Most golfers believe ability to move the golf ball both ways is exclusively for the creme de la creme of golf when in reality its very simple once you understand the factors that influence the start direction and the side spin imparted on the golf ball. These skills can be incredibly useful to goflers of all abilities whether it is curving the ball to suit the shape of the hole, moving the ball away from danger on the course or using it to get out of trouble after an errant tee shot!
In this article I am going to highlight some of the key factors to consider (if you are right handed) when trying to shape the golf ball for right to left shots (draw) or left to right shots (fade)
Club face alignment: The club face alignement will heavily influence the start direction of the golf ball and its relationship to the swing path will influence the curvature inparted on the ball.
To draw the ball, set up so that the clubface is aiming slightly to the right of your target at address, this will ensure the ball starts slightly right of target.
The shoulder alignment will impact the swing path. To draw the ball aim your feet, hips and shoulders slightly further to the right than the clubface. This will give the clubface a closed position in relartive to the swing path which will impart right to left spin on the golf ball.
Then simply feel like you are swinging along the the line of your body, this will start the ball to the right and will curve the ball back to the left.
This is the opposite to the draw shot, set up so that the clubface is aiming just left of your target.
The shoulder alignemnt will heavily influence the swing path. Aim your feet, hips and shoulders left of the club face and left of the target. This will give the clubface a open position in relation to the swing path, imparting righht to left curvature on the golf ball.
Then simply swing along the line of your body and watch the ball start left and curve the golf ball back to the right.
Always remember, where you strike the golf ball off of the club face will massively impact both start direction and curvature as the club face will twist on mis strikes. All of the points above will be negated if the ball is struck wildly off centre. Therefore it is considered good practise to learn to strike the ball with a degree of consistency before attempting the above.