How to Hit a Draw Shot in Golf

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Quick Answer

• A draw is a golf shot that curves gently from right to left for a right-handed golfer.
• Achieve this by swinging from the inside to out and ensuring the clubface is slightly closed at impact.
• Practice drills focused on swing path and clubface control are your best bet for mastering this shot.

Who This Is For

• Golfers looking to add a new dimension of control and power to their drives and iron shots.
• Players who struggle with a slice and want a reliable shot shape to counter it, or simply want to hit the ball further.

What to Check First

• Your Grip: This is foundational. For a draw, you want a neutral to slightly strong grip. For a right-handed golfer, this means your right hand is positioned slightly under your left hand on the club. Check the manual for your club or manufacturer’s website if unsure.
• Ball Lie: While you can hit a draw from a flat lie, a slight downhill lie can actually help encourage the necessary in-to-out swing path. Don’t fight it if the ball is sitting a little lower on the right.
• Club Selection: Make sure the club you’re using is appropriate for your swing. Sometimes, a club that’s too stiff or too flexible can make it harder to control the clubface and path. Check the manufacturer’s specs.
• Body Alignment: This is huge. You’ll need to aim your body slightly to the right of your target to facilitate the in-to-out swing. Get this right before you even think about swinging.

Step-by-Step Plan: How to Draw in Golf

This is where the magic happens. It takes a bit of feel, but once you get it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.

1. Aim Your Body Slightly Right of the Target: This is your setup. Instead of aligning your feet, hips, and shoulders directly at your intended target, aim them a few yards to the right. This creates the necessary angle for an in-to-out swing path.

• What to look for: You should feel like your body is pointing off the intended line of the ball’s flight. It’s a subtle shift, not a drastic one.
• Mistake to avoid: Aiming your body too far right. This can lead to an overly aggressive in-to-out path and a severe hook that goes way off course, or worse, a push to the right if you don’t square the face. Start with a subtle adjustment.

2. Adopt a Neutral to Slightly Strong Grip: For a right-handed golfer, a neutral grip means you can see about two to three knuckles on your left hand when you look down. To get slightly stronger, turn your right hand clockwise on the club, so you see three to four knuckles. This encourages the clubface to close through impact.

• What to look for: Your right hand should feel like it’s a bit more “underneath” the club compared to a neutral grip. This position helps the club naturally rotate closed.
• Mistake to avoid: Maintaining a weak grip. A weak grip makes it much harder for the clubface to close through impact, which is essential for a draw. You’ll fight it the whole way.

3. Swing on an In-to-Out Path: This is the core mechanic. During your downswing, feel like you are swinging the clubhead out towards right field (for a righty) or towards the right side of the golf course, rather than directly down the line of your target. Imagine swinging “around” the ball.

• What to look for: A feeling of width in your swing and a sense that the club is moving away from your body on the downswing. You want to feel like you’re pushing the clubhead out towards the target line after impact.
• Mistake to avoid: Swinging from out-to-in. This is the classic slicing motion where the club approaches the ball from outside the target line and cuts across it. This will kill your draw before it even starts.

4. Focus on Clubface Control Through Impact: While the in-to-out path is crucial, the clubface must be slightly closed relative to that path at the moment of impact. Ideally, the clubface should be aimed closer to your actual target than your swing path.

• What to look for: A feeling of the clubhead releasing through the ball. The toe of the club should naturally pass the heel. It’s not about actively forcing it shut, but allowing it to happen.
• Mistake to avoid: Having an open clubface at impact. This will counteract your in-to-out path and result in a push or a slice, negating all your efforts.

5. Maintain a Smooth Tempo and Transition: Don’t rush the swing. A jerky or hurried transition from backswing to downswing often leads to a loss of control over both the swing path and the clubface. A smooth, rhythmic swing is key to consistency.

• What to look for: A feeling of unhurried movement. The backswing should wind up, and the downswing should unwind smoothly. Think of it like a pendulum.
• Mistake to avoid: Trying to “hit from the top” or snatching the club inside on the backswing. These aggressive moves disrupt the natural flow and make it incredibly difficult to control where the clubface is pointing.

6. Practice with Purpose: Dedicate some time on the range to specifically working on this shot. Use alignment sticks to help visualize your body and swing path. Start with shorter swings and gradually increase your power as you gain confidence.

• What to look for: Consistent ball flight that curves as intended. Track your misses and understand why they are happening.
• Mistake to avoid: Giving up too easily. Learning a new shot shape takes repetition. Don’t get discouraged by a few bad shots; focus on the process.

Troubleshooting Your Draw Shot

If you’re struggling to get the ball to draw, or if it’s turning into something else, here are a few things to check.

• Hooking the Ball Too Much? This usually means your clubface is closing too much relative to your swing path, or your path is too far inside. Try weakening your grip just a touch, or focus on keeping the clubface a little less closed. Sometimes, it’s as simple as not aiming your body quite so far right.
• Still Slicing or Pushing the Ball? This is more common. It likely means your swing path isn’t in-to-out enough, or your clubface is still too open at impact. Revisit your body alignment—are you really aiming right? And focus on that feeling of swinging out to the right. You might also be trying to “help” the ball, which is usually counterproductive.
• Ball Flight is Too Low? Sometimes, trying to force a draw can lead to a flatter, less dynamic ball flight. Ensure you’re making a full, committed swing and not trying to manipulate the club too much.

Common Mistakes

These are the usual suspects when golfers try to hit a draw. Watch out for these.

• Overswinging — Trying to hit the ball too hard can lead to a loss of control, resulting in an uncontrolled hook or a slice. — Focus on maintaining a smooth, consistent tempo throughout your swing and a controlled backswing.
• Aiming Too Far Right — While you need to aim right, aiming excessively far right can cause you to swing too steeply inside or cause an overly aggressive hook. — Start with subtle adjustments in body alignment and gradually increase if needed.
• Clubface Too Open at Impact — This is the death knell for a draw. If the clubface is still open when it strikes the ball, you’ll likely get a slice or a push, regardless of your swing path. — Focus on the feeling of releasing the club and allowing the clubface to naturally close through impact.
• Incorrect Grip — A weak grip makes it extremely difficult to get the clubface to close. If your hands are positioned too much on top of the club, you’re fighting an uphill battle. — Ensure your grip is neutral or slightly strong for a draw. This is the foundation.
• Not Trusting the Swing Path — Many golfers, especially those who slice, have an ingrained out-to-in swing path. It can feel unnatural to swing in-to-out. — Trust the feeling of swinging out towards right field. It might feel odd at first, but it’s essential for the draw.
• Trying to “Scoop” the Ball — Some golfers try to lift the ball into the air to help it curve. This usually results in a loss of power and control. — Focus on a descending blow and letting the club’s loft do the work. The draw shape comes from the path and face, not extra effort.
• Incorrect Setup Angle — If your body alignment isn’t set correctly, you’ll struggle to achieve the proper swing path. — Pay close attention to aiming your feet, hips, and shoulders slightly right of the target.

FAQ

• What is a draw shot in golf?

A 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 often considered a more powerful and controlled shot than a straight ball because it typically involves a slight closing of the clubface through impact, which can add distance and accuracy.

• How can I tell if my grip is too strong or too weak?

With a neutral grip for a right-handed player, you should see about two to three knuckles on your left hand when you look down at address. Your right hand should be positioned so that your lead thumb (left thumb) fits into the palm of your right hand. A strong grip will show more knuckles on your left hand (three to four) and your right hand will be more “on top” of the club. A weak grip shows fewer knuckles on your left hand (one or two) and your hands will feel more “on the sides” of the club. For a draw, a slightly stronger grip is often beneficial.

• What is the ideal swing path for a draw?

The ideal swing path for a draw is an “in-to-out” path relative to your target line. This means the club approaches the ball from the inside of the target line and swings outward towards the right of the target. This path, combined with a slightly closed clubface, imparts the desired right-to-left curve.

• Can I hit a draw with every club in my bag?

Yes, you can learn to hit a draw with every club, but it’s generally easier with longer clubs like drivers and fairway woods. These clubs have less loft and longer shafts, which naturally promote a wider swing arc and make it easier to achieve an in-to-out path and a closing clubface. It’s more challenging with shorter irons and wedges due to their steeper loft and shorter shafts, but still achievable with practice.

• How much curve should a draw have?

A good draw has a gentle, controlled curve, typically between 5 and 15 yards. This is often referred to as a “baby draw.” A severe curve that goes too far left is called a hook, which is usually undesirable as it can lead to losing control of the ball and missing the target significantly. The goal is controlled curvature.

• Does the lie of the ball affect my ability to hit a draw?

Yes, it can. While you can hit a draw from a perfectly flat lie, a slight downhill lie can actually help encourage the in-to-out swing path needed for a draw. The ground slopes away from you on the right, which can naturally guide your swing path more to the inside. Conversely, an uphill lie can make it harder to swing in-to-out.

• What are the benefits of hitting a draw?

Hitting a draw offers several advantages. Firstly, it can add distance to your drives because the closing clubface imparts more spin and a more penetrating ball flight. Secondly, it can be more accurate for some players, especially those who tend to slice, as the curving motion can help bring the ball back towards the fairway. Finally, it adds variety to your game, allowing you to shape shots around obstacles or play different types of holes.

Sources

[1] How to Hit a Draw Shot in Golf: Step-by-Step Guide: https://golfhubz.com/how-to-hit-a-draw-shot-in-golf-step-by-step-guide

[2] Mastering the Draw Shot in Golf: https://golfhubz.com/mastering-the-draw-shot-in-golf

[3] How to Hit A Draw Golf Shot: Step-by-Step Guide: https://golfhubz.com/how-to-hit-a-draw-golf-shot-step-by-step-guide

[4] Techniques for Hitting a Draw in Golf: https://golfhubz.com/techniques-for-hitting-a-draw-in-golf

[5] Learning to Hit a Draw in Golf: Techniques and Tips: https://golfhubz.com/learning-to-hit-a-draw-in-golf-techniques-and-tips