Shot shaping is a skill that really sets the top players apart.
If you can hit the ball with some consistency, whether that’s a draw or a fade, you’re already on your way to becoming a scratch golfer. But if you can change your shot shape based on the situation, that’s when your game really starts to stand out.
Phil Mickelson has always been one of the best at this. His ability to shape shots has helped him pull off some incredible escapes over the years – just think back to his famous shot from the trees at Augusta National in 2010.
Mickelson regularly shares tips with amateur golfers, and he once offered some straightforward advice for those looking to get better at shaping their shots.
Phil Mickelson’s straightforward technique for hitting draws
Mickelson’s approach to shaping shots doesn’t involve tweaking your swing. It all comes down to how you set up. He believes that if you can consistently hit the ball straight, then shaping it into a draw or fade is just a matter of setup.
He said: “When we shape the shot to do a slicer or a hook, we want to keep it as simple as possible and make the same golf swing, in general.
“So what I’ll do, to hit one straight, I’ll align my body at the target, set up the face square, make a swing, and try to hit it reasonably straight.
“From there, with that same golf swing, I can get draws and fades. So to hit a fade, I’ll adjust my body to aim where I want the ball to start, I’ll adjust the face to where I want it to end up, and then I’ll grip the club, and that’s gonna be key, we don’t want to just turn the hands.
“I’m set up open, the face is slightly open, I want the ball to go straight, and then just work a little bit to the left as it falls out.
“And then with the draw, I try to do the exact opposite. I aim slightly closed, where I want the ball to start. I close the face, make the same swing, and get the ball to just turn back to the target.”
Mickelson’s advice highlights a common pitfall for amateurs: trying to correct a slice by aiming further left. For right-handed players, this attempt to counter the feared right miss ironically exaggerates their slice.
To hit the ball from right to left, the optimal technique is to aim your body to the right while maintaining the clubface aimed towards the desired landing spot.
Why a draw can help you gain distance
When most people start playing golf, their natural ball flight tends to be a fade or even a slice. That’s usually because the swing path comes over the top, sending the ball from left to right for right-handed players.
A draw, on the other hand, generally comes from a shallower swing path and can add distance. The reason is simple: draws are hit with a slightly closed face, which reduces spin. Less spin means more roll when the ball lands.
With reduced spin, draws tend to run out further once they hit the ground. It’s not uncommon for players who develop a consistent draw to see significant gains in overall distance.
That said, while many amateurs chase a draw for distance gains, most pros prefer hitting fades. Fades generate more spin and land softer on greens, making them easier to control at higher levels of play.
Still, for those struggling with slices, focusing on developing an exaggerated draw – even bordering on a hook – can lead to better consistency and noticeable improvements in distance.
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