When I first started playing golf around the age of 20, I came into the sport having played a lot of baseball. And like most baseball players who attempt the golf swing, I sliced the ball 280 yards off the course.
So for the next 2-3 years, I tried every possible way I could imagine to get the ball to turn over and draw. And I did it.
And then I hit a snap hook…
So then I spent the next 2-3 years making sure I never saw the ball draw ever again.
I eventually settled on a fade, and have had success with that shot shape for the last few years. But still, I sometimes wonder if I’d be better off trying to hit big high draws than run out an extra 20 yards. Besides, don’t pros work the ball both ways?
Well, not exactly.
You may be surprised to find out, a lot of the guys on Tour don’t really like to work the ball both ways. In fact, most of the best players in the world would prefer to own one shape and use the other only when completely necessary.
But still, I’ve always wondered:
What do the guys on Tour prefer to hit?
While there's no single shot shape that works for everyone, modern equipment has created a clear trend among top players.
In today’s Scoring Letter, I’ll review the most popular shot shape on Tour, and analyze the data behind draws and fades. We’ll explore whether shaping the ball both ways is necessary for scoring lower, and ultimately determine if one shot shape is superior.
Let's get into it.
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The Straight Ball Myth
Let’s start with this:
Nobody hits the golf ball straight.
