Draws and fades are the two basic “shapes” of a golf shot that help a golfer control the movement of the ball as best as they can. At the Waikoloa Village Golf Club, one of the premier Big Island golf courses in Hawaii, you can practice perfecting both your draws and fades. But first, learn the breakdown on the differences between the two, and how they can affect your golf game.

A draw refers to a shot that curves from the player’s right to their left. A fade, on the other hand, is the opposite, referring to a shot that curves from a player’s left to their right. While most players have a natural tendency to hit one way or the other, they can learn, with practice, to deliberately hit a fade or a draw. Knowing how to hit a fade and a draw can dramatically improve your game; you can choose one over the other depending on how you want your shot to travel.

To hit a draw, experts and teachers say to line up the ball with your left armpit and narrow your stance slightly before hitting the ball straight and following through with a long arc. Draws are often used by golf players who prefer long distances over control, and they’re great shots on large golf courses. However, because they don’t emphasize control, you run the risk of your ball traveling too far and landing in out-of-bounds areas.

To hit a fade, the technique involves angling your body to the left of the target spot, aiming your golf club to where you want your ball to land, and then swinging as you usually would. Fades are more common among beginner or amateur golfers and are actually preferred over draws because they allow for more control over the ball. Fades give the ball more of a backspin, and while they don’t let the ball travel as far as a draw, they do promise more accuracy and are more likely to keep the ball within the bounds of the golf course.

Enjoy Big Island golf at the Waikoloa Village Golf Club; there’s no better place to practice your fades and draws than alongside the Kohala coast and mesmerizing volcanic views. For more details on the golf course’s affordable tourist and resident rates (they even provide golf accessories and equipment if you don’t have your own) call the Waikoloa Village Golf Club at (808) 883-9621, or visit their website.