How to Hit a Draw vs Fade In Golf
Understanding your ball flight – and the data that drives it – is essential for improving your game. Whether you’re curving the ball from right-to-left for a Draw or left-to-right for a Fade, mastering the relationship between Club Path, Face to Path, and Face to Target will help you take control of your shot shape.
With FlightScope’s Pro Package data, included as standard with X3C and available for Mevo Gen2 and Mevo+, you can directly measure these parameters in real time. This feedback gives you a precise look at what’s really happening through impact.
Draw vs Fade: What’s the Difference?
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A Draw (for right-handed golfers) curves from right to left and typically produces more roll and distance.
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A Fade curves from left to right and generally lands softer and offers more control.
The difference between these two shot shapes comes down to how your Club Path and Club Face are aligned at impact.
The Key Data Parameters Behind Shot Shape
There are three crucial data parameters, displayed in degrees left (L) or right (R), that determine how your ball curves in the air:
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Club Path: The horizontal direction the clubhead is moving at impact (right or left of the target line).
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Face to Path: The direction the clubface is pointing at impact relative to your club path.
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Face to Target: The direction of the clubface relative to the radar’s target line.
These parameters are part of what’s known as the D-Plane, which defines your ball flight pattern and shot shape.
How to Hit a Draw
A draw starts right of the target and curves back to the left (for a right-handed golfer).
To hit a consistent draw, you’ll need:
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Club Path: Out to the right (e.g. 4.2R)
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Face to Path: Slightly left of your club path (e.g. 2.1L)
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Face to Target: Slightly open (e.g. 1.0R)
This means that your clubface is slightly open to the target line but closed relative to your club path – causing the ball to start right and curve back to the center.
Quick Tips to Hit a Draw:
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Aim your feet slightly right of the target line.
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Keep your clubface pointing just right of the target (but left of your feet line/intended swing path).
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Focus on swinging along your feet line (or out to the right).
How to Hit a Fade
A fade starts left of the target and curves back to the right (for a right-handed golfer).
To hit a reliable fade, you’ll need:
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Club Path: To the left (e.g. 3.2L)
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Face to Path: Slightly right of your club path (e.g. 1.9R)
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Face to Target: Slightly closed (e.g. 1.0L)
This means that your clubface is slightly closed to the target line but open relative to your club path – causing the ball to start left and curve back to the center.
Quick Tips to Hit a Fade:
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Align your feet slightly left of the target.
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Keep your clubface pointing just left of the target (but right of your feet line/intended swing path).
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Focus on swinging along your feet line (or swinging left).
Using FlightScope to Refine Your Shot Shape
With the Pro Package’s D-Plane data – including Club Path, Face to Path, and Face to Target – you can instantly see why your ball curved the way it did.
Experiment with different path and face combinations using your FlightScope to discover what produces your ideal shot shape. Over time, you’ll gain the ability to control your draw or fade with consistency and confidence.
