Shot Shaper or Point and Shoot?

[ZackS]

I have done both. Started as a point and shoot with the shot shape I had. When I got better my stock shot became pretty much straight. At that point I decided my next step improving was to learn to work the ball reliably. So for the next year or so I would would be trying to fade or draw the ball on every shot. I never got to the big shapes but could consistently hit 5 to 10 yard fades or draws with irons into the green. Driving has always been my weakness so even then I tend to just rely on my stock fade with it. After years not playing much I am back to playing more of just a stock pretty straight irons as that I can still do with not much practice but can move the ball consistently with not playing as much. I personally feel the ability to work the ball is only needed as a next step once you become a low handicap because at that point it is how you can shave that next stroke when the shot is needed. That said If you watch the best in the world with the exception of a few, most of them always play their stock shot unless it just can’t be done in that situation. I will say it can be fun to work the ball but for most of your goal is the lowest score you are best off getting as consistent as possible with your stock shape. 

[RayRay0511]

point & shoot for the flag!

[Josh Ross]

I just got caught up on this topic, but I'm kind of a mixture. My stock shot shape is a baby draw but I can hit a big draw and and I can hit a fade on command. So I'll definitely bend one around corners or change to a fade when hitting to certain pins, but I just play my stock shot most of the time.

[NJ Teacher]

I figured out a while ago that as a casual player, hitting a straight shot is rare for me.  My dominant shot shape continues to be a left to right fade and I've recently learned to hit a knockdown draw.  Once I started tracking the landing spot of my approach shots I figured out that my scores improved when I started using yardages to the back of the green since I learned that when I used the middle of the green yardage I usually came up short of the green.  For years I thought that flying the green was a big no no but it most cases I almost never end up going long.  I found myself pin high way more often and my GIR numbers increased a lot.  Last season I was able to get my handicap down to 11.9 and finally broke 80 once.

[Wmyoungiv]

I played Baltusrol Lower with a caddie a couple years ago. I must have played the first and second hole well enough that the caddie started really started talking to me. After a nice drive on the 3rd, the caddie asked what club I was thinking for my approach and then said, I want you to club down one club and take it in right to left towards the right side of the green. I looked at him and said, so I’m going to hit it a little right if the pin is what I think I heard you say. 
 

so long story, for point and shoot. 

[Willie T]

More of a stock shot of the day person - which most of the time is a slight fade.  Some days it does move to a baby draw.  Trouble shots - I can sling a hard fade if needed, much less able to duck hook.  Of late, when doing solo rounds, I will impose scenarios where I “work” to hit a certain shot to a certain target zone.  When playing with others, whatever the range says I am hitting that day is what I plan my shots around.  

[GolfSpy AFG]

I can't believe nobody's mentioned Scott Fawcett or DECADE yet!

Won't turn this into a DECADE-focused discussion, but I think there are some basic axioms that hold true.  One, I think learning to hit draws and fades is great for skill development and a great way to practice.  However, outside of maneuvering around obstacles (trees), attempting to curve the ball rather than playing your natural shot shape with a good target is probably not the best idea.  Two, I think relying on that natural shot shape and getting to the point of doing it well repeatably on the course is probably a shorter path to lower scores versus trying to bend it towards pins.

[dback]

I have been working hard on picturing a shot shape before I set-up. Even if it's playing my default left to right shape, picturing it helps see potential outcomes and also helps a lot of with shots into greens for me. Knowing the most likely shot shape and my miss, helps me find that aim point and use some of the green contours and features to my advantage. 

 

The main shot shape focus area for me is actually about height, trajectory spin around the green. I've lived and died by the bump and run but trying to add more shots to the bag for short-sided pins, covering hazards, etc. I've found some benefit to learning these shot varieties when it comes to getting out of problem when a tee shot goes wayward.

[FallenSaber]

I'm just looking to get straight down the fairway. I have a natural draw to my shots which I can use to my advantage from time to time but if I'm playing straight, I'm happy and having a good day.

[Beakbryce]

On 4/6/2023 at 6:21 AM, Tijoli said:

As a sports fan and occasional participant, I am always amazed at the ability to direct a ball.  Whether it’s softball, baseball, golf or even bowling, the ability to send the ball where you want it as opposed to just making contact leaves me in awe.  As a relatively new golfer (started in 2020) I have yet to learn the nuances of ball direction. I play golf more than I have played any other sport and as a active addict, I am loving the progress made so far.  I am a straight shooter and fairly consistent across all my clubs; however, once I reach my stroke goal, I would like to learn how to do this.  It would add another layer of challenge and fun and hopefully lower my score even more.

The easiest way to initially learn to curve a ball is to point the feet, hips and shoulders where you want the ball to start, and point the club head were you want the ball to end. If you want to draw or hook, aim right, take your normal grip while pointing the club head left, and make your normal swing. Opposite for a fade or slice. There is no need to change your swing.

[KenBender]

Hello, I will go with either a straight shot or a slight draw 95% of the time. I can hit a fade but I’m not as comfortable with that shot so I stay with what gives me the most consistent flight path. I do like to visualize which shape will woke best for the shot at hand. If the sets up for a fade, I hit it straight. If it’s a draw shaped hole, then my draw will be the shot I hit. 

Edited April 26, 2023 by KenBender

[Tijoli]

2 hours ago, Beakbryce said:

The easiest way to initially learn to curve a ball is to point the feet, hips and shoulders where you want the ball to start, and point the club head were you want the ball to end. If you want to draw or hook, aim right, take your normal grip while pointing the club head left, and make your normal swing. Opposite for a fade or slice. There is no need to change your swing.

Wow!  That’s so interesting!  I am definitely going to try this at the driving range.  I’ve never watched any videos on it because I didn’t want to screw up my swing so this is too cool!  Thank you!!

[LinksgolfFever]

With all things equal I would much prefer to have a better/more consistent ball flight arsenal to choose from.  For me, My irons and 3-5w right to left (draw) bias is the norm, still working on getting a predictable fade with them.....My current Driver is left to right (almost always).  Flighting the ball (low/normal/high) is my sweet spot.  This is the one shape (height) I have down in my bag pretty well.  It is very helpful especially on my home courses wind is always a factor.  Keep practicing those shot shapes, it makes my game more interesting (even on the days where it isn't working all that well.)

[MB5280]

Lately I have been more consistent on aiming and hitting it down the middle.  Sometimes usually while playing best ball scrambles, I may try to shape a shot but that is usually knowing I have a playable shot to use if needed.

[ZMendle10]

2 hours ago, Beakbryce said:

The easiest way to initially learn to curve a ball is to point the feet, hips and shoulders where you want the ball to start, and point the club head were you want the ball to end. If you want to draw or hook, aim right, take your normal grip while pointing the club head left, and make your normal swing. Opposite for a fade or slice. There is no need to change your swing.

This is exactly how I do it as well. I tend to find that my setup is the biggest determinant of a good shot. In general I find if my setup is good and I'm comfortable over the ball my margin for error is much much smaller. I'm a firm believer that the golf swing happens so quick that trying to control it and hit "ideal positions" in a split second movement is almost impossible to control. But what we can control before anything else is a good setup position at the ball. 

[tommyb1683]

I have never watched those videos but I would rather be able to point and shoot. Ever since I learned how to draw and fade the ball I can no longer hit the ball straight when I want to. It's something I am working on now. I think it's actually easier to hit your targets when its P&S then you just judge the wind. But putting a ton of draw or fade on a ball leaves a lot of variables that can go wrong. Just my opinion. I know there are people out there like you're talking about who do it quite well. So I guess it is probably just more of what you're comfortable with.

[Golf Dawg]

I’m more hit & hope… I tend to fade the ball naturally, but that can be a slice or hook in an eye blink.

I can set up to fade around things fairly well. I can’t draw worth a damn, even with a pencil. 

Typically, I set up on the left side of the tee and find middle 43% (Arccos) or right 37% of the time. The remaining 20% is a unhappy hooker.

[Bang60]

53 minutes ago, Golf Dawg said:

I’m more hit & hope… I tend to fade the ball naturally, but that can be a slice or hook in an eye blink.

I can set up to fade around things fairly well. I can’t draw worth a damn, even with a pencil. 

Typically, I set up on the left side of the tee and find middle 43% (Arccos) or right 37% of the time. The remaining 20% is an unhappy hooker.

I’m happy with a hooker  

[Frickenhacker]

Sadly I am no shot shaper. Point and shoot rarely works either lol, I'm more of a spray and pray kinda guy !

[ZackS]

10 hours ago, Frickenhacker said:

Sadly I am no shot shaper. Point and shoot rarely works either lol, I'm more of a spray and pray kinda guy !

Hey the shot is still shaping, even if you don’t know which shape until it happen

[rosco1963]

Point, shoot, pray, search!

[richk9holes]

1 minute ago, rosco1963 said:

Point, shoot, pray, search!

Rinse and repeat

[Richard D. Shows II]

My most reliable shot is a fade, not a lot, but some movement left to right.  I found that if I call my shot, even if just in my head, I can execute the shot visualized.

I can hit a draw, although I most of the times it is on accident.  

 

[Bang60]

Started out a slicer then lesson then Drawer and Fader recently straightened left with new @Sluggo42 grip fader

[richk9holes]

I invented a style today called "swing and curse"

[Blake Hopkins]

I love to shape the ball, it really makes the game so much more fun! Besides, that's what most of us are playing this game for, it's all in the name of fun in the end! If you get really good at it, its like having several extra clubs in the bag because you can use that to adjust some distances, eg. a high fade will take off some distance, while a bullet draw will add some

[Bang60]

Shot shaper back in the day now pray shot

[silver & black]

The only shot I can do on demand is a fade. A draw usually ends up a big hook, so I have given up on it...lol. Unfortunately, hitting it straight is the hardest shot for me.

Edited October 1, 2023 by silver & black

[Preeway]

As this season has progressed, I’ve been able to get back in my groove and can hit fades and draws on demand. My go to shot is a baby draw but I can change it up when needed. 

[ZackS]

3 hours ago, Preeway said:

As this season has progressed, I’ve been able to get back in my groove and can hit fades and draws on demand. My go to shot is a baby draw but I can change it up when needed. 

It's a great feeling being able to do that. It still in me but defiantly not on consistent. Don't play enough anymore for that. I actually get myself it trouble sometimes because my brain still thinks that way but my body does not cooperate anymore