How to Set Up for a Fade Golf Shot

Hitting a controlled fade is one of the most reliable and impressive shots in golf, yet many players think it's reserved for the pros. The truth is, shaping the ball from left to right on command is much more about your setup than it is about some complicated swing manipulation. If you can learn to consistently set up for a fade, you can add a precise, high-spinning, soft-landing shot to your arsenal. This guide will walk you through the entire setup process, step by step, so you can stop slicing and start fading.

What Exactly is a Fade (and Why You Need One)

First, let's clear up a common misunderstanding. A fade is not a slice. A slice is a wild, uncontrolled curve that robs you of distance and typically ends in the right-side trees. A fade, on the other hand, is a gentle, intentional curve. It starts slightly to the left of your target line and drifts back toward the target, landing with more backspin and less roll-out than a standard draw.

So, why is this shot so useful?

• Precision: A fade has a steeper angle of descent and lands more softly. This makes it a go-to shot for attacking pins tucked away on the right side of the green. Instead of risking the entire shot flying right of the flag, you can aim left of the pin and let the ball gracefully "fall" towards it.
• Control: For many amateur golfers, a fade feels more repeatable and easier to control than a draw. Because you're essentially "wiping" across the ball slightly, it minimizes the risk of the big hook that can fly off the map. Many great champions, like Jack Nicklaus and Brooks Koepka, built their careers on a power fade.
• Course Management: Having a reliable fade allows you to navigate dogleg-right holes with ease. Instead of trying to hit a perfectly straight shot down a fairway that curves away from you, you can hit a shot that naturally moves with the shape of the hole.

The Simple Physics: Path vs. Face Angle

To understand how to set up for a fade, you need to understand one basic concept of ball flight: the ball starts roughly where your swing path is directed, and it curves away from your clubface angle. It sounds technical, but it’s actually very straightforward in action.

For a right-handed golfer to hit a fade, you need two things to happen at impact:

1. Your swing path must be traveling to the left of the final target line.
2. Your clubface must be pointing to the right of that swing path, but still slightly left of (or directly at) the final target.

This creates a scenario where the club swings "out-to-in" relative to the target line, imparting left-to-right spin on the ball. The great news is, you can create this entire dynamic before you even start your swing, simply by adjusting your setup.

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Fade Setup

The beauty of this method is that it allows you to make a normal, comfortable swing. We are going to pre-set the fade conditions at address so you don’t have to think about manipulating anything during the actual swing. Follow these steps in order.

Step 1: Get Your Grip Right (The Foundation)

While not strictly mandatory for every player, adopting a neutral or slightly "weaker" grip can make fading the ball much easier. A "strong" grip (where your hands are rotated to the right on the club) encourages the hands to release and turn over, promoting a draw. To encourage a fade, we want to quiet this release.

How to check for a neutral/weaker grip:

• Left Hand (for righties): When you look down at your lead hand (left hand), you should see about two knuckles. If you see three or more, your grip is likely too strong. Try rotating this hand slightly to the left, so only one-and-a-half to two knuckles are visible. The "V" formed by your thumb and index finger should point more toward the center of your chest rather than your right shoulder.
• Right Hand (for righties): The palm of your trail hand (right hand) should face the target more squarely. The "V" in this hand should also point towards the center of your chest or chin.

This grip feels different, even strange, at first. But this simple change can prevent your hands from over-rotating through impact, which is essential for preserving the open clubface required for a fade.

Step 2: Aim the Clubface at Your Final Target

This is the most important step in the entire process. Before you do anything else with your body, you must aim the clubface directly where you want the ball to end up. If the pin is your target, aim your clubface directly at the pin.

Many golfers make the mistake of aiming their clubface left of the target because they know they are aligning their body left. This is incorrect. If you aim your clubface left and your body left, the ball will simply go straight left (a pull). The fade happens because there is a difference between where the face is aiming and where your body is aiming. So, repeat after me: Aim the clubface at the flag.

Step 3: Align Your Body Open (Left of Target)

Once your clubface is set and aiming at the target, it's time to align your body. To create that out-to-in swing path, you need to set your body "open" or to the left of your final target. Imagine two lines:

• Target Line: Runs from your ball straight to the flag. Your clubface is aligned on this line.
• Body Line: Runs across your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders. This line will now point to the left of the target line.

To do this, simply set up with your feet, hips, and shoulders pointed a few yards left of where your clubface is aiming. How far left? That depends on how much you want the ball to fade. For a small, 5-10 yard fade with a mid-iron, aiming your body about 10-15 yards left of your target is a good starting point. The more "open" you set your body, the more the ball will tend to curve.

Step 4: Check Your Ball Position

For a standard fade with an iron, there is no need to make a dramatic change in ball position. Keep it centered in your stance, just as you would for a normal straight shot. If you are struggling and the ball is starting too far right, you can experiment with moving the ball a half-ball's width forward. This can give you slightly more time for the clubhead to work back to the inside of the target line, helping the ball start left more consistently. Avoid moving the ball too far back in your stance, as this can steepen your attack and promote a pull.

The Swing: Trust Your Setup Completely

You’ve done all the work. The clubface is at the target, your body is open to the left, and your grip is neutral. What now? You make your normal swing, but you swing along your body line.

Do NOT try to re-route the club. Do NOT try to consciously hold the face open. Your setup has already programmed the fade into your swing. Your only thought should be to swing the club down the line created by your feet and shoulders. Since that line is pointing left of the target, the club will naturally travel on an out-to-in path relative to the target line. The ball will start left and, because your clubface was aimed at the pin, a gentle fade will bring it back home.

It's about commitment. Trust that the setup will produce the shot shape you want. Trying to add extra manipulation during the swing is the fastest way to hit pulls and slices.

Common Faults and Simple Fixes

• Fault: The Pull. Your ball starts left and stays left with no curve.
  The Cause: You probably aimed your clubface left along with your body. Remember, the clubface must aim at your *final target*, not where your body is aimed.
  The Fix: Re-focus on Step 2. Put an alignment stick down on your target line and make sure your clubface is perfectly square to it at address.
• Fault: The Slice. The ball starts left but curves way too much to the right.
  The Cause: Your swing path is likely too far left of your clubface angle. This could be from coming "over the top" or simply having your body aligned too far left for the shot.
  The Fix: First, reduce the amount you open your stance. Aim your body just slightly left of the target and see if that tames the curve. Also, focus on a smooth tempo - a rushed transition often steepens the downswing and exaggerates the slice.

A Drill to Practice Your Fade

Use two alignment sticks to get a clear visual of your lines.

1. Place the first stick on the ground pointing directly at your target. This is your target line.
2. Place the second stick parallel to the first, but a foot or two closer to you. Then, pivot this second stick to the left, so it points where you want your body to aim.
3. Set up with your clubface square to the first stick (the target line) and your feet parallel to the second stick (the body line). Now hit shots, focusing on swinging the club along the path of the second alignment stick. This provides powerful visual feedback and makes the concept feel intuitive.

Final Thoughts

Setting up for a controlled fade is a systematic process based on alignment, not a complicated swing change. By aiming your clubface at the target and your body to the left, while making a normal swing along your body line, you can reliably shape the ball from left to right and unlock a whole new level of precision and control on the golf course.

Practicing new shot shapes takes time, and translating that feel to the course can be a challenge. We built Caddie AI to bridge that gap. When you're standing over a shot and weighing your options, you can get instant confirmation on strategy - like whether a fade is the right play for a certain pin location and how to best approach it. We provide that on-demand expertise right in your pocket, giving you the clarity and confidence to commit to every swing.