Fade vs. Draw: A Data-Driven Look

We've added a new LAB tool: Ball Flight & Dispersion. It shows how draw and fade differ in miss pattern (dispersion) and carry consistency.

Rethinking Old Beliefs

It was long said that "draw goes farther" and "fade doesn't." With modern low-spin, high-speed balls, that gap has narrowed.

Draw

• Carry is solid, and total distance (with run) tends to be longer
• Left miss (hook) can be wide—more lateral spread
• Lateral dispersion is larger

Fade

• More spin and steeper landing angle
• Vertical distance (where it stops) is more predictable
• Lateral dispersion is relatively small

What the Tool Does

Dispersion comparison

A 150-yard simulation compares landing spread for draw vs. fade:

• Draw: Bias left, wider lateral spread, relatively stable depth
• Fade: Bias right, smaller lateral spread, more variation in depth

Carry vs. run (stopping power)

Draw tends to run more, so total distance is longer but control on the green is harder. With modern balls, fade still lands steeper, so the ball doesn’t run as far from the landing spot.

Conclusion

A fade isn’t "short"—it’s predictable. Misses tend to be short, so except when you need to carry a hazard, it’s often easier to take dead aim at the pin.

Link to the LAB Tool

Ball Flight & Dispersion: Fade vs. Draw

Conclusion: Fade is not "short"; it’s a shape you can plan around.

Use the interactive charts to compare dispersion and apply it to your strategy.