How to Hit a Draw in Golf: The Complete Guide

Learning to hit a draw is often considered a milestone achievement in a golfer’s journey. This controlled right-to-left ball flight (for right-handed golfers) not only looks impressive but can also add significant distance to your shots and help you navigate challenging course layouts. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about mastering the draw.

Understanding the Draw

Before diving into the mechanics, it’s essential to understand what exactly a draw is and how it differs from other shot shapes.

What is a Draw?

A draw is a golf shot that curves intentionally from right to left for right-handed golfers (left to right for left-handed players). Unlike a hook, which curves too much and is generally uncontrolled, a draw features a gentle, predictable curve that can be a powerful weapon in your golf arsenal.

The Science Behind the Draw

The draw shot is created by:

• An in-to-out swing path
• A clubface that’s closed relative to the path but open to the target at impact
• Appropriate spin axis tilt
• Controlled swing speed

Benefits of Hitting a Draw

1. Increased distance due to optimal launch conditions and reduced spin
2. Better ball flight control in varying wind conditions
3. Improved ability to navigate dogleg holes
4. Enhanced shot-making capabilities
5. More consistent ball striking

Essential Setup Elements

Grip Adjustments

The foundation of hitting a draw starts with your grip:

1. Strengthen your lead hand grip (turn it more to the right for right-handed golfers)
2. Position your trail hand slightly stronger as well
3. Maintain pressure points in your fingers rather than your palms
4. Keep overall grip pressure relaxed (5-6 on a scale of 1-10)

Stance and Alignment

Your setup position plays a crucial role in creating the proper conditions for a draw:

• Align your feet and shoulders slightly right of the target
• Position the ball slightly back in your stance (about 1 inch from normal)
• Maintain athletic posture with good spine angle
• Keep your weight distributed evenly between both feet

Body Positioning

The proper body setup helps facilitate the in-to-out swing path needed for a draw:

1. Tilt your spine slightly away from the target
2. Position your trail shoulder slightly lower than your lead shoulder
3. Feel your right hip slightly higher than your left (for right-handed golfers)
4. Maintain flex in your knees

The Drawing Swing Mechanics

Takeaway Phase

The first move away from the ball sets up the entire swing sequence:

1. Keep the clubhead outside your hands in the initial takeaway
2. Maintain connection between your arms and body
3. Allow your wrists to hinge naturally
4. Keep the clubface slightly closed relative to the swing path

Backswing Elements

During the backswing, focus on:

• Turning your shoulders fully while maintaining spine angle
• Keeping your arms in front of your chest
• Allowing your wrists to set naturally
• Maintaining width in your swing arc

The Transition

The transition is crucial for creating the proper in-to-out path:

1. Start the downswing with your lower body
2. Drop your arms down while keeping your back to the target
3. Maintain the angle in your wrists
4. Feel like you’re attacking the ball from the inside

Impact Position

At impact, you should feel:

• Your hands leading the clubhead
• Your body rotating through the shot
• The club traveling slightly from in-to-out
• Your weight favoring your lead foot

Follow-Through

A proper follow-through helps ensure consistency:

1. Release your arms fully through impact
2. Rotate your body toward the target
3. Allow your back heel to come up naturally
4. Finish in a balanced position

Common Mistakes and Solutions

Mistake 1: Over-Rotating the Hands

Many golfers try to create a draw by manually rotating their hands through impact. This usually leads to inconsistent contact and hooks.

Solution:

• Focus on body rotation rather than hand action
• Let the draw happen naturally through proper setup and swing path
• Maintain steady grip pressure throughout the swing

Mistake 2: Improper Swing Path

A common error is swinging too much from the inside, leading to pushes or hooks.

Solution:

• Practice with alignment sticks to groove the proper path
• Feel like you’re swinging to right field (for right-handed golfers)
• Work on shallowing the club in transition

Mistake 3: Poor Weight Transfer

Hanging back on your trail foot can prevent proper impact conditions.

Solution:

• Practice shifting your weight to your lead foot during the downswing
• Feel like you’re covering the ball at impact
• Maintain forward shaft lean through impact

Practice Drills for Drawing the Ball

Gate Drill

Setup:

1. Place two alignment sticks on the ground forming a gate
2. Angle the gate to promote an in-to-out swing path
3. Practice swinging through the gate while maintaining proper face control

Path Trainer Drill

1. Place an alignment stick in the ground at an angle
2. Practice making half swings following the stick’s path
3. Gradually progress to full swings
4. Focus on maintaining the proper swing path while controlling the face

Impact Bag Drill

This drill helps you feel the proper impact position:

1. Position an impact bag at address
2. Practice hitting into the bag with the proper path and face orientation
3. Focus on body rotation and hand position at impact

Building Your Practice Routine

Warm-Up Phase (15 minutes)

1. Stretch key muscle groups
2. Make slow-motion swings focusing on path
3. Hit small draws with short irons
4. Progressively work up to longer clubs

Technical Practice (30 minutes)

1. Start with setup practice using alignment aids
2. Perform path drills with feedback devices
3. Hit shots with varying degrees of curve
4. Practice drawing the ball to specific targets

On-Course Implementation (During Play)

1. Start with drawing shots on the range before the round
2. Choose appropriate holes to attempt draws
3. Have a backup shot ready if needed
4. Keep notes on success rates and adjustments needed

Advanced Concepts

Adjusting Draw Curve

To modify the amount of curve:

• Adjust the difference between face and path angles
• Vary ball position slightly
• Modify setup alignment
• Change swing speed

Shot-Specific Modifications

Driver Draw

• Ball position slightly back of normal
• Tee height slightly lower
• Focus on sweeping motion

Iron Draw

• Ball position middle to slightly back
• Maintain forward shaft lean
• Focus on compression

Drawing Different Clubs

• Adjust setup based on club length
• Modify swing path slightly for different clubs
• Maintain consistent face control principles

Troubleshooting Your Draw

When You’re Hitting Hooks

If the ball is curving too much:

1. Check grip strength
2. Verify alignment
3. Ensure proper swing path
4. Monitor face control
5. Review impact position

When You’re Pushing the Ball

If the ball starts right and stays right:

1. Check face angle at impact
2. Review swing path
3. Verify weight transfer
4. Assess grip pressure
5. Monitor release pattern

Mental Game for Drawing the Ball

Visualization

1. Picture the desired ball flight
2. Imagine the swing path
3. Feel the body movements
4. See the ball curving to the target

Commitment

• Trust the setup changes
• Commit to the swing path
• Accept that some shots may not curve as planned
• Stay patient during the learning process

Conclusion

Mastering the draw shot takes time, patience, and dedicated practice. Remember that the ability to hit a controlled draw is a valuable skill that can significantly improve your game. Start with the fundamentals, practice regularly, and gradually implement the shot on the course.

Key takeaways:

• Focus on proper setup and alignment
• Develop the correct swing path
• Maintain face control through impact
• Practice regularly with purpose
• Be patient during the learning process

With consistent practice and attention to detail, you’ll be hitting controlled draws and adding another valuable shot shape to your golf repertoire.