3 CLUBFACE ROTATION

So far we have learned how, for the right-hander, a fade needs a leftward swing path and a draw a rightward path. The second element is matching the clubface to that path. Focus on your trail hand to control face rotation...

FADE RESIST ROTATION

Take a mid-to-short iron and grip it with your trail hand only. Use the open fade stance and forward ball position. Swing through slowly, allowing the club to follow your toeline and leftward aim. But as you do this, gently resist clubface rotation; feel the face is open to your swing line but slightly closed to your ball-target line, represented by the cane.

DRAW ENCOURAGE ROTATION

Now try the same drill, but for the opposite shape. Close your stance, and move the ball back. This time, as you swing through, add a little extra forearm rotation and let the clubface turn over. As you do this, note that face aim at impact strongly influences the start line, and that for the right-hander the ball must start right of target. As you work on promoting rotation, feel the face at impact is closed to your swing path but a little open to your target line.

SHOT-SHAPING FEEL AND EXPERIMENTATION

This one-hand drill will help you gain a feel for how you need to control the face to hit the ball both ways. In time, add your lead hand and repeat the same feels. But as you work on this part of your game, be prepared to experiment with all three elements we’ve discussed here. Shot-shaping is more art than science, owing more to feel than pure technique. Dedicate some range sessions to learning how to increase and reduce curvature. As well as being great for your game, it’s also a lot of fun.