How to Hit a Controlled Fade on Purpose

What is a Controlled Fade (and Why Use It?)

A controlled fade is one of the most reliable and useful shots in golf—especially when you’re looking for consistency off the tee or need to maneuver around obstacles on the course.

In simple terms, a fade is a shot that starts left of your target (for a right-handed golfer) and gently curves back to the right. Unlike a slice—which is a sharp, often unintentional curve—a fade is a deliberate, soft left-to-right ball flight that gives you control and precision.

Why learn to hit a fade on purpose?

Because sometimes, playing a straight shot or a draw isn’t ideal. A controlled fade helps you:

• Keep the ball in play off the tee

• Attack tucked right-side pin placements

• Handle dogleg right fairways with ease

• Reduce roll-out on firm greens

Many top tour players, including Jack Nicklaus and Dustin Johnson, built their entire game around a fade. It’s reliable, repeatable, and often easier to control under pressure than a draw.

In this article, we’ll break down the fundamentals of hitting a fade, step-by-step technique, common mistakes to avoid, drills to help you practice, and tips on when to use this shot to lower your scores.

2. Key Fundamentals for a Fade

Before you can consistently hit a controlled fade, it’s crucial to understand the physics of ball flight and how small setup changes influence your shot shape.

Clubface vs. Swing Path

The primary rule of ball flight: the clubface controls the starting direction, and the swing path controls the curvature.

To hit a fade:

• Your clubface should be slightly open to the swing path (but still pointing left of the target).

• Your swing path should travel left of both your clubface and target line.

This creates the left-to-right spin that defines a fade.

Ball Position

Slightly forward in your stance (just ahead of center for irons or off your left heel for a driver) promotes a more out-to-in swing path, encouraging the fade shape.

Stance and Alignment

• Feet, hips, and shoulders should be aligned slightly left of your intended target.

• Your clubface should aim slightly right of your body line but left of the final target.

This setup allows your swing to travel left while the clubface delivers a glancing blow to create spin.

Grip Pressure and Neutral Grip

Avoid an overly strong grip, which can close the clubface through impact. Use a neutral grip and maintain light grip pressure to allow the clubface to stay open relative to the path.

3. Step-by-Step Technique to Hit a Fade

Now that you understand the fundamentals, let’s walk through how to hit a controlled fade step by step.

1. Set Up Aimed Left of Your Target

Begin by aiming your feet, hips, and shoulders slightly left of your intended target line. This creates the necessary out-to-in swing path. Think of it like setting up to hit slightly left of where you want the ball to finish.

2. Open the Clubface Slightly

Next, open the clubface slightly so that it points just right of your body line—but still left of the final target. This ensures that the ball starts left and curves back to the right, rather than slicing wildly.

Tip: Don’t open the face too much or you risk a weak, high right shot.

3. Swing Along Your Body Line

Your swing path should follow the line of your body—left of the target. Don’t try to manipulate the club during the swing. Just swing naturally along your alignment and let the face-path difference do the work.

4. Focus on a Smooth, Full Finish

Don’t decelerate or cut off your follow-through. A fade is not a soft bunt—it’s a full, committed swing with a slightly different path. Finish high and left with good balance to ensure you’re swinging through the shot and not guiding it.

4. Common Mistakes When Trying to Fade the Ball

When golfers try to hit a fade, they often overcorrect or misunderstand the mechanics—leading to poor results. Here are the most common errors to watch out for:

1. Opening the Clubface Too Much

One of the biggest mistakes is overdoing the open face. If the face points too far right of your swing path, you’ll hit a high, weak slice that floats and misses the target badly.

✅ Fix: Make sure the clubface is only slightly open to the swing path—not wide open.

2. Aiming Everything Right

Some players try to hit a fade by simply aiming their entire setup to the right. This causes the swing path and face to match, often leading to a straight push or block.

✅ Fix: Always aim your body left of the target while keeping the clubface open to that line (but still left of your intended finish point).

3. Cutting Across Too Hard

An exaggerated over-the-top move can produce a glancing blow with too much sidespin, resulting in a low pull-slice that lacks distance and control.

✅ Fix: Focus on swinging along your body line—not across it. Smooth tempo and connection beat forced manipulation.

4. Decelerating or Guiding the Club

Trying to guide the ball or “steer” the fade causes poor contact and inconsistent results. It’s a swing—not a slap.

✅ Fix: Commit to a full finish with proper tempo. Trust the setup to produce the fade—don’t try to create it mid-swing.

5. Drills to Practice a Controlled Fade

To make the fade a reliable part of your game, you need to train both your mechanics and your confidence. These drills will help you feel the correct swing path and face alignment while developing consistency.

1. Alignment Stick Fade Drill

Place an alignment stick on the ground pointed just left of your target (body line). Place your ball slightly forward in your stance and set your clubface just right of the stick. Then, swing along the alignment stick’s direction.

✅ Purpose: Trains proper setup—left swing path and slightly open face.

2. Fade-Only Range Session

Dedicate a full range session to hitting only fades. Use different clubs (start with mid-irons) and work on getting the ball to start left and curve gently right every time.

✅ Tip: Start with larger curves and work toward subtle, consistent fades.

3. Impact Tape or Face Spray

Apply face tape or foot spray to your club to monitor impact location. A centered strike with the right path/face combo is the goal. Too much heel or toe contact can throw off your fade shape.

✅ Bonus: Pair this with slow-motion video to review swing path and face angles.

4. Half-Swing Fade Drill

Make 50–75% swings while exaggerating the body alignment and swing path. This drill slows things down so you can feel the fade mechanics before going full speed.

✅ Goal: Consistent ball starting left and curving right—even with short swings.

6. How to Shape a Fade With Different Clubs

Not all fades are created equal—your club choice matters. Understanding how to adjust your setup and swing based on the club in your hands will make your fade more predictable.

Driver Fade

With the driver, the ball sits on a tee and the clubface has minimal loft. This means:

• A fade tends to carry farther and curve more.

• Spin is lower, so control comes from swing path and face angle.

Tips:

• Tee the ball slightly lower than for a draw to reduce launch and curve.

• Move the ball slightly forward in your stance.

• Focus on a shallow, sweeping swing—not a chop.

Iron Fade

With irons, the loft naturally adds spin, so fades are easier to control.

• The ball will typically curve less than with a driver.

• Launch is lower, with more control on landing.

Tips:

• Play the ball just forward of center.

• Use the same setup: open face, swing left.

• Focus on clean contact and don’t exaggerate the face angle.

Wedge Fade

Fading wedges is a finesse skill often used around the greens or on short approaches to tight pins.

Tips:

• Open the face slightly and swing along your body line.

• Keep your lower body quiet and tempo smooth.

• Expect more spin and a higher launch with softer landings.

7. When to Use the Fade on the Golf Course

Knowing how to hit a fade is one thing. Knowing when to use it is what makes it a true scoring weapon. Here are some of the best times to put your fade into play:

1. Dogleg Right Tee Shots

A fade naturally fits the shape of a dogleg right, allowing you to cut the corner without risking a draw that runs through the fairway.

✅ Bonus: With the driver, a fade also lands softer and rolls less, helping with tight landing zones.

2. Right-Side Pin Locations

Fading the ball into a right pin allows the ball to land softer and work toward the flag, rather than away from it. You gain more control and scoring opportunities.

3. Firm Greens or Fast Fairways

When you’re worried about the ball running out too far, a fade’s higher launch and softer spin will stop the ball quicker—especially useful on approach shots.

4. Wind Conditions

If the wind is coming left to right, a fade can ride the breeze and cover more ground. It also helps minimize the effect of crosswinds when played intentionally.

5. Trouble Left

If there’s hazard, OB, or thick rough on the left side, shaping a fade lets you start the ball away from danger and let it curve back to safety.

8. Final Thoughts: Make the Fade a Go-To Shot

Learning how to hit a controlled fade on purpose gives you a major advantage over most amateur golfers. It’s a shot that not only adds versatility to your game but also reduces big misses—especially when pressure is on.

While many golfers chase the draw for its distance and aesthetic appeal, the fade is often:

• Easier to control

• More repeatable under pressure

• Better suited for modern equipment and firm conditions

From tee shots that find more fairways to approach shots that hold tight pin locations, the fade belongs in every golfer’s toolkit.

Don’t overcomplicate it—use simple setup adjustments, commit to your body line, and trust the mechanics you’ve built through practice. With consistent reps and feedback, your fade will evolve from a backup plan into a go-to weapon.