Breaking 90

By Lorena Ochoa

With Topsy Siderowf

Photos By Darren Carroll

April 2007

Now that you're on the verge of shooting in the 80s, you'll want to be able to handle situations that call for curving the ball. Consistency for you means hitting more greens, and that requires the ability to hit different kinds of shots. The basic shotmaking tools are the fade and the draw -- and it's not too soon to start learning them.

How I fade it

To hit a fade, I make two adjustments to my setup, then make my normal swing. First, I aim as far left of the target as I want the ball to start. Second, I open the clubface (inset), pointing it to where I want the ball to land. I love relying on my fade. In the second round of the 2006 Tournament of Champions, I hit a big fade into the seventh green and made the putt for birdie that turned my day around and put me on track to win.

How I draw it

To draw the ball, my pre-shot adjustments are the opposite of those I make to hit a fade. First, I aim my body to the right, where I want the ball to start. Second, I close the clubface (inset) so it faces where I want the ball to land. I don't change my grip or my swing. And I don't swing any harder or easier. With both of these shots, I trust that the set-up changes I made will produce a different shot when I make my standard golf swing.

Make time count at the range

Whenever you're practicing, have a drill or goal in mind. I like to hit nine balls with my 9-iron -- three high, three low and three at my normal trajectory. I change targets every few swings to make sure I'm getting quality practice.

Position A

These three balls show various positions in my stance. The back ball is for a wedge, the middle for a 5-iron and the front for a 5-wood. Don't let the ball get too far back with any club. If it does, you won't have enough time to square the club at impact.