Of course, nobody is born with all the skills and knowledge required to be a decent golfer, so it takes some initial research and practice before you can even think about bringing new techniques into a real game.
In this article, we’re taking a look at the draw shot, which is an essential part of any good golfer’s repertoire.
Stick around to find out what a draw is, how to pull it off, and how to apply it to a real-life game of golf to get you the win over your buddies!
What Is A Draw In Golf?
Before we get into the specifics of the draw technique, let’s go over exactly what it means.
Essentially, a draw is a type of shot that curves back toward the player. For a right-handed player, this means the ball travels from their right to their left. Of course, a draw for a left-handed golfer would make the ball travel from their left to their right instead.
Typically, the term draw is used to describe a players drive, which is the initial, long-distance shot you’ll hit with your driver club on each full-sized hole. However, better players will chose to hit a draw with various clubs and many different shots depending on the circumstances.
The main difference between a normal drive and a drawing drive is that the draw usually has a lower trajectory than a regular drive. This this creates a more piercing ball flight. The ball spin produced from a drawing shot also produces more roll after the ball hits the ground.
For example, if a right-handed golfer tries to hit a fade shot, they’re aiming to make the ball travel from their left to their right. This type of shot will also stop more quickly after hitting the ground since it will have more back spin.
Step-By-Step Guide For Hitting A Draw In Golf
Now that we understand a little more about what a draw shot is, let’s go over the specifics of the technique used to pull it off.
1. Grip The Club
To begin hitting draws, you need to grip the club correctly. In order to do this, you should hold the club like you normally would for a normal shot.
However, you want to make sure you don’t use too much tension when gripping the club. If you do, then you’ll end up using more force to swing through the shot and will likely miss the intended target.
Instead, try to keep the club loose enough to allow for easy movement but tight enough to ensure that you won’t lose control of the club.
2. Set Up Your Stance And Swing Path
Once you’ve established a good grip, line yourself up facing slightly to the side. For example, if you’re trying to get the ball to swing left, aim slightly to the right. If the opposite is true, aim left.
You also want to line your clubface up so that it is pointing straight at your target. Essentially, your whole body will be facing slightly to the left or right of your target, but the clubface should be pointing directly at it.
Next, you need to set up your swing path. You should aim to create a slight arc to your backswing and follow-through by making a smooth transition from your backswing to your downswing.
This helps to prevent you from losing control of the club during your swing and ensures that you maintain proper form throughout the entire stroke.
While you’re starting out, it’s probably a good idea to try and use a low backswing at first.
When starting your swing, you want to focus on keeping your hands low. By doing this, you’ll help to protect your upper body from injury while also ensuring that you don’t accidentally hook or slice the ball.
3. Follow Through With An Overhand Swing
After setting up your swing path, you can now move on to swinging the club through the shot.
You should be aiming to swing through the same line as your body. Basically, your club will follow the same path as your body is facing, slightly to the right or left (depending on what your dominant hand is).
If your clubface is lined up properly, the contact with the ball at the peak of your downswing will cause it to fly slightly to the desired side of your target
4. Finish With A Solid Follow Through
As any good golfer should know, following through is a key part of any shot. After all, finishing with an effective follow-through is the best way to ensure all the previous steps work effectively.
Quite simply, aim to finish the swing with your chest puffed out slightly and your opposite shoulder pointing towards your target.
The follow-through technique is pretty much the same for every kind of golf shot, so it’s an important thing to master.
When To Use A Draw In Golf
There are many situations in which you may choose to hit a draw instead of a regular shot. For starters, there are times when you might not have enough power to drive the ball long distances.
In these cases, a draw is often a better option than hitting a straight drive because it allows you to play around the green without having to worry about getting into trouble.
Another situation where you may decide to go with a draw is if you’re playing a course that has lots of bunkers and other obstacles.
Hitting a draw on these holes can be a good way to navigate around the obstacles and reduce the risk of landing in a bunker or out of bounds, even if you mess up the shot.
Another reason why you may opt for a draw is if you want to get more spin on the ball. If you do this, you’ll end up with a longer flight time and a higher trajectory.
In fact, factoring in the surrounding wind can be another reason to try and hit a draw. For example, if your target is directly in front of you with no obstacles in the way, a draw shot can be used to combat any sideways wind to get your ball as close as possible to the target.
Conclusion
Drawing shots are useful tools in the bag of any player who wants to improve their game. They’re easy to learn, and they allow you to make adjustments to your swing based on how well you execute them.
So, whether you’re looking to improve your short game or just want to add some variety to your game, drawing shots could be the answer for you!
My name is David Shelly and golf has been my passion since early childhood. For more than three decades now, I’ve been trying to make sense of this crazy game.
Golf is the greatest game ever played. I want to help more people experience its joys. Let's hit the links!
