Shaping the Ball

hi Cyc
with the short irons the backspin overpowers any side spin so its hard to get a fade or draw with a 9 iron or wedge as there is to much backspin.
you can hit a draw and fade with wedges but there is less backspin and the ball don't stop as quickly.
with the driver the backspin is there till the ball reaches the top of its flight and then the side spin takes over and it fades or draws.
most well hit fades or draws start out along the swing plane and only fade or draw when the ball reaches the top of it flight.
with a big fade the side spin takes over as the balls is still climbing and you lose some distance using this shot.
cheers
bill

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I think most pro's play fades or draws not because it is harder/easier to play then the straight shots, but rather it is easier to control your distances. It is much easier to get the ball closer to the hole if it is coming in sideways with spin especially if you have the ability to start the ball in the middle of the green and let it work towards the hole. While straght shots tend to run through greens.

On the other hand there have been some pretty good golfers who have successful by playing just one of the shots most all of the time. i.e. Bruce Lietzke just played a power fade, Kenny Perry just hits a draw. Now if you can win on tour by playing one shot well and playing to your strength, I think most ametuers can learn from that.