There’s a reason Matt Fitzpatrick’s fade looks so simple — and it’s not because it is.
While the rest of the tour is busy chasing towering draws and 190mph ball speeds, Fitzpatrick is out there doing something different. And let’s be honest — different is working. At the 2022 U.S. Open, he ranked first in greens in regulation and fifth in driving accuracy. That’s not flashy. That’s precision.
And that precision? It starts with a fade.
Why Fitzpatrick Bets on the Fade
Fitzpatrick’s fade is more than a shot shape — it’s a full-on strategy.
He’s not trying to overpower courses; he’s trying to outsmart them. And he’s doing it by hitting a fade that starts just right and drifts back to the middle like it knows where it belongs.
According to swing coach Pete Cowen, Fitzpatrick’s fade comes down to pressure and timing. His transition move — a slight early opening of the hips and shoulders — sets the stage for a controlled out-to-in swing path. That’s what produces that reliable left-to-right ball flight.
But it’s not just the transition.
Brian Manzella, another top instructor, points out how Fitzpatrick sets up with a unique address position: hips pushed back, a subtle spine curve, and a bit of reach. It’s a small move with big results — a setup that encourages the upper body to move just enough to create the right shape.
Got a strong grip? So does Fitzpatrick. But instead of fighting it, he “lays off” the club at the top of the backswing to stop the face from closing down. That’s how he keeps his fade alive, even when everything else might scream draw.
It’s in the Clubs, Too
This isn’t just a swing tweak. Fitzpatrick’s fade is built right into his equipment.
After chatting with Jack Nicklaus (yes, that Jack), he added eight grams — maybe more — to the grips of his irons. That extra weight shifts the balance just enough to promote an open face through impact.
It’s not exactly something you’ll find on the rack at your local golf shop. But for Fitzpatrick, it works.
The Transition That Makes It Work
A lot of golfers get stuck at the top — literally. Fitzpatrick doesn’t.
Instead, he makes a smooth, synchronized move: chest turns with the arms, slight left-arm roll, and almost no lift. That keeps the club slightly inside on the takeaway. Then, when it’s time to transition, his lower body opens up just a fraction early, nudging the path out and across.
The result? A swing that consistently delivers the clubface slightly open to the path — fade city.
And at impact, the picture’s perfect: open hips, right forearm matching the shaft, right side tilted toward the ground, and the club exiting low and left. It’s a masterclass in geometry.
What Makes It Repeatable
You don’t win a U.S. Open with a shot shape that only shows up once a week.
Sean Foley summed it up best: “Everything that Matt does is very repeatable.” From the moment he grips the club to the finish of his swing, Fitzpatrick isn’t just hoping for a fade — he’s built one that shows up on demand.
That includes how he releases the club. A lot of amateurs drag the handle. Fitzpatrick? He lets the clubhead fire through, letting the butt of the grip move away from the target post-impact. That keeps the face just open enough to hold the fade.
Want to try that yourself? Start by checking where the grip points after you hit a shot. If it’s aiming straight at your target, you might be missing the fade window.
The Fade Meets the Fairway
Fitzpatrick’s fade really shines on tight setups — you know, the kind of courses that make you sweat over every tee shot.
CBS Sports analyst Mark Immelman explains how Matt aims his driver down the right side of the fairway and lets the ball drift back to center. That’s not luck — it’s design. With modern drivers promoting a slight upward hit (which usually starts the ball left), Fitzpatrick’s line effectively widens the fairway by playing into that shape.
And it’s not just tee shots. At Brookline during the 2022 U.S. Open, Fitzpatrick didn’t just find fairways — he attacked flags. Fading into tucked pins with control is a different kind of power. Not explosive. But relentless.
The Stat Sheet Doesn’t Lie
Behind Fitzpatrick’s artistry is an obsession with data.
His brother Alex puts it plainly: “Everything he does is very statistics-focused.” Fitzpatrick doesn’t just play by feel — he’s constantly measuring, adjusting, and refining.
So when he commits to a fade, it’s because the numbers say it works.
And at a championship level, those numbers mean everything. More fairways. More greens. Fewer bogeys. You don’t need to bomb it 330 when your miss is five yards off center and your GIR numbers are through the roof.
A Fade That Fits the Modern Game
Let’s be honest — the golf world loves distance. Launch monitors. Ball speed. Smash factor. All that jazz.
But Fitzpatrick’s approach reminds us there’s still room for control. For playing to your strengths. For shaping shots instead of just smashing them.
He isn’t trying to be the longest. He’s trying to be the smartest. And with a fade this effective, he’s reminding the rest of us that sometimes, subtle wins.