Table of Contents
Hit Fade, Slice, Cut Spin – Swing Plane Path and Hand Action for Fade
Knowing how to deliberately slice, fade or cut a shot on the golf course can get you out of trouble if you have missed the fairway on the right and trees are blocking your route to the hole.
Learn how to change your stance, swing plane, and path to hit the ball on a deliberate left-to-right flight for a fade, slice, or cut.
Deliberate Slice Cut or Fade Stance
- If a golfer normally hits a hook, being able to shape the ball from left to right can not only save shots when in trouble but learning how to adapt the stance for a fade or slice can also help a golfer control a hook.
- There are two swing characteristics that are responsible for a slice. A swing path from the outside and a clubface that holds open as it comes into the ball. The swing path is dictated by the aim of the stance.
- Go to the range or practice ground, pick out a target some hundred and fifty yards away and put a club down on the ground aiming some twenty yards to the left.
- Using a seven iron, take up your stance, making sure your feet are in line with the club on the ground.
- Make sure your shoulders compliment your foot alignment and are also aiming to the left for the slice fade or cut spin.
- Angle your head, making sure it is not set back too much. The head should be neutral, with the chin mid-way between both shoulders.
Deliberate Left to Right Cut Fade or Slice Swing Plane and Path
- With the alignment to the left, the swing path is now almost guaranteed to come from the outside, making it possible to hit a slice cut or fade. The job of the golfer is to make sure the hands hold the blade open as it comes into the ball.
- The left hand is responsible for holding open the blade and, in particular, the last three fingers of the left hand. These have to have a firm enough grip on the club to be able to stop centrifugal force kicking in and releasing or turning over the club. At the address, make sure the last three fingers of the left hand are gripping tighter than any other fingers.
- Whatever swing you make, as long as you are aiming far enough to the left, you will be in a position to hold the blade open and impart a left-to-right spin for a deliberate slice cut or fade shape.
- Practice at the range first until you see a left-to-right flight on a shot, and be willing to exaggerate at first. Feel the hands holding open the blade just as a tennis player would hold open the racket to hit a slice backspin. Expect a higher flight than normal as the loft is added as the blade is held open for the slice spin.
- Take more club than you normally would, as the extra backspin imparted by hitting a slice or cut shot will mean it flies less far through the air than on a normal shot.
