Tips for the Long Game.

Free golf tips on the long game

Welcome to the long game page where you can find some advice on playing the game of golf. This section is written for the right handed golfer - for left handed golfers please reverse the instructions.

Shot Making

Learning to control and move the ball from left to right (fade for a right handed player) and from right to left (draw) is a very useful exercise. For higher handicappers it teaches you control of the clubhead and swing path which can improve your ball striking and generally improve your game. For example if you are a high handicap player who struggles with a slice and often ends up in trouble off the tee from either slicing into the trees or out of bounds or into heavy rough - then learning how to draw the ball can improve your game. It will straighten out your game and teach you how to release the clubhead which may gain you some length as well.

For the better player, learning how to hit different shots enables you to apply that shot making skill when playing the game itself and take advantage of your skills to maximise your scoring potential from difficult situations. If the pin is tucked away on the right hand side of a green the better approach shot is generally one that starts at the centre of the green and fades towards the pin - whereas if you try and draw the ball into this kind of pin position then an underdrawn shot will miss the green right and one that is overdone will continue to move away from the pin the further it goes - you want the ball to work toward the pin and not away from it in most circumstances.

Another advantage of learning to shape different shots is that it keeps your swing balanced and helps prevent faults from developing. For example if you generally hit a fade shot then you will find that incorporating the occassional draw shot when practising will prevent your swing from becoming too much out to in and the clubface too open at impact.

How to fade the ball

Sometimes the golfer needs to move the ball through the air left to right. This is called a fade shot in golf. If the fade becomes too exaggerated it is called a slice.

There are variations on techniques but a simple way to hit a fade shot is: Align feet, hips and shoulders parallel on a target line to the left of the target.

Position or rotate the clubface so that it points at the target, this is referred to as an open clubface.

Then re-grip the club. Swing as normal.

The alignment of your feet, hips and shoulders should start the ball toward the left of the target and the alignment of the clubface should cause the ball to spin to the right. Vary the amount the clubface is open and how much you aim your body and stance left to change the amount of fade.

Top Tip: You will find it easier to fade (or slice) a lower lofted club such as Driver, or long iron. As the club will make contact nearer the golf ball's equator thus minimising backspin and allowing side spin to affect the ball's flight.

Top Tip: A faded shot will generally not travel as far as a straight or draw shot and will tend to fly higher and will stop quicker and with less roll. Allow for this with your club selection.

How to draw the ball:

Align feet, hips and shoulders parallel to a target line right of the target (assuming right handed stance / player).

Position or rotate the clubface so that it points at the target, this is referred to as a closed clubface.

Then check your grip and swing as normal.

The alignment of your body and stance should start the ball to the right of the target and the closed clubface should cause the ball to spin to the left.

Top Tip: You will find it easier to draw a shot with a more lofted than a less lofted club.

Top Tip: A draw shot will usually roll further and fly lower. This is because of the effect of de-lofting the clubface. Allow for this in your club selection and consider takeing less club than you would normally take for the distance required.