I hope you enjoy this Month golf tips, this month I am going to explain how to shape your shots for a draw and a fade.
Let’s start with the fade shot, this is a shot that starts slightly left of the target and then curls back online towards the target. This shape of shot tends to fly higher and has less role, there are a few techniques to hit a fade, and I am explaining the simplest way of achieving a fade for an average golfer. It is important to understand that the changes are built around your set-up, and listed below are the changes to make.
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 1 and 2.
• Point the clubface at the target or where you would like the ball to finish.
• Position the ball forward slightly.
• Aim your body left (open) to where you would like to start the ball, it’s important to set your grip to your body position, not the clubface. • Swing along your body line.
• Try and let your body and clubface remain passive through impact.
Now let’s move to the draw shot, this shot will start right of the target and curl left towards your target – remember that this shot will fly lower and have more roll.
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Pic 3 and 4.
• Point the clubface at the target or where you would like the ball to start.
• Position the ball slightly back in your stance.
• Aim your body right (closed) to where to would like to start the ball, important to set your grip to your body not the clubface.
• Swing along your body line.
• Try and feel your arms and hands overtake your body on the downswing.
Shaping shots at will is not easy and you need to practise this at the range. Some useful advice you find is that the more loft you have, the ball will have less curvature and you need to allow for this ie. a driver will spin sideways more, and a SW will have much less and its flight will be straighter.
THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHT
Some other news from the Academy is that I am hoping to introduce some Junior summer camps over the school holidays – this will be two to three days of coaching and a day on the golf course, so please keep an eye on the notice board at the driving range and notice board outside the pro shop for further details. The JDP has been very successful and I plan to increase the number of hours from 5 to 8 to help relieve the long waiting list. On a personal note its great that the JDP has proven to be a great success and many of the Juniors are now starting to pass their golf test and looking forward to playing Junior competitions and participate in next year’s Junior Championship.
The Lady Captain and committee have organised some group lessons that cover the short game, this has also been a success and has been well attended.
