How to Hit a Draw Chip Shot in Golf

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick Answer

• A draw chip is a shot that curves from right to left for a right-handed golfer.
• It’s achieved through a combination of a slightly closed clubface, a narrower stance, and an in-to-out swing path.
• Mastering this shot adds a valuable tool to your short game arsenal, offering control and strategic advantage.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who want to add more variety and precision to their short game, especially around the greens.
• Players looking to overcome rightward misses and gain a reliable shot shape for specific situations.
• Anyone who enjoys refining their skills and adding a bit of flair to their game.

What to Check First for Your Draw Chip

• Your Wedge: Make sure you’re using a wedge you’re comfortable with, usually a sand wedge or lob wedge. The loft is key here.
• Your Grip: Check that your grip is neutral or slightly closed. This sets the stage for the clubface angle at impact.
• Your Stance: Ensure your stance is narrower than your normal chipping stance. This promotes a more controlled body rotation.
• Clubface Alignment: At address, confirm your clubface is aimed slightly left of your intended target line. This is crucial for the draw.
• Ball Position: Typically, you’ll want the ball positioned slightly further back in your stance than for a standard chip.

Step-by-Step Plan for How to Draw Chip

• Select the Right Club – Grab a wedge with sufficient loft. A sand wedge or lob wedge is usually your best bet for this shot.
• What to look for: A club that allows for a controlled trajectory and the ability to impart spin. You want it to land softly and roll predictably.
• Mistake: Using a club that’s too long or has too little loft. This will make it harder to get the ball up and over obstacles, and it won’t respond as well to the technique. I learned this the hard way on a tight lie once.
• Adjust Your Grip – For a right-handed golfer, grip the club with your hands slightly turned clockwise on the grip. This means your left hand is more on top, and your right hand is more underneath.
• What to look for: A grip that feels comfortable and naturally promotes a slightly closed clubface at address and through impact. It shouldn’t feel forced, just a subtle adjustment.
• Mistake: Gripping too tightly. This restricts your wrists and wrists are crucial for controlling the clubface and generating the necessary lag. Relax your hands!
• Set Up Your Stance – Narrow your stance, placing your feet closer together than you would for a standard chip. Aim for about shoulder-width or slightly less.
• What to look for: A stable base that allows for controlled body rotation through the shot. You want to feel balanced and grounded.
• Mistake: A stance that is too wide. This can hinder your body’s ability to rotate smoothly and can lead to a more “armsy” swing, which is counterproductive for this shot.
• Align Your Clubface – Aim the clubface slightly left of your ultimate target. The degree to which you close it depends on how much draw you want.
• What to look for: The clubface pointing where you want the ball to start its flight. It should feel slightly shut relative to your body alignment.
• Mistake: Leaving the clubface open. This is the most common reason a draw chip turns into a fade or goes straight. You’re essentially fighting the intended ball flight from the start.
• Initiate an In-to-Out Path – This is where the magic happens. Swing the clubhead from slightly inside your body line towards the outside. Think of swinging along the line of your feet, but with the clubhead moving from the inside of that line to the outside through impact.
• What to look for: A gentle, sweeping arc that guides the clubhead towards the ball from the inside. It’s not about a violent move, but a smooth acceleration.
• Mistake: Swinging too far inside or making a “scooping” motion. An excessively inside swing can lead to a severe hook, while scooping kills solid contact and control. Focus on the low point of your swing staying consistent.
• Maintain Your Posture – It’s vital to keep your spine angle consistent throughout the swing. Resist the urge to stand up or “pop” out of your stance through impact.
• What to look for: Maintaining that athletic bend in your knees and your tilted torso angle from address all the way through the follow-through.
• Mistake: Standing up too early. This causes a loss of connection between your body and the club, leading to inconsistent contact, loss of power, and an inability to control the clubface.
• Execute a Smooth Stroke – Focus on a fluid, pendulum-like motion. The backswing and downswing should have a similar length and tempo.
• What to look for: A controlled, unhurried tempo. It’s a finesse shot, not a power shot. Think of it as pushing the ball with a smooth stroke.
• Mistake: Trying to “hit” or “flip” at the ball. This often results in poor contact, a loss of control, and an inability to achieve the desired draw shape. It’s about guiding the club, not forcing it.
• Follow Through Naturally – Allow the club to swing through to a balanced finish. The natural release of the clubface, combined with the in-to-out path and closed face, will impart the draw spin.
• What to look for: A finish that feels balanced and controlled, with the club finishing in front of you.
• Mistake: Decelerating or stopping the swing abruptly after impact. This kills the momentum needed for solid contact and proper spin generation. Let the club do the work.

How to Draw Chip: Key Considerations and Ball Flight

Understanding how to draw chip effectively involves more than just the mechanics; it’s about knowing when and why. This shot is designed to curve the ball from right to left for a right-handed player. This means the ball will start slightly to the right of your target and then curve back towards it. The amount of curve is influenced by several factors: the degree to which your clubface is closed at address and impact, the angle of your swing path (how much in-to-out you are), and the loft of the club you are using. A more closed clubface and a more pronounced in-to-out swing path will result in a greater draw. Conversely, a less closed face and a more neutral swing path will produce a straighter shot or a slight fade.

The beauty of the draw chip is its versatility. It’s particularly useful when you have an obstacle, like a tree or a bunker, to the right of your intended line to the pin. By starting the ball to the right and drawing it back, you can safely navigate around these hazards. It’s also excellent for getting the ball to roll out towards the hole on greens that slope from left to right. The draw spin can help the ball settle down more quickly after landing, preventing it from running past the hole or into a difficult spot. For many golfers, this shot can also feel more natural and less prone to the dreaded “over-the-top” slice that many struggle with on standard chip shots. It’s about using the geometry of the golf course and your club to your advantage.

Common Mistakes in Drawing Chip Shots

• Clubface Too Open — The ball will go straight or even fade. You need that slightly closed face at address and impact to get the ball to curve left. This is the most common error.
• Why it matters: An open face forces the ball to start right and continue right, defeating the purpose of the draw.
• Fix: Focus on the grip adjustment and ensure the clubface is aimed left of your target at setup. Visualize the clubface “looking” at where you want the ball to start.
• Swinging Too Far Inside — The ball will hook excessively, potentially going way left of your target. Aim for a gentle in-to-out path, not a wild slice swing.
• Why it matters: An extreme in-to-out path, especially combined with a closed face, can cause the ball to hook sharply and unpredictably.
• Fix: Concentrate on a smooth, controlled swing path. Think of swinging along the line of your feet, but with the clubhead releasing slightly outside that line. Avoid trying to force the club “around” the ball.
• Standing Up Through the Shot — You’ll lose power, control, and solid contact. Keep your posture solid throughout the swing.
• Why it matters: Standing up early disconnects your body from the club, leading to inconsistent strikes and an inability to control the clubface angle.
• Fix: Maintain your spine angle and knee flex from address to finish. Feel your chest turning through the shot rather than your body rising up.
• Gripping Too Tightly — This restricts your wrists and kills the feel required for delicate shots. Loosen up, man.
• Why it matters: A death grip prevents the subtle wrist hinge and release needed to square the clubface and impart spin.
• Fix: Imagine holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing it out. Your grip should be firm enough to control the club but relaxed enough to allow for natural wrist action.
• Trying to “Flip” at the Ball — You’re not trying to scoop it; it’s a controlled stroke with body rotation.
• Why it matters: Flipping your wrists often leads to thin or fat shots and a loss of control over the clubface.
• Fix: Focus on a smooth, pendulum-like swing driven by your body’s rotation. The hands and wrists should release naturally through impact, not be the primary force.
• Incorrect Ball Position — Ball too far forward can lead to an open face at impact, while too far back can cause you to hit it on the heel or too low.
• Why it matters: Ball position dictates the clubface angle at impact and the quality of your strike.
• Fix: Experiment with placing the ball slightly further back in your stance than a standard chip. It should be in line with your back foot or slightly forward of it.
• Overthinking the Swing — Trying too hard to manufacture the curve can lead to tension and poor execution.
• Why it matters: Golf is a game of feel and rhythm. Too much conscious thought about the swing path or clubface can disrupt natural motion.
• Fix: Focus on one or two key elements at a time, like the setup or the in-to-out path. Trust that with the correct setup, a smooth swing will produce the desired result.

FAQ

• What is a draw chip shot in golf?

A draw chip shot is a specific type of chip shot designed to curve from right to left for a right-handed golfer. This ball flight is achieved by setting up with a slightly closed clubface, a narrower stance, and swinging the club on an in-to-out path relative to the target line.

• When is a draw chip shot most useful?

This shot is incredibly useful when you have an obstacle, such as trees or bunkers, to the right of your intended line to the pin. It’s also beneficial when you need the ball to land softly and then roll towards the hole, especially on greens that slope from left to right. It provides a strategic advantage for navigating course features and influencing the ball’s roll.

• What club is best for hitting a draw chip?

Typically, a sand wedge or a lob wedge is preferred for hitting a draw chip. These clubs have sufficient loft to get the ball airborne quickly and allow for good control over the trajectory and spin needed for the draw. The loft helps manage the landing and subsequent roll.

• How much curve should I expect from a draw chip?

The amount of curve can vary significantly based on your technique and the specific setup. You’re aiming for a controlled, gentle curve, not a sharp, aggressive hook. Factors like the degree of clubface closure at address, the swing path angle, and the loft of the club all influence the resulting ball flight. Practice is key to dialing in the desired amount of curve.

• Can beginners learn to hit a draw chip?

Yes, beginners can learn to hit a draw chip, but it requires dedicated practice and a good understanding of the fundamentals. It’s not usually the first chip shot to master, but by focusing on the setup (grip, stance, clubface) and a smooth, controlled swing, beginners can gradually develop this skill. Patience is crucial.

• What if my draw chip hooks too much?

If your draw chip is hooking too much, it typically means one of two things: your clubface is too closed at impact, or your in-to-out swing path is too extreme. To fix this, try opening the clubface slightly at address or through impact, or focus on making a more neutral swing path rather than an exaggerated in-to-out one. Ease up on both the face angle and the path.

• How does ball position affect a draw chip?

For a draw chip, the ball is generally played slightly further back in your stance compared to a standard chip. This helps encourage the clubface to be slightly closed at impact and promotes an in-to-out swing path, both of which are essential for creating the draw. Placing the ball too far forward can lead to an open clubface and a fade.