My Fade

Question
I just picked up a driver for the first time. After watching the Master's Tourny I wanted to try. But when I hit the ball a good distance it fades. Is the problem in my stance or swing? Please help. Golf seems like it is a great game to learn.

Answer
Hi Zig, yes the Masters was great this year. You need to understand a bit about drivers and their properties, such as what makes it go curvy etc:

1) shaft flex; too stiff = curves to right, too flexy = curves to left.
2) club face loft; too low = curves right, more loft = more draw spin
3) grip thickness; too thick = curves right, too thin = curves left

These are factors that can affect ball flight without worrying about your swing. Other things you need to look at are your hands position on the club, too far to left (weak) will curve ball to right, ball position too far back in stance could cause your ball to go right, attacking ball with a steep out to in swing will also cause ball to curve right.

The biggest problem i see with golfers who fade/slice is a combo of grip being too weak, with a steep out to in swing, hitting it too hard, with little or no hand action through impact to square face up.Try feeling what you do during your swing and alter anything you feel is creating your fade. Good Luck