Why Hit a Fade

The fade is a powerful golf shot that can leave the ball close to the hole. Most people who play golf (even professionals) hit a natural fade.

The fade is a high flying shot that travels from left to right and typically has plenty of backspin on it to hold a green upon landing. Because of the backspin (or even left to right side spin), a fade will tend to bite or check-up relatively close to where it lands.

In contrast to hitting a draw, a fade is beneficial when the flag is tucked deep right on the green. When playing consistent golf, it is imperative to control misses. Instead of taking a direct aim at a flag tucked back and on the right of a green, a safer play is to aim more towards the center of the green and fade it by allowing it to start out left of the intended target or 'towards the center of the green' and let it curve to the right midflight toward the flag.

If, in this scenario, the ball is not imparted with sufficient left to right spin, the miss is likely to be in the middle of the green leaving a long approach putt for birdie (or eagle) which is a better alternative to aiming at the flag and missing right. A likely next play from hitting too far right is short siding yourself with a difficult pitch shot from heavy rough or a sand bunker. -bogey comes into play.

Fades, especially power fades, are useful while playing a dogleg right. Being able to shape the ball left to right to hold the fairway is important when trying to score low.

A note about fades. Fades tend to fly 10-20 yards shorter than the same shot that is setup to be hit straight. A fade travels a shorter distance due to the fact that the clubface approaches the ball in an open position relative to setup which causes the fade to travel much high and with much more backspin. When attempting a fade, take at least one more club than normal to compensate for the loss of distance.