Driver Shot Shape? Only Better Players please answer?

Question

I'm 15 years old and a 8 handicap. I'm wondering about what shot shape with the driver will help me most. Last year I played a draw/straight shot with the driver. The problem is that when I don't have my A-game I tend to lose it hard left, with hooks and pull-hooks. I've been considering working with my coach to create a power fade off the tee. I know Tiger switched to hitting power fades with Hank Haney and his driving improved a lot. I'd like to know what kind of shot you play off the tee, and if you think it would be a good idea to work on a power fade. I'm willing to get worse to get better, it's still early in the season.

My iron game is a strong part of my game, and I usually hit it straight or with a draw. I kind of have the same problem sometimes though, losing it left.

If you could tell me your handicap, that would be great. !

10 points to the best answer.

Answer 1

A power fade is and exellent shot to be able to hit regardless of wether or not it becomes your primary tee shot. Check out the link i put up here. If it doesn't come up go to http://www.golflink.com/tipsvideos/tip.a... and click on "View the Complete tip" button. But do understand, Tiger Woods switched to hitting the power fade because he lost balls leftways and rightways and slantways and if it was possible he would have lost drives behind himself. NOT just consistenly one direction like you have stated in your question. So if you consistenly lose drives left, you might just want to tweak the natural shot you play. Wether good or bad it IS consistent. But if I was you however, I would just get three jumbo buckets of balls and experiment on the driving range for a few hours.

http://www.golflink.com/tipsvideos/viewt...

Answer 2

I play a soft draw. In general, a high draw will give a player more distance, with plenty of carry and more roll out. Remember, a draw shot follows the natural motion of the swing, and is created by allowing the club to induce it's natural spin. To create a fade, you must induce spin that is opposite of the natural tendencies of a golf swing.

The biggest negative about a draw is that the bad shots tend to be worse than the bad shots if you're playing a fade. A draw player can snap hook it which not only send the ball to the left more than intended, but puts a ton of spin on the ball so it will roll further into the woods. A draw player can also block the ball to the right, or in some cases even slice it. If that happens, you are not only sending the ball way out to the right, but it's going way into the boonies since you were likely aiming for the exact opposite shot shape.

The biggest positive about a fade is that the bad shots still go in the same general direction as the good shots. You'll often hear the top players say they can "block out the left side of the golf course" when playing a fade with the driver. This is because the bad shot when playing a fade is usually just a slice. So the ball just goes more right, which usually would not get a player in nearly as much trouble as if they had been playing a draw and ending up blocking the ball to the right.

Also, keep in mind that a well struck fade usually has very little roll out. This is a positive for pros since they play on courses with tight fairways and punishing rough, but is not great for the typical amatuer who is struggling to create distance.

At the end of the day it's really up to the individual's skills and preferences. There are plenty of great players who draw the ball with their driver. You should discuss with your coach what would be better for your style of play. If your typical bad shot is a pull hook, I'd say you could probably just stick with the draw and hone it a little better, then adjusting your course management knowing that your bad shot is a hook. If you're almost never blocking the ball to the right, then you can eliminate the right side of the course much like Jack or the other great fade players would eliminate the left side.

Answer 3

i'd go with the shot your most comfortable with. i used to hit a nice draw and then had the same problem as yourself- the hook/ snap hook. i now have more of a fade as a consequence of overcompensating for the hook. try what u like and what u can do easiest. like u said, its early in the season.

Answer 4

With a draw, you'll tend to lose distance but gain in accuracy. Jack Nicklaus hit a power fade. Tiger hits a power fade. That's good enough for me. My natural shot is a fade, so I don't fight it.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter....just make sure that you eliminate 1 side of the course.  That's what the pros do.  :)

Answer 6

Fade's usually carry farther and draws usually run out more. The key here is picking one shape, trusting it, and knowing you can take one side out of play. Vijay's driver is something like 4* open with his right hand built up to completely take out the left side. So whichever shape you feel more comfortable with is best. 5 hdcp

Answer 7

you should hit whatever shot fits your eye.  before i left to go to college my coach and i work hard on being able to hit a draw because it is the better shot and better for longer courses, etc.  in your case, and on your course it sounds like i would hit a fade.  the positive about hitting a fade is when you miss-hit it is typically a milder miss than a draw miss (which you know about first hand).  again you need to hit was is fitting to the eye.