Draw the Ball Like the Pros
Learning how to hit a draw is a skill most golfers believe is beyond their reach. But once you master the correct technique, even the average golfer can begin drawing the ball when the situation demands it. Here’s what you need to know to work the ball right to left, for a right-handed golfer.
Hitting Draw with the Driver
- Grip it Strong
You want a square clubface at impact with a slightly inside club path. Your grip plays a major role, so, for a right-handed golfer, place your left hand on top of the grip, with your wrist turned into your body, so that some knuckles are showing. Cover your left thumb with your right hand, with the crease in your right hand angled to your right shoulder. Your palms should face each other. If you can see the knuckles in your right hand, your grip is too weak, making a draw harder. An easy way to check your grip is to cock your wrists up and see if the V’s formed by your thumb and forefinger are pointed up at your trail shoulder. If not, you can strengthen your grip by slightly rotating your hands clockwise.
- Take Aim
Point your feet and shoulders so that they are aimed slightly to the right of your target, but aim your shot right at the target. This is called a closed clubface.
- Right Arm Straight
When your club begins to come down, try to straighten out your right arm. This will create good clubhead speed, promoting a right-to-left path in the flight of the ball. As you do this, keep your right shoulder back for as long as possible. This, in combination with a straight right arm will help the clubface close on time, creating a draw.
- Toe Forward
Not your toe, but the toe of the club. As you hit the ball, try to make sure that the toe of the club is in front of the heel. As you continue your follow-through, the toe of the club should travel farther in front of the heel than it was when you made contact. To do this, the right arm will cross over the left arm as you make contact with the ball. This will create the signature draw arc.
- Control the clubface
The clubface needs to be square at impact and on the right path in order to hit a draw. That process starts by ensuring the clubface stays square during your backswing. Try to feel as though the clubface points at the ball as long as possible on the takeaway. Be sure to rotate the club back with your arms and body, not your hands. At the top of your swing, the ideal hitting position is with the wrist on your top hand flat and in line with your forearm, not cupped, bowed or bent too much.
- Swing Inside-Out
A draw is created with an inside-out swing. Assuming you have kept the clubface square, you will be able to drop the club inside and attack the “inside” of the golf ball. Visualize hitting the ball at 4 p.m. on the clock dial. This will create the inside-to-square club path and proper draw spin on the ball at impact.
- Strong Finish
It is important that you make an aggressive follow-through to hit a draw. If you decelerate, you will likely alter your clubface or path. Drive through to the finish by rotating your chest to face the target.
Hitting Draw with Irons
- Think Swing Path
Irons are shorter in length than the driver, thus easier to control. Focus on rotating back with your body versus manipulating the club with your arms and hands.
- Don’t sway
You must maintain good balance through the golf swing. Since the iron swing is short, you want to make sure you are rotating against the brace of your trail leg on the way back. Return to the ball by rotating your lower body first, allowing the club to move down and inside-to-out and then down your target line. Irons are heavier than your driver, so let the weight of the club rotate you through to a full finish facing the target.
- No Flipping
If you flip your hands at impact, the clubface will close, causing a hook. Control the rotation and squaring of the clubface with your body, not your hands.
Next month, we will look at how to hit a power fade.
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