.
off the two ways i found using the draw was longer but you had less control of the ball and with the club face coming in open to square to closed the amount of draw varied and i could not control my hand like some player's can.
with the fade it is shorter and i lose about 10 to 15 yards on a drive but its all controllably and you soon feel you can hit a spot on the fairway time and time again and i never felt that hitting a draw.
if its distance you want then you need then work on getting a draw but if you need control then a fade if the way to go. some of the best pro golfer faded the ball so it not all about distance and you can set you to fade the ball not like me but with your stance open and open the club face at impact like you do when in a bunker.
cheers
bill

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Where's that popcorn smiley?

Both Neil and Brian identify the two popular methods - one is to close the stance and close the face (relative to the target) and swing down the toe line with your normal swing motion.

Option two is to setup like always, but involve hand action to manipulate the clubface through impact.

Personally, I try not to work the ball (and am still trying to groove my swing and action to get a repeatable ball flight with a known miss).

On the times I have tried, it seems the exaggerated hand action is what works for me - choking off for a deliberate fade, and snapping the face shut for a draw.

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hi
one other thing i find is when hitting a draw i always finish with my hand low about shoulder hight and that seems to help. with a fade i always try and Finnish with my hands high and up near my head.
cheers
bill

i just line up square, swing the club and draw the ball.

cant hit a fade to save my life

Trade ya swings!

The alternative method is one which Faldo used to employ: Set up with the feet open to the target but the shoulders closed. Keep the shoulders closed coming into the ball, thereby promoting a clear in to out path.

I've actually tried this and, I must say, it works. Only thing is, though, it really puts a strain on the lower back.