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To become better, shot makers players need to understand the relationship between club path and face angle at impact.

This relationship will give any combination of straight, draw, fade, slice, hook, push and pull shots. The best golfers in the world can manipulate the path and face angle to produce different results depending on what circumstance they find themselves in.

Path is the direction of travel the club takes through impact. The paths will be known to most players and are referred to as out-to-in, in-to-out, and inside to square to inside. All swings paths relate to aim line or target line. An out-to-in swing path starts from outside the ball, swings across the target line and body, before traveling left of the target. This is the path most common to people who slice the ball.

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
• Slice – The path is the same as the fade but the club face is open to both the path and target producing enough side spin to send the ball curving through the air to finish right of the target
• 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
• Hook – A hook also has an in-to-out path but the club face is closed to both the path and target, spinning the ball enough to send the ball curving left of the target
• 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
• Pull – A pull shot features an out-to-in swing path with the club face square to the swing path but closed to the target
• Push – A push shot happens when the club moves from in-to-out and the club face is square to that path

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.

First players need to practice then take the combination of club path and face angle on to the course.

Because of the complex nature and manipulation of path and face angle, both aspects of the swing need to be practiced first at the driving range and then on the course. Simply trying to shape the shot on the course will not produce the best results.

Clubs which actively manipulate the face angle such as anti-slice clubs can help golfers in desperate need. However, to become a true shot maker, golfers should play with a straight faced golf club.

Hitting the ball in different shapes through the air does require a high amount of club head speed and cannot be achieved by swinging slowly. Practice path, face angle and swing freely.