Conference 7.286::golf

    
    It is easiest when you don't plan to do it...! To fade the ball
    you stand with an open stance and open the club face, taking
    your swing path on an outside-in path will make it fade even
    more... To draw the ball, do just the oposite (closed stance and
    closed club face)... And like I said, it is easy in theory, but
    to do it when you want is something else again...

    

    	It's really not to difficult to hit the ball in either direction.
    But controlling how much in either direction is the hard part. 
    I find that when I try and draw the ball from right to left, I usually
    either dead hook it, or end up hitting the ball straight.  In either
    case, the results are usually disasterous!!!  So when I have to
    draw the ball, I usually just play it safe, and eat the stroke.
    On the other side though, I'm not to bad at fading or slicing the
    ball.  Probably because this favors my normal swing path.  I fade
    just about everything, and to slice it, doesn't take to much more
    for me.  But -.1 describes how you do it, pretty well without getting
    into detail.  A fade is a nice shot too, especially with irons,
    because you can put a biting spin on the ball.  It is much easier
    to stop the ball on the green with.  Ideally, you would like to
    be able to *FADE* not slice, all your irons, and *DRAW* not hook
    you tee shots with woods, acquiring maximum distance.  Easier said
    than done though.  
    	Finally, don't worry if you can't move the ball side to side
    like the pros do.  You're just like 10 million other golfers!!!
    Besides, the Pros play mostly balata covered balls, which are much
    easier to spin than surlyn or other covered balls.
    
    Beak

	Re: .0

	If you hit your ball straight towards where you aim it you
	will have a lot less need to "bend" the ball.  Those few times
	you hit it straight into the woods just chip out and then
	play towards the flag.

	I know that the pro's talk about being able to work the ball
	one way or the other.  However all my best rounds (& I bet the
	average bogey golfer's) have been when I've hit the ball straight
	all day.

	Don't worry if you can't work the ball.  If you hit your ball
	straight you'll generally be in the short grass (fairway) where
	bad shots generally don't end up costing a full stroke.

	Larry

    The controlled draw (right to left) and controlled fade (left to
    right) are not that difficult to achieve.  To draw the ball take
    a narrower stance ie. less than shoulder width apart.  Next bring
    your right foot back from the ball (approx 1 inch)  This will assist
    you in bringing the club back inside. Another tip is to take a stronger
    grip (ie moving both your right and left hans to the right.  This
    will close the clubface slightly at impact and place the right to
    left spin on the ball.  For the controlled fade widen the stance,
    placing the ball further to your front foot, open your stance slightly
    for the outside to inside club path and weaken your grip by moving
    in more to the left.
    
    Paul