Correcting a Draw in Your Golf Shots

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes

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Quick Answer

• Dial in your clubface alignment at address to be neutral or slightly open.
• Focus on a swing path that travels from the inside to the outside relative to your target line.
• Experiment with weakening your grip to reduce unwanted hand rotation.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who find themselves consistently hitting shots that curve too much from right to left (if you’re a righty).
• Players who want to dial in their accuracy and gain more control over their ball flight.
• Anyone trying to understand the mechanics behind a draw and how to neutralize it.

What to Check First

• Your current grip pressure and how your hands are positioned on the club.
• The clubface angle at address relative to your intended target line. Is it square, closed, or open?
• Your swing path. Are you coming from too far inside on your downswing?
• Your body alignment at address. Are your feet, hips, and shoulders aimed correctly?

Step-by-Step Plan to Fix a Draw in Golf

• Assess Your Grip: Take a good, long look at your hands on the club. Is your lead hand rotated too far clockwise? That’s a strong grip, and it can definitely contribute to a draw or even a hook. For a right-handed golfer, look for the “V” formed by your thumb and index finger on your lead hand pointing towards your right shoulder. Mistake: A grip that’s too weak (lead hand rotated too far counter-clockwise) can cause the clubface to stay open, leading to slices. We’re trying to avoid over-correction here.

• Adjust Clubface at Address: This is a big one. Deliberately align the clubface slightly open to your target line. The clubface should appear to be aimed more directly at your actual target than your body alignment. Think of it as pointing the clubface where you want the ball to go, even if your feet are aimed a touch left. Mistake: Overcorrecting and aiming the clubface way too far right. This can lead to a massive slice, and nobody wants that.

• Neutralize Stance and Alignment: Now, let’s get your body dialed in. Ensure your body – feet, hips, and shoulders – is aligned parallel left of your target. Imagine you’re standing on the inside rail of a set of train tracks, and your target is way down the outside rail. This setup encourages a swing that travels more out towards the target. Mistake: Aligning your body directly at the target. This is a common setup that often encourages an inside-out swing path, which, you guessed it, can deepen your draw.

• Focus on Swing Path: This is where the magic happens. You want to work on swinging the clubhead from the inside of your target line, moving towards the outside through impact. Think about swinging out and away from your body towards your target. It’s about the direction the clubhead is traveling. Mistake: Swinging too much from the inside to the extreme outside. This is the classic “over-the-top” move that can lead to slices, but an exaggerated inside-out path can also over-exaggerate your draw. Find that sweet spot.

• Check Hand Action: Pay close attention to how your hands release through impact. Excessive rotation or “rolling” of the lead hand can close the clubface too quickly. This is often the main culprit for hooks, which are just an extreme version of a draw. Mistake: Trying to “help” the ball turn over with your hands. Let the club do the work, and focus on a smooth release rather than an aggressive hand flip.

• Visualize the Shot: Before you swing, picture the ball starting slightly right of your target and curving gently back towards it. This mental image can help guide your body and club through the correct motion. Mistake: Visualizing a straight shot or a hook. If you’re trying to fix a draw, you need to visualize the desired outcome.

• Practice with Purpose: Take a bucket of balls and focus on one change at a time. Start with grip adjustments, then move to clubface alignment, and finally, work on your swing path. Don’t try to fix everything at once. Mistake: Hitting balls aimlessly without focusing on the specific adjustments you’re trying to make.

Common Mistakes When Trying to Fix a Draw

• Over-rotating the Lead Hand — This action causes the clubface to close too early through impact, resulting in a hook. — Weaken your grip by rotating your lead hand counter-clockwise slightly at address. This reduces the tendency to roll your hands over.

• Aiming Too Far Left (for right-handers) — While aiming left can help counteract a draw, aiming too far left can lead to an exaggerated inside-out swing path, potentially making the draw worse or causing other issues. — Align your body parallel left of the target, but don’t feel like you have to aim drastically left. Focus on a neutral clubface relative to that alignment.

• Excessive Body Rotation — Trying to muscle the ball can cause the club to come from the inside too aggressively, deepening the draw. — Focus on a more neutral hip and shoulder turn through the shot. Let your body unwind naturally rather than forcing it.

• Not Checking Clubface: Relying solely on swing path adjustments without checking the clubface at address and through impact can lead to inconsistent results. — Always ensure your clubface is square or slightly open to your intended swing path at address. It’s a partnership between path and face.

• Trying to Hit a Fade Instead: Sometimes, golfers trying to fix a draw end up trying to hit a fade, which is the opposite curve. This can lead to overcompensating and creating new problems. — Focus on neutralizing the draw first. Once you have control, you can then work on hitting controlled fades if desired.

• Ignoring Ball Flight Laws: Not understanding that the ball starts based on the clubface direction and curves based on the swing path relative to the face can lead to confusion. — Remember: Clubface dictates start direction, swing path dictates curve.

FAQ

• What exactly is a golf draw?

A golf draw is a shot that curves gently from right to left for a right-handed golfer (or left to right for a left-handed golfer). It’s a desirable shot in golf when it’s controlled, as it can produce more distance and a better angle into the green.

• How does my grip affect a draw?

Your grip is foundational. A strong grip, where your lead hand is rotated too far clockwise (for a righty), encourages the clubface to close through impact. This is a primary reason for hitting draws and hooks. Weakening your grip by rotating your lead hand slightly counter-clockwise can help neutralize this tendency.

• What is the ideal swing path for a neutral shot?

For a neutral shot, the ideal swing path is generally slightly from the inside to square or slightly outside through impact, with a square clubface relative to the target. It’s about balance – not too inside, not too outside.

• Can I fix an excessive draw by just swinging harder?

No, swinging harder without addressing the underlying mechanical cause will likely just make the draw more pronounced or turn it into a hook. Speed without control is just chaos. Technique is key to fixing this issue.

• How much should I open the clubface at address to fix a draw?

Start with a very slight adjustment. You’re looking for a subtle change, not a dramatic one that feels unnatural. It should feel almost imperceptible at first. Too much and you’ll be slicing. Make small adjustments and see how the ball reacts.

• If I have a draw, should I aim left to hit the ball straight?

If your primary problem is an excessive draw, aiming your body parallel left of your target with a slightly open clubface can help you swing more directly at the target and neutralize the curve. However, the ultimate goal is to fix the underlying cause so you can aim directly at your target.

• What’s the difference between a draw and a hook?

A draw is a controlled, gentle curve from right to left (for a righty). A hook is a much more severe, often uncontrolled, curve from right to left, sometimes even starting left and curving further left. A hook is essentially an overdone draw.