Do you shape your shots?

[RickyBobby_PR]

Something I see in posts periodically when people are discussing equipment or potential equipment or improving their game includes a comment of some sort about shaping shots. Whether that is are you looking to shape when discussing what type of equipment to get or the perception that to be better st golf one has to be able to shape shots.

I’m curious how many of the spies here shape shots (only talking draw or fades and not up/down) and your thoughts about why you do or don’t?

 

 

[RickyBobby_PR]

I don’t try to shape nearly as much as I used to try. I prefer a fade with long clubs and a relatively straight ball with scoring clubs.

I like having a stock and something I can rely on.  

[DaveP043]

I hit a little draw almost all the time.  I can hit a fade in an emergency, but that's it.  Most players, including me, aren't skilled enough to move the ball both directions with equal consistency.  I'd rather hit my most consistent shot every single time.

[fixyurdivot]

Oh yea, I shape them.   I'm pretty good at accentuating a fade when needed, not as good at drawing the ball. The draws just tend to be more than desired.  Also, my ability to execute these shots is better with mid to long irons. 

[cnosil]

I try to play a standard ball flight on normal shots. Depending on the day, that could be a cut or a draw. I only try to intentionally work the ball if I am really out of position and need to go around trees. I can hit a draw much easier than a cut even on days when the ball is tailing to the right.

[RickyBobby_PR]

33 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Oh yea, I shape them.   I'm pretty good at accentuating a fade when needed, not as good at drawing the ball. The draws just tend to be more than desired.  Also, my ability to execute these shots is better with mid to long irons. 

This is why I stopped trying to play a draw and it’s why a lot of pros like the fade. The fade is more predictable in the end results. Like Trevino said you can talk to a fade but a draw will never listen. 

Purely my opinion the chase to hit a draw is the downfall of many amateurs for the resdons you mention of more draw than desired. 

[TR1PTIK]

1 hour ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Something I see in posts periodically when people are discussing equipment or potential equipment or improving their game includes a comment of some sort about shaping shots. Whether that is are you looking to shape when discussing what type of equipment to get or the perception that to be better st golf one has to be able to shape shots.

I’m curious how many of the spies here shape shots (only talking draw or fades and not up/down) and your thoughts about why you do or don’t?

 

 

I struggle to fade the ball on command, but I have learned to draw and hook the ball to help me when I'm in trouble. I'm usually playing this shot when I get out of position and have to play around a tree or some other obstruction. So yes, I can and do shape it, but most of the time I'm playing a stock shot and save that maneuver for special occasions. 

[Shankster]

Yes. Will be working on a stock shot this year. I like the fade flight as standard, but I am going to have to change my swing pretty drastically this year to keep from hurting my shoulder again.

So we’ll see what April brings as far as ball flight goes.

[revkev]

I hit a little draw almost all the time.  I can hit a fade in an emergency, but that's it.  Most players, including me, aren't skilled enough to move the ball both directions with equal consistency.  I'd rather hit my most consistent shot every single time.

This is me exactly - I don’t have the time or consistency to “work” the ball. I hit a draw, as do most (not all) better amateurs (guys who do it for a living are in a totally different category - we are not to be confused with them). I can flight the ball down or up if need be also.

However it should be noted that most touring pros have a preference but can hit other shots on demand. Nicklaus preferred a fade and stuck with his strength actually reworking his game to hit primarily draw at Augusta and then working to put the fade back in for the US Open. I loved Nicklaus so of course wanted to hit fade as a kid until I realized that the draw was my shot.

Regardless of what your shot is I personally believe that the wisest use of your time would be to strengthen that strength rather than chasing something else. That comes from experience.

Plaid will weigh in at some point. He has a very strong opinion on this topic.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[GregB135]

When it comes to assessing equipment, the Super-Game-Improvement category, and most of the Game-improvement category are engineered/designed to reduce side spin. For the better player who wants/is able to purposely generate side spin, those clubs don't work as well.

Most of us have a general shot shape anyway, whether it be a draw or fade. Purposely moving the ball the other way without a lot of practice at it, can be a challenge (or in most cases an accident). 

The shaped shot I am best at is the punch draw/hook. If the recovery shot requires something else, I'm usually better off just hitting something that gets the ball back into play or on the line of the hole.

[fixyurdivot]

40 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

This is why I stopped trying to play a draw and it’s why a lot of pros like the fade. The fade is more predictable in the end results. Like Trevino said you can talk to a fade but a draw will never listen. 

Purely my opinion the chase to hit a draw is the downfall of many amateurs for the resdons you mention of more draw than desired. 

Trevino ism's are great aren't they.  My favorite being; "two things that have short futures are dog's that chase cars and pro golfers who make pars". 

 

[GB13]

My stock shot is a little fade. I can have that shot pretty much every time. I can also hit crazy rescue hooks and slices, but really struggle with that "baby draw". I don't know why but my swing just doesn't set up for a little draw. If I can hit my little fade every time, I'm happy. 

[TSauer]

I can hit everything from baby fades to high draws to hooking stingers... never on purpose though. 

[yungkory]

When I'm in the trees and I'm forced to try to go around, or keep it low, then I shape it with decent success. Most times I'm playing a 5 yard draw, but if I'm swinging a certain way on a given day, I'll play my miss at the time.

[PING Apologist #9]

I am simply not equipped with the skill set to produce a "purposeful" shot shape as yet. My goal is to hit has straight as possible in most situations, but my "natural" shot tends to be a fade. When a good iron strike is made, I've actually had better golfers describe it as a "nice little cut". A rare occasion, but one I'm working on...

[Just another lefty]

1 hour ago, Middler said:

I'd think you'd have to correlate the replies with handicaps. I'd love to deliberately shape the ball, but I've never been able to do it consistently. I usually hit just a little right of my setup (subtle fade or subtle push straight), it's all I can do to do that consistently. I can hit an outright hook or slice around an obstacle, but that's almost always a recovery shot situation for me.

This pretty much describes my game as well (except my fade is left of my setup). I can't hit a baby draw to save my life. I can hit a massive hook around trees but can't seem to find that middle ground to pull off a baby draw.

[tommc23]

I can yes, but I normally do not

[JAGolfore]

My normal shot is a draw. Yes I can hit the fade but only when I need to or want to. If the draw will work then that’s what I am going to hit because that’s what I have the most confidence in.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

[PlaidJacket]

Here's a post I started several years ago on this topic...

I can also hit a low hooking shot when necessary. Usually to get out of trouble. Not all the time successfully but easier than a fade when needed. I still typically play my stock shot shape most of the time. Draw.

[GolfSpy_BNG]

I attempt to hit a baby draw with every shot unless a fade is required. I do this for a different reason than most though. By trying to hit the baby draw, I have really limited the big slice unless I get lazy with my swing. It will either be a draw or fade, I am never sure which, but this usually keeps me in play. I have found if I don't go into the shot with this thought, I tend to get quick, and then who knows where the ball is going!

Sent from my Moto Z3 Play using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[EthanSterlingPrice]

I only shape if it’s absolutely necessary, my stock flight is medium-high draw from top to bottom and I try to stick to that as much as possible. I can turn the ball as hard left as I need to so those I don’t mind using as much but fades are hard for me to keep in control and easily become push slices if I’m not careful so I only use them when I have to.

I think the ability to shape shots even at the minimum is a big advantage to scoring. Avoiding trouble, getting the best lines into the green and the comfort of knowing that shot is in your arsenal can help to free you up all by itself.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[perseveringgolfer]

Nothing wrong with a straight shot. But as most of us have a 'natural' shape that's what you should 'use' on the course.

I 'shape' when essential, but it will be a hook or slice to get round a tree or trees.

People that can replicate a baby draw or baby fade to order, and consistently, are golf Gods. I've not met any in the amateur ranks.

[SteddyGolf]

I have a very neutral shot shape. I can shape the ball when it’s needed to get around an obstacle. I don’t have enough control over distance and direction to try to shape a shot say right to left in order to reach a pin in the back left side of a green. Can I attempt it to varying levels of success? Absolutely but I’d rather just aim to the middle then rely on putting to get me home.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[cksurfdude]

Would like to learn to, but that's a further off goal...

[PMookie]

Not on purpose, I don’t.... I do have a natural draw with my irons and driver, but it’s not consistent, because my swing isn’t consistent. I generally play everything “straight”, +/- wind effect.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[PlaidJacket]

Since this discussion is still alive I'd like to mention something.....

If you're one to want to shape or work the ball left and right at will; do a search of the golf channel or perhaps youtube and look for Cristie Kerr. I recall watching her last summer demonstrating how she draws and fades the ball as needed and at will. She had a very simple method mostly by only shifting her setup while keeping her normal swing path. It takes some practice of course but it's really easy to do. Probably the hardest part is keeping your normal swing path.

Yes I know this isn't necessarily earth shattering news to most but it is an easy method. Especially if you're experimenting and wanting to add a new shot for your game.

[cnosil]

2 hours ago, PlaidJacket said:

Since this discussion is still alive I'd like to mention something.....

If you're one to want to shape or work the ball left and right at will; do a search of the golf channel or perhaps youtube and look for Cristie Kerr. I recall watching her last summer demonstrating how she draws and fades the ball as needed and at will. She had a very simple method mostly by only shifting her setup while keeping her normal swing path. It takes some practice of course but it's really easy to do. Probably the hardest part is keeping your normal swing path.

Yes I know this isn't necessarily earth shattering news to most but it is an easy method. Especially if you're experimenting and wanting to add a new shot for your game.

based on what I found she follows the approach for the "old" ball flight laws.  

[RickyBobby_PR]

2 hours ago, PlaidJacket said:

Since this discussion is still alive I'd like to mention something.....

If you're one to want to shape or work the ball left and right at will; do a search of the golf channel or perhaps youtube and look for Cristie Kerr. I recall watching her last summer demonstrating how she draws and fades the ball as needed and at will. She had a very simple method mostly by only shifting her setup while keeping her normal swing path. It takes some practice of course but it's really easy to do. Probably the hardest part is keeping your normal swing path.

Yes I know this isn't necessarily earth shattering news to most but it is an easy method. Especially if you're experimenting and wanting to add a new shot for your game.

 

9 minutes ago, cnosil said:

based on what I found she follows the approach for the "old" ball flight laws.  

The old school of open/close stance vs new school of face/path manipulation is an interesting follow. Most of the older pros and fitters I’ve seen or worked with prefer the open/close stance. 

[EthanSterlingPrice]

The old school of open/close stance vs new school of face/path manipulation is an interesting follow. Most of the older pros and fitters I’ve seen or worked with prefer the open/close stance. 

I use the “old school” method and it works well enough for me, but a fella I know who’s a very good golfer prefers something similar to that newer method you mentioned. Guess it comes down to which one works better for each individual. I do think there’s less moving parts in the setup change though...



In the bag
Driver: Callaway Rogue Subzero 9.5 Stiff flex
3 wood: Callaway Rogue Subzero 15 degree
Hybrids: 17 degree titleist 816 h2
Irons: Ben Hogan Ptx 22-46 degree (4-pw)stiff flex standard lie
Wedges: Callaway Mac Daddy 4 50,54,58 degrees
Putter: Odyssey EXO seven

Gig’em Aggies!

[golfertrb]

I have typically played a small draw - I hit that for years and years. I could hit a fade with driver or long irons when I had to but that was usually something pretty dramatic vs a baby fade. That said, after two back surgeries, including a fusion, I have been hitting a baby cut with almost everything - even shorter irons. It's weird but I like it - I can still hit a draw but it's not my go to. If I want to hit a draw off the tee, I usually hit my three wood but I can do it with the driver if need be the three is just easier to draw. Because I live in Oklahoma, I can definitely flight the ball - if you can't flight the ball here - you won't play much golf :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk