The draw is a highly sought-after shot shape in golf, allowing players to achieve more distance, better control, and increased shot variety. A draw is a shot that starts to the right of the target (for a right-handed golfer) and gently curves back towards the target line. Mastering the draw can significantly improve your game, but it requires practice and understanding of the fundamentals. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to hit a draw and unlock your shot-shaping potential on the course.
Proper setup and alignment:
To hit a draw, you must first ensure that your setup and alignment are correct. Start by aiming your clubface at the target. Then, set your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line, but slightly to the right. This creates an inside-to-outside swing path, which is crucial for hitting a draw.
Adjust your grip:
A strong grip can help promote the right-to-left ball flight needed for a draw. To adopt a stronger grip, rotate both hands clockwise on the grip, so you can see more knuckles on your left hand (for right-handed golfers). This encourages the clubface to close more quickly through impact, producing the desired shot shape.
Shallow your swing plane:
A flatter or shallower swing plane promotes an inside-to-outside path, which is essential for hitting a draw. As you take the club back, focus on keeping your hands lower and closer to your body. This will help you swing on a more rounded path, making it easier to achieve the desired inside-to-outside motion.
Rotate your body through impact:
To hit a draw, it’s essential to maintain good body rotation throughout the swing. As you approach the ball, focus on turning your hips and shoulders towards the target. This rotation helps to keep the clubface closed and promotes an inside-to-outside swing path.
Release the club properly:
Releasing the club correctly is crucial for hitting a draw. As you approach impact, allow your wrists to unhinge and rotate the clubface through the ball. This release should feel natural and not forced. A proper release will help to close the clubface, promoting the right-to-left ball flight needed for a draw.
Practice and commitment:
Hitting a draw consistently requires practice and dedication. Spend time on the driving range working on the fundamentals outlined above, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. With patience and persistence, you’ll eventually unlock the ability to hit a draw on command.
Drills to Help You Hit a Draw
| Drill | Purpose | Execution | Tips | Variations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment drill | Train proper alignment | Place two alignment sticks on the ground to aim at | Focus on aligning feet, hips, and shoulders with the sticks | Move the sticks closer or farther away |
| Swing path drill | Improve inside-out swing path | Place a headcover outside the ball to promote inside takeaway | Focus on the club moving inside the target line on the backswing | Use different clubs for variation |
| Impact drill | Train correct impact position | Hit shots with feet together to promote centeredness and balance | Focus on hitting the ball solidly with a descending angle of attack | Hit different shots with different clubs |
| Release drill | Train proper release of hands | Hit shots with a deliberate release of the hands | Focus on turning the hands over through impact to square the clubface | Use different clubs for variation |
Factors Affecting Draw Shot
| Factor | Impact on Draw | Ideal Value | Adjustment Needed | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club Speed | High | Fast | Increase club speed | Promotes draw |
| Ball Position | High | Back in stance | Move ball back | Encourage draw |
| Tee Height | Medium | Low | Lower Tee Height | Promotes draw |
| Grip Pressure | Medium | Firm | Apply firm grip | Encourage draw |
| Wind Direction | Low | Right-to-left | Play with wind | Assists draw |
Grip Techniques for Hitting a Draw
| Technique | Description | Benefit | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Grip | Turn both hands to the right on the club | Encourages the clubface to close at impact | Dustin Johnson |
| Neutral Grip | Hands are positioned in a standard position | Allows for easy manipulation of the clubface | Tiger Woods |
| Weak Grip | Turn both hands to the left on the club | Promotes an open clubface at impact | Phil Mickelson |
| Ten Finger Grip | All ten fingers are on the club | Provides maximum control over the clubface | Bubba Watson |
| Interlocking Grip | Index finger of the left hand and pinky of the right hand interlock | Promotes a fluid and comfortable swing | Jack Nicklaus |
Stance and Alignment Tips for Hitting a Draw
| Tip | Description | Benefit | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Stance | Align feet to the left of the target | Encourages an in-to-out swing path | Fred Couples |
| Closed Stance | Align feet to the right of the target | Promotes an out-to-in swing path | Lee Trevino |
| Ball Position | Move the ball back in the stance | Helps create a descending blow at impact | Rory McIlroy |
| Alignment | Aim the clubface to the right of the target | Encourages an inside-out swing path | Jordan Spieth |
| Body Alignment | Align shoulders to the right of the target | Promotes an inside-out swing path | Ernie Els |
Swing Tips for Hitting a Draw
| Tip | Description | Benefit | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takeaway | Keep the clubhead outside the hands | Encourages a proper swing plane | Sergio Garcia |
| Backswing | Maintain a wide arc and avoid a steep backswing | Creates a shallow angle of attack | Rickie Fowler |
| Downswing | Lead with the lower body and rotate the hips | Encourages an inside-out swing path | Justin Thomas |
| Impact | Keep the clubface square to the target | Promotes a straight or draw ball flight | Adam Scott |
| Follow-Through | Extend the arms and rotate through the shot | Creates a fluid and powerful finish | Brooks Koepka |
Practice Drills for Hitting a Draw
| Drill | Description | Benefit | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment Rod Drill | Place an alignment rod on the ground to guide the swing path | Promotes a proper swing path | Jason Day |
| Towel Drill | Place a towel under the right armpit to promote connection between the arms and body | Encourages a connected swing | Henrik Stenson |
| Swing Plane Board Drill | Use a swing plane board to maintain a proper swing plane | Promotes a proper swing plane | Zach |
Common Mistakes When Trying to Hit a Draw
| Mistake | Cause | Effect | Correction | Exercise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overdoing draw | Too much draw bias | Over-compensating | Dial back the bias | Use a less draw-biased club |
| Poor grip | Weak grip | Open clubface | Strengthen grip | Grip strengthening exercises |
| Overactive hands | Manipulating clubface | Inconsistent shots | Use the body to control the swing | Swing with the body and keep hands passive |
| Poor timing | Rushing swing | Inconsistent contact | Slow down the swing | Practice with slower swings |
| Poor alignment | Misaligned stance | Misdirected shots | Realign stance | Use alignment sticks |
Draw Shot Aids and Drills
| Aid/Drill | Purpose | Benefit | Set-up | Repetitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment rods | Swing path | Inside-out path | Parallel to target | 10-15 reps |
| Tee drill | Clubface angle | Closed clubface | Tee outside ball | 10-15 reps |
| Towel drill | Clubface angle | Closed clubface | Towel under armpit | 10-15 reps |
| Foot spray | Impact location | Centered impact | Spray on clubface | 5-10 reps |
| Gate drill | Swing path | Inside-out path | Gate around ball | 10-15 reps |
Course Management for Draw Shots
| Hole Type | Club Selection | Target Line | Wind Factor | Risk Management |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dogleg left | Driver | Right edge | Use right-to-left wind | Avoid left hazards |
| Long Par 4 | 3 Wood | Right-center | Use right-to-left wind | Avoid tight fairways |
| Short Par 4 | 4 Hybrid | Right-center | Use right-to-left wind | Avoid short-sided greens |
| Long Par 5 | 3 Wood | Right edge | Use right-to-left wind | Avoid left out of bounds |
| Short Par 5 | 5 Wood | Right-center | Use right-to-left wind | Avoid aggressive lines |
| Long Par 3 | 5 Iron | Right-center | Use right-to-left wind | Account for slope |
| Medium Par 3 | 7 Iron | Right-center | Use right-to-left wind | Account for slope |
| Short Par 3 | 9 Iron | Right-center | Use right-to-left wind | Account for slope |
| Uphill Hole | Club up | Right-center | Use right-to-left wind | Factor in elevation change |
| Downhill Hole | Club down | Right-center | Use right-to-left wind | Factor in elevation change |
Conclusion:
Learning how to hit a draw in golf can be a game-changer for many players. By focusing on proper setup and alignment, adjusting your grip, shallowing your swing plane, rotating your body through impact, and releasing the club properly, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this sought-after shot shape. Commit to practicing these fundamentals, and you’ll soon be able to shape your shots like a pro.
