4/13/23
Written By Joe Saia
Hitting draws with your irons and fades with your driver is pretty common for players and it is definitely not a problem. But some players are confused as to why this occurs because they are not actively trying to shape those shots a certain way, it just happens automatically. The simple answer to this question is ball position. Let me explain in further detail and explain to you how you can apply this knowledge to improve your own game.
In order for you to fully understand why you draw your irons and fade your driver you need to understand the relationship between ball position and club path. The club path is the direction the club is moving in at the moment of impact. The more your club path is in to out or traveling to the right at impact, the more you have the potential to hit a draw for a right handed player. The more your club path is out to in or traveling to the left at impact, the more you have the potential to hit a fade for a right handed player.
Now lets talk about how ball position can effect club path. The golf club moves in an arc motion at the bottom of the swing. The middle of the arc is typically located in the middle of your stance. If you move the ball position back in your stance then you are more likely to strike the ball as the club is still working in to out on the arc. If you move the ball position forward in your stance then you are more likely to strike the ball as the club is moving out to in on the swing arc. That is how ball position can effect your club path.
The reason why you are more likely to draw your iron shots is because you will typically play the ball slightly back in your stance for shorter irons. Playing the ball slightly back in your stance will most likely cause the club to strike the ball as it is moving in to out on the swing arc. So if your club face is in the right position you will hit draws.
The reason why you hit fades with your driver is because you will typically play the ball forward in your stance when you hit a driver. This type of a ball position gives you the best chance at hitting up on the golf ball. When the ball position is forward in your stance you are more likely to strike the ball as the club is traveling out to in on the swing arc. This motion will produce a fade when hitting a driver if the club face is in the right position.
The easiest way to shape your shots is to alter your ball position based on the type of shot you want to hit. It allows you to hit draws or fades without having to change too much in your swing. If you want to hit a fade just move the ball position forward in your stance and feel the club head swing left after impact. If you want to hit a draw move the ball position back in your stance and feel the club head swing right after impact. This strategy will help you curve your golf shots if your club face is in the right position.
Ball position can also work as a fix if you are struggling with your club path. Changing the ball position is probably the quickest way to alter your club path. If you are struggling with a slice then move the ball position further back in your stance and swing the club head right after impact while making sure the club face turns over. If you are struggling with a hook then move the ball position forward in your stance and feel the club head swing left after impact while making sure the club face doesn’t get too closed.
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