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Golfers playing well at the elite level can work the golf ball in any direction they wish giving them access to tight fairways and tricky pins.

They are able to do this because they have put the time and effort into understand the relationship between club path and club face angle at impact. Once understanding of the path/face relationship has been gained, then professionals practice the theory with practice, hours of practice.

Club path and face angle

Path is the direction of travel the club takes through impact and there are three paths the club could take (to varying degrees). These are out-to-in, in-to-out, and inside to square to inside. These all relate to aim line or target line.

The club face angle is the direction the club face points at impact. When combined, the path and angle determine where the ball will travel.

• Fade – To produce a fade, the club needs to travel from out-to-in (cutting across the body). At the point of impact, the club face needs to aim between the target line and club path (just left of the target). This will produce fade spin and move the ball left to right.
• Draw – To produce a draw, the club needs to travel from in-to-out (moving from inside the body to out). At the point of impact, the club face needs to aim between the target line and club path (just right of the target). This impact position will cause a draw moving the ball right to left.
• Straight shot – Hitting a straight shot requires the club to travel from inside to square to inside. At impact the club face needs to aim at the target line. This will produce a straight shot

Professionals can further work the ball by altering their angle of attack. Steepening the angle of attack will cause the ball to fly lower whilst a shallow angle of attack will cause the ball to fly higher. Angle of attack can be manipulated by moving the ball further back in the stance to hit lower and further forward to hit higher.

After this understanding is complete, golfers need to practice hitting these positions out on the range and then taking them on to the course.

Professionals work the ball by understanding path and club face angle, amateurs can do the same with practice.

It cant be denied that professionals have a great amount of talent but they also have the desire to learn, improve and practice. Everyone can learn these positions and practice working the ball like the pros.

Although professionals have access to the best clubs in the world, they very rarely alter their equipment to hit particular shots. They understand how to move their club though impact and alter their technique rather than their clubs.

Most golfers including professionals have a natural shot shape. But professionals dont constantly rely on one particular type of shot; they can vary their game to match a situation.