Should You Hit a Fade Off the Tee with Driver? | Hitting more fairways

[@tjsesh]

When I started playing I had a slice like most people. Then I learned and tried to play a draw for years, picked up a lot of distance, but eventually that draw turned into over draws and toe hooks. For the last year I’ve switched back to a fade off the tee. It’s made my driving accuracy automatic and I haven’t really lost that much distance from when I used to play a draw!

[@alipajooman]

I always tell people to play what is consistant for them. I love that message in this video.

[@sshadow2]

Natural fade player here who's always trying to draw the ball. I generally hate fades probably because I got sick of slicing so often in my earlier days. In reality, my ball flights are a mix between slight draws, slight fades and straights. I'm just happy my overall dispersion circle is smaller and close to where I'm aiming.

[@OhThatFantasy]

this is the first time i get explained that you can be in to out and hit a fade, amazing Matty love it!

[@brandumb925]

already at 30k Matt. Incredible growth!

[@christopherlock8182]

This could possibly be exactly what I’ve been waiting for, HERE WE GO!

[@pointless5518]

I’ve been going back and forth between a draw or fade for YEARS! But the concept of hitting a fade with a slightly in to out path wasn’t something I ever considered. I am hitting my driver better than ever! Thank you!

[@roryheath9536]

I really liked the discussion. I hit a fade, am probably an over the top fade and am absolutely happy to hit a fade.

[@jacobmccain8082]

When I have to hit the fairway I hit a bit of a bullet cut. If I'm trying to hit it long I try to hit it high and turning left which is my natural shape. If I just open my stance slightly and focus on firing left and it'll go either dead straight or maybe a 5 yd cut at most.

[@davidterrie7661]

Good course management consideration. I'm a draw guy and my most common miss is a bad hook. I find when I do play a fade, I'm more conscious of the club path and face angle through impact, and I'm less likely to either quit with my lower body or get way out ahead. I've played some of my best rounds when I started out with a fade and just stuck with it. Maybe I should take a hint.

[@bobgomez9249]

I've been intentionally hitting fades for about 2 years and my game has gone from an average of about 88 to about 82 now. The consistency, the ease, the margin of error and the control allows me to hit with way more confidence and it's much easier on my back as well. Big bonus as well is that you can engage the bouce a lot more in bad (moist) lies and in the rough, it's much easier to get to the back of the ball with a fade when you're in the rough. The beauty of switching for you Matt is that you will always be able to use your draw when needed (for distance, for ease of entry into a certain area, into the wind, stingers, getting out of trouble). You will have a default extremely controllable and repeatable shot with the ability to shape it anyway you want, which is something very few people have.

[@FratBoyFishing]

I’ve started to do this, I always was trying to draw my driver and when you can make It work, you crush It, but I can’t control It. Way too many toe hits, can’t control the starting line, launch angle was hard to control. Just started trying to hit fades recently and it’s just so much easier. I naturally have a pretty in to out path so I just feel as if I’m hitting down on the driver, start the ball super far forward in my stance, little bit open in my stance and I get a nice little cut. The miss is worse though, (big pull hook), but It happens less than before I’d hit pushes.

[@kennykoalabear]

My coach is getting me to hit fades. This is to encourage a more over the top move to counter my tendency to come too inside out and pushing the clubhead and ball away from me. When I do that I can expose the heel/hosel of the clubhead to the ball thus getting weak pushes or cuts not to mention the dreaded “S” shot. My backswing and downswing was not on plane, rather both under the plane which can mean I bottom out too early and thus hit turf first. I’m working on this new more on plane move and is slowly coming around. I have the same issue as you Matt and my coach has also prescribed the same move/drill as you where I keep my right lead shoulder down and around on the downswing. I also happen to be a lefty.

[@scottd9548]

Great vid. I worked really hard to get rid of the draw and have been playing a fade with the driver and irons for 2.5 seasons. The consistency has improved a bunch, and had played a huge part in my handicap going from a 10 to 4.5. The draw driver was definitely longer but dang was it tough to keep it in the fairway when the courses got fast and firm in the summer.

[@Cornish_Maid]

Hi Matt, I hit a draw with my irons, and a fade (not deliberately)with my woods. I’ve been finding until today it was my longest clubs I was hitting fades with, but I worked out a method that got me a draw wit my 6 iron, that’s my longest iron. Now all I’ve got to do is work out if I can, or need to hit draws with my 5&7 woods and driver. Great show as always, keep up the great work. Melissa

[@vidurrenjen3556]

Hi Matt, recently started trying to shape the ball. Interesting video

[@TXchadTX]

Good topic. This has been my goal for this year to go back to fading the driver.

[@icsmith8749]

best channel on here

[@ninjafk]

Many years ago, I was very over the top like most people. I worked really hard to develop a draw. Well, I just kept going. Up until recently, my normal shot is always left, sometimes way too much left (as a righty). So over the end of last season into this one, I've been really working on getting a more neutral path and being able to hit a fade. I've been able to do this, but I have little control over it. I'm going to to eventually go back to a draw, but I want the ability to go both ways and know what to do if I start getting too much in to out. The big plus was I was able to hit a purposeful slice around some trees just off the green. That's a shot I've never had before! Hopefully, I'll be able to neutralize everything though. My best drives have always been baby draws, but maybe I'll come out of this with a little cut.

[@brumfiba]

You do such a great job of explaining the swing Matt. Great stuff as always

[@briannguyen1913]

Thank you!

[@joshgrabekcrazygolferguy9302]

Fellow lefty and all I can hit is fades with driver but also my swing is still very much a work in progress. Started taking lessons this year and that alone gotten me a bit tighter with much less slices but on some of the courses I play I would love to hit a draw.....Maybe one day I will figure that out. Love the video Matty as always.

[@jvelez1998]

Congrats on 30k subs Matt. 🙌👍💯 Really enjoying the content since you have gone solo. Keep up the great work. 👍☝️🙌💪

[@codymagnuson3165]

I love the point that you should be able to hit a draw and have the club path to hit a draw before you go back to the neutral path fade like you were hitting!

[@rickcudmore8156]

I have a draw/hook with my driver as a lefty, but I shot my best round last year with a power fade hitting 12 of 14 fairways. I think a driver with fade settings would be beneficial.

[@kevinconnolly754]

same, had my best round last year on a super hard course hitting a power fade all day. Actually used an old Adams driver that has a "flat" setting. and a strip of lead tape on the toe section. Actually used it again today after hitting hooks with regular driver for months. Couldn't get the fade going again but plenty of dead straight drives or tiny little draws, less than 3/4 yards.

[@ralfwiggum34]

It was an eyeopening experience when you showed back in the days with txg that hitting a fade does not require an out-to-in swing path. Since then its just aiming left and hitting hard 8)

[@Dav373]

Lefty with slight in to out, try to hit draws today but have the same thought on switching to fade. My miss is definitely right, but don't block it as much these days.

[@chrischampion727]

When I first started playing I sliced driver like most newbies. Then once I learned how to draw it that’s all I wanted to hit for years and it’s become my stock shape…but I also had the two way duck hook / push fade miss. The last couple of years I’ve really worked on being able to comfortably hit a fade. I work on it a lot on the range but rarely do it on the course unless the tee shot calls for it. The benefit has been it’s neutralized my path quite a bit and my natural hook has become a soft draw that falls a few yards to the left when I’m swinging it well and my “miss” is a straight little push.

[@trebledawson]

Been doing some swing tweaks. I always used to hit a draw, but a fade has fallen out of the swing changes. I don't mind it, but something that I wish you went over was what to do when your "fade" turns into more of a "slice". I'm pretty happy with the fade when it's just a little baby fade, but occasionally it'll really slice off and put me in trouble. Your miss here appeared to be a straight pull, which makes sense for a closed face, but talking about what to do for an excessively open face would also be helpful, I think.

[@adrianramsdell8441]

Loving this thought. Im a single digit handicap and have really been struggling with the hook miss this spring. May work this swing thought in on the range and check out the results.

[@OwenAbkes]

I naturally fade/slice. I just picked up golf fairly seriously again last year after getting pretty burnt out in high school about 10 years ago. I'm working on all shot shapes but primarily hitting intentional draws. Mentally, I figure, if I can hit a slight draw on purpose, that is "more control" than hitting a fade on accident.

[@JLNHB]

Very interesting! Thank you.

[@shawnsmith1439]

Good thoughts Matt👍 For me as a fellow lefty, the fade is a product of avoiding the dreaded right hook. A low snapper is unlikely to get stopped by the foliage of trees. By the time it reaches tree line the trunk is the only thing it can hit. A one foot wide trunk is less likely to help me.

[@olafforkbeard4782]

I’ve always wondered about this! Fantastic idea for a video

[@chrisjackson1266]

I had a problem with slicing when I first got started in the late 90s, just messing around with friends. Then I didn't play at all for ~20 years. When I started back up, there was a wealth of content on KZbin, and I was really focused on not slicing. I don't have a slice problem, but I find myself hitting hooks and launching low with long clubs... .Especially 5W,. I've been thinking a fade is the way to go. Having said all that, it's entirely possible that I'm not ready to be monkeying with this stuff, especially if I have some larger, more basic issues.

[@andrewnicholls7720]

Stock shot is a draw with a tendency to get a long way in to out, hitting some nasty hooks at times. I don’t mind the draw but I’m working on getting my path closer to neutral so that I can work it both ways. Same with irons, it’s too hard trying to hit the ball straight so I try and see a shape one way or another.

[@markcook4693]

I practice both but tend to be in a bit more control of the draw.

[@SamScicluna]

Switched to a fade middle of last year. Has improved driver fairway accuracy from 30%ish to 50%ish Also got into ventus black after a fitting and it has been instrumental in improving consistency with the big stick. The ability to shape a ball how you’d like it, comes from the confidence in having the right shaft for your swing imo

[@VoodooZ]

Would have been nice to see the face-to-path data but love that stuff (since I got myself an entry level LM I like seeing functional examples.)

[@phoward0032]

I’m just like you….played a draw for years…can hit 300-310 bombs…but at least 1 time a round I would turn one over and it’d snap hook and run OB or get me in serious trouble. I switched to playing a fade…and will never look back. Waaaaaay more consistent…and now when I do have an opportunity to play a draw…I usually will hit a good one due to the fade swing I have engrained which I feel helps me reduce me hooking it

[@stuartholmes6262]

As a former serial slicer I would kill for a draw shape as my default. If I don't see so much as a tiny fade all round then I'm happy. For us shorter hitters a draw on par 4s and 5s is preferable as well because of the extra run.

[@Gnarley69]

I can hit every shot shape with my driver...just not sure which one on any given shot. Have been working on mechanics and sequence over winter and will put it to the test once my course opens in two weeks.

[@justinstettner8752]

Seems easier to draw the driver and long irons but fade the short irons and wedges. I think the club length plays a big factor for myself.

[@ryang1910]

I have lost more golf balls in the last couple seasons. I struggle with a hook. I literally just decided 3 weeks ago, I’m going to focus on fade. I know my miss better. It has been easier to control. My ideal shot is straight that falls to the right at the end. Hooks gave me a two way miss. Block or hook

[@elmatador7528]

Thanks Matt 👍🏻

[@bigwill6974]

I’m a fader. I will hit draws from time to time; I like to be able to do both, but the fade is my bread and butter. What I really need is to get fit for a driver that’ll knock the spin off my cut so I don’t have to hit a hook to get decent launch numbers.

[@robguenther1648]

I primarily hit a draw but at times it drifts into uncontrollable hook territory. I'd love to learn to hit a fade, not to use it all the time, but use it as a tool to keep me from getting g too in to out and flippy with my hands and keep the draw from developing into a hook.

[@kbax25]

I used to have a slice with driver, but when I fixed it with a slight draw, now all my clubs draw and my miss is a pull draw/hook for irons. Not Good! Ill be experimenting with a fade for sure.

[@russellambrosini5344]

I am fortunate enough to be able to hit the ball in both directions but I do so with a fade bias driver with a neutral or draw bias setup I find it very hard to fade the ball my biggest struggle is the high draw I absolutely admire people who can hit One no matter the skill level

[@kevinconnolly754]

😂😂 my stock shot is the high draw and i hate it, I'd swap it any day for a weak lowish fade

[@kevinconnolly754]

near every shot for me is a draw or overdraw, some days depending on the course I'll get a nice fade away all day and play really well, i do find it near impossible to fade most weeks though

[@jwilder2251]

My natural shape is a draw, and I rely on it. Couldn’t hit a fade to save my life, and I’m not good enough to start trying now! But it would be a nice shot to have in the bag

[@DanTheMan1979]

I'm interested what your tips are for someone who would use this shot rarely, but need it on specific holes. I currently draw the ball and am happy with the accuracy of my drives, but a few holes per round I face a dog leg right and could really use the fade. If I played tomorrow I would hit 4 wood or 3 hybrid off the tee on these holes to avoid the trouble, but that makes my approach shots 20-50 yards longer than it needs to be. Any suggestions on conjuring this shot up after an hour of hitting stock draws?

[@ianshepherd6476]

Draw with irons and wedges, fade with driver and 3 wood. I just feel so much more in control of a draw in the wind with irons.

[@mvansb23]

For most people that get to the point where they can hit both shapes - it’s a matter of just finding out which one you are better at controlling. For whatever reason, most good golfers can control a fade better than they can control a driver. And technology has almost entirely eliminated the spin/distance penalty that used to make some players shy away from the fade. For me, hating the slice I once had and working so dam hard eliminating it means I’ll never enjoy seeing anything go left to right again (unless it’s a lefty hitting bombs :)).

[@alexchoi2060]

I struggle with whether to go with my stock shot (slight fade) when the shot calls for a draw due to wind, dogleg, slope of fairway. If I try to hit a draw, I might push it instead, which is further right than my fade.

[@marceldubois5073]

I’m a fader of the ball….my goal is to be as neutral as I can be with my path….usually around2* out to in with a slightly open face to path!…BTW, I’m a southpaw like yourself!🇨🇦

[@fruityone4233]

Struggling to control the fade at the moment. When it's controlled it's lovely but it can become a slice to easily. I find the controlled draw a little more bankable

[@jmeyer5able]

When I need to hit a fairway I focus less on trying to shape my shot and more on having a smooth, controlled swing. Turns out that swing naturally produces a fade and I just embrace it 🤷‍♂️

[@spryguy3]

With a fade ball usually seeing lower AOA's would there be any benefit to a lower launching fade biasewd ball in the wind?

[@GolfLiberty]

generally there isn't a huge difference off the driver between most balls, a lot of companies have engineered their tour ball to be low spin off the driver - would always go from the green backwards in choosing a ball

[@mok4026]

Really enjoyed the video. I am normally 5 to 6 in to out. Really looking to neutralize path and reduce the big hook. When I improve my path I sometimes see a pull and I think it’s caused by active hands. Do you have some suggestions on how to make the hands more passive in the swing? Thanks and please keep the great video content coming.

[@GolfLiberty]

the feeling of the hands staying back and having them come through later is one that should help you quite a bit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHqokmCDedxgmNk

[@GolfLiberty]

also have to consider your hands are used to being quite active with the in-out path, it may take some time for them to adjust naturally to being more neutral

[@Dan-nh8nu]

Can you fade going max speed? the old power fade.

[@Linger998r]

Awesome. Looks effortless Matty. Can I ask what you feel at the top of the backswing and where you actually feel the speed in the swing? I’m trying to have a pause at the top and my feel for where my sped increase is at waist high.

[@wallstreetoneil]

My suggestion, and what I try and do as I've become a better golfer is: 1) during range/swing practice, work on the technique to be able to play 5-yard draws with your mid irons, & hybrids, woods & Driver, 2) once you can do this, then work on being able to play an entire round fading every shot. If you can't hit a draw (not hook) with every club, then your technique needs improving - once you can do this, the next level in skill is reducing unnecessary movements further to be able to repeatedly hit soft fades.

[@ForzaOwnz]

Yeah I agree, for most people lessening the game, knowing how to draw is invaluable. Once you have that nailed down then you can slowly adjust back to a face

[@chrisjesaveluk3667]

I hit a fade and am always trying to work on a draw with driver. However I play so much better when I don't bother with the draw and just hit fades on repeat

[@andrewbegg3452]

How you like those new puma shoes matty? I'm fairly indifferent to the brand, but love the sneaker style golf shoes recently.

[@GolfLiberty]

Like the shoes a lot so far 👍

[@Somefatdude]

If the hole calls for it and you can comfortably execute a reasonably good fade on command, sure. For me, my ball speed tends to drop a few mph when I hit my fade instead of my draw, but if the hole asks for a fade, I’m fine playing it. I think it’s because I swing faster coming from the inside and feel freedom to “let it go”. Conversely, my fade is more of a pull fade with the ball position further forward to get the path moving left, and I don’t feel the same freedom to let it go, for fear of hitting the pull draw. Moreover, I have to do the JT preshot toe up takeaway to feel that face open up to my path. Still don’t want to let it go as much as a draw though. By way of example, my 162-ish mph driver may drop to 154 mph, give or take. Same goes for my irons, eg, my 132-ish mph draw 5i will drop to mid/low 120s. But I enjoy trying to work the ball with the design of each hole and where the pin is located. Don’t always execute unfortunately!

[@method341]

Do you have a strong grip?

[@Somefatdude]

@@method341 not particularly. Very slightly with the left, but I wouldn’t call it overly strong or anything. Right hand is not strong.

[@cristhefisch]

What shaft are you using?

[@chrisp7729]

I'm always trying to hit just a straight ball off the tee. Should I be trying to have the ball move one way or the other instead of the straight route?

[@GolfLiberty]

Not necessarily, if you’re hitting it straight and happy with how many fairways you hit keep it going 👍

[@castanddrive2023]

Matt, what is it you're using to keep the tee in place on the mat. I hate searching for my tee indoors. Is it the tee claws? Loving the channel. Thanks.

[@GolfLiberty]

yes tee claw

[@castanddrive2023]

@@GolfLiberty Thanks!!!

[@jjwong3]

My driver shot is like a box of chocolates…. Never know what I’m going to get. Used to draw off the tee , then started working on a fade, now it depends on the day. I just play whatever my shot shape is for the day and pray it stays that way all round.

[@jackzhang1497]

I hit draw off the T, I have the pull issue when I try to hit a fade.

[@drroger98]

My bad habits are dropping the club under plane. Going to fade made my bad shots less out of control

[@romansantos2241]

Hey Matt, I tried over the winter to neutralize my path and start to hit more fades…the result is a very spinny flight (mid 3000s) so as a result I lose a ton of carry…how do you keep the spin so low? Especially if the thought is for your lead shoulder to go down and around? Thanks!

[@GolfLiberty]

Part of it is the driver head choice, Stealth+ is very low spin. Also making sure you strike is good, just above center if possible

[@Somefatdude]

Without changing equipment and further assuming you aren’t putting excessive cut spin on it due to extreme face to path issues or striking it out of the heel or low in the face, I would feel the head travel more UP as you go a little left through the ball. Really getting your AoA more positive will help get your spin down. At least that’s what has helped me. My natural shape is a draw and my spin is where I wanted it, so I didn’t want to change my equipment just to hit a fade, so I experimented and found that exaggerating the UP feeling is key, at least for me. Think of it sorta like the left side of the hula hoop going up and left, if you will.

[@romansantos2241]

@@Somefatdude thanks for this. Totally makes sense. I guess where I struggle is the idea of having your shoulder go down and around as a swing thought…but also swing up and have a positive AoA. My draw swing is fairly neutral (1-3 deg in to out) and I’m in the spin window I want to be. I struggle to do that trying to hit fades.

[@romansantos2241]

@@GolfLiberty I have a 2017 Epic SZ. 8 deg Kai’li X flex. Chose it specifically for lower spin…will continue to work on strike. Love the vids man. So relevant and helpful for all skill levels.

[@ww-oo7ic]

@@romansantos2241 when you change your ball flight if it's affordable get refit. lose/gain significant weight, post injury etc. refit. you can absolutely optimize ball flight when you switch to a fade as I know this from first hand experience. a fade is still hit with an inside out path with a positive AOA the face is just open TO PATH.

[@FGrecoJR]

Don't understand how you can hit a pull fade with an in to out path relative to the target unless you hit the heel

[@zacharymilos392]

"I can talk to a fade but a hook won't listen." I find fading the ball just makes bad shots less bad. The dreaded slow spin over draw is a good player's nightmare.

[@Dan-nh8nu]

30k already. noice

[@oqlthorp]

I'm just happy I hit the ball

[@Real28]

Top 2 prolific players who fade the ball: Jack Nicklaus Tiger Woods I don't need to copy them but let's face it, it worked for them.

[@jen-danlimited8815]

I noticed you didn’t move your feet/alignment much to hit the fade, I thought you had to do this for a fade shot?

[@GolfLiberty]

Might be just the camera angle, I moved them a bit. Doesn’t need to be a ton just looking to change aim by ~10 yards down the fairway

[@merkeva1841]

i like fades because you can turn as hard as you want as long as you can keep the clubface open

[@briannguyen1913]

He said, “ A Fairway finding Drive that gets out there about 300 yards.”

[@kemeys1990]

Sorry, but I didn't understand how you achieved a right to left fade but still had a path of in to out.

[@DaZaj]

For ME, moving towards a cut off the tee completely changed my driving for the better. Be gone hook demon!

[@MXJEFF94]

A fade is very controlable BUT it's not about distance. If you want ultimate distance from a driver then you need to hit a draw to get that top spin- rollout.

[@cheeseballs1999]

In to out fade yes for sure. Out to in fade absolutely not.

[@jeremylonsdale3350]

Whatever shape that let's you swing powerfully thru the ball with the most confidence is your best bet. We should all stop looking to the PGA for guidance. YOU ARE NOT THAT GOOD AND NEITHER AM I. They are the best golf athletes in the world. When is the last time you watched the Olympics and thought " You know what I should run the 100m in under 10 seconds too. Because that would be better than 25 seconds like I do at the moment " 😳🤛