Shaping shots: draw and fade

Setup

1. One hitting line, every station a clear gap from the next. Nobody goes forward of the line until the coach calls the range clear.
2. Each player picks a target flag with open space either side, and lays an alignment stick on the ground along the line of the feet.
3. Warm up and hit a few stock shots first. Start with a mid iron; the driver comes later.

How it runs

1. The coach explains the flight for a right-handed golfer: the ball starts mostly where the face points, then curves away from the path. Face slightly closed to the path curves it left (a draw); face open to the path curves it right (a fade).
2. Draw: turn the stick and the body a little right of the flag, point the face at the flag, and swing along the body line. Five balls: start right of the flag, curve back towards it.
3. Fade: turn the stick and body a little left of the flag, face at the flag, swing along the body line. Five balls: start left, drift back.
4. Partner calls: before each ball a partner or the coach calls draw or fade. A point for the right curve finishing near the flag line; ten balls, then swap.
5. If both iron shapes are reliable, finish with three of each shape with the driver off a tee.

Coaching points

• Change the setup, not the swing: the body line sets the path, then the face is set to the target.
• Keep the changes small. A face a little closed or open to the path is plenty.
• Watch where the ball starts as well as where it bends: the start line mostly tells you about the face.
• Left-handed golfers mirror everything: their draw curves right and their fade curves left.
• Commit to a full, balanced finish; a hesitant swing rarely curves the way it was planned.

Common mistakes

• Flipping or holding off the hands at impact to force the curve.
• Lining the face up with the body as well, so face and path match and the ball flies straight.
• Big setup changes that turn a gentle draw into a hook or a fade into a slice.
• Watching the curve and forgetting the target.