How to Hit a Power Fade - Power Golf Swing Tips

Power a Fade to Keep Ball in Play, Fade to Control a Golf Ball

Jul 9, 2009 John Hoskison

Drive straight with a golf power fade to hit more fairways and greens. Hit down to hit a power fade for a controlled left to right spin. Hit crisp shots with a fade.

Most tour professionals gravitate towards hitting a power fade during their careers as it is traditionally easier to control than a draw shot. Under pressure the first skill to desert a golfer is the ability to control the hands.

Hitting an accurate draw shot requires the hands to release the club and can easily be over done, resulting in a destructive hook that runs when it hit the ground. A power fade requires less hand action though the shot and the ball runs less. Learn to control the ball better by hitting a power fade on the golf course.

Difference Between Normal Fade and Power Fade

• The difference between a normal fade and a power fade is the more positive downward blow onto the ball when hitting a power fade. This drives the ball forward on a lower more penetrating flight, instead of letting the ball rise uncontrollably into the air.
• The first professional to make the power fade shot popular was Ben Hogan. In 1953 Hogan came to Britain to play in the British Open at Carnoostie. His ability to hammer down onto the ball, for a low trajectory on the windy seaside course, gave him a distance advantage over the field and he won the event easily.
• Early in his career Nicklaus, whose golf game was influenced enormously by Hogan, abandoned his draw flight and Tiger Woods now prefers to fade the ball.

Adjustments to Stance to Hit a Power Fade

• The most important aspect of a power fade stance is the aim. Shoulders hips and feet must be pointing slightly left of target. This guarantees a swing path that travels left of target at impact.

• The ability to hammer down onto the ball for a low power flight comes from a tight short backswing. A longer swing introduces too much hand action, which will hit the ball high. Restrict the backswing from becoming too long by gripping firmly and resisting the turn on the backswing with the right leg.

• On the downswing the body must drive towards the target. If the body weight gets stuck on the back foot the hands will flick at the ball. Drive positively onto the front foot even if you lose your balance at first.

• At impact make sure the body continues to turn out of the way. On a draw shot the body stops and the hands release the club. For a power fade the body turns through the ball, which means the hands do not release the club past the body. The club is held open as the golfer drives down and through the shot.

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Drive the Body Open for Power Fade