The Definition
A fade is a golf shot that starts slightly left of the target (for right-handed golfers) and curves back toward the target, finishing right of where it started. Like the draw, a fade is a controlled, intentional shot shape. When over-exaggerated, a fade becomes a slice — the most common miss among amateur golfers. For left-handed golfers, a fade moves right to left.
Why Professionals Love the Fade
Many of golf's greatest ball-strikers were known for their consistent fade — Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, and Ben Hogan all preferred a left-to-right shape. The fade lands softer (higher spin), holds its line in crosswinds from the left, and is easier to aim because the ball does not roll as far past the target. For approach shots to pins, the fade's soft landing is a significant advantage.
The Ball Flight Laws Behind a Fade
For a fade: the club face points slightly left of the target at impact, the swing path is further left of the face, and the ball starts left then curves right back to target. The left-to-right spin (for right-handed golfers) comes from an open face relative to the swing path — this imparts counter-clockwise spin from the golfer's perspective, curving the ball right.
How to Hit a Fade Intentionally
To hit a fade: align your feet and body slightly left of target, then aim the club face at the target (open relative to your path). This creates the outside-to-inside swing path with an open face that produces left-to-right spin. Common feels include keeping the face 'pointing at the sky' a little longer through impact, not releasing the forearms as aggressively, and swinging slightly across the ball from outside-in. Start with a shorter club and gradually work to driver.
The Slice vs the Fade
The difference between a fade and a slice is degree. A controlled fade has a gentle, predictable left-to-right curve of perhaps 5-15 yards. A slice has an extreme curve — often 30-50+ yards — that misses fairways and causes significant distance loss. The same mechanics produce both shots; a slice simply has a larger face-to-path angle. GOATY's analysis of your club path and release pattern identifies whether you have a controlled fade or a compensated slice.
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