Trying to hit the ball straight with the driver can be tough and you may question why you want to even bother trying to curve the ball.
On some holes, the fairway may move from one side to the other or could start straight and then bend to the right or left, commonly known as a dogleg.
You can approach these holes by hitting the ball straight but short of the turn in the fairway and play your next shot straight but in the change of direction. This is fine and can be an easy way to approach a dogleg hole but you will struggle to make a birdie or even a par playing that way.
If you would like to take your game to the next level, you must think about adding some curve to your drives and taking your ball around the dogleg off the tee. This will allow you to hit the green in regulation and not use two shots to negotiate the bend in the fairway.
Thankfully, adding curve to the ball is easier than you think and you can do it without having to change your swing mechanics.
Adding curve to the ball, in either direction can be done by changing your set-up.
If you would like to draw the ball, which means hitting it from right to left for right handed golfers, you can play the ball a little further back in your stance. If you are using an iron the ball should be in the centre of your stance and a little forward of centre for a wood.
Change your stance so you are pointing slightly right of the target and to do that effortlessly simply move your back foot so it is behind the position of your right foot, with the toes of the left foot parallel to the instep of your right foot.
If you would like to hit a fade, which will see the ball move from left to right for right handed players, you need to move the ball further forward in your stance.
Your feet should be positioned so you are aiming to the left of the target and your front foot should assume the same position as your back foot did when playing the draw shot. This means your front foot should be behind the line of your back foot by roughly an inch.
Being in this stance encourages an out to in swing path and the position of the ball will help to get the face of the club pointing left at impact with the ball.
Before trying these set-up changes on the course, its recommended you practice on the driving range and become accustomed to the new position of the ball and your feet.
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