Do you fight a nasty slice?
Do your golfing buddies call you “Chiquita” because your shots curve like a banana?
For some of us, learning how to hit a draw in golf can be a real challenge.
Scratch players know how to hit a draw in golf and we’re here to share their secrets with you. With these simple tips, you’ll start lowering your golf handicap today!
Fighting a slice can take the fun out of golf. You lose both distance and accuracy and the more you try to play it, the more you curve it . . .
Below we discuss how a draw golf shot can improve your game and we provide you with 6 techniques to help you execute it consistently.
Let’s get started!
What Is A Draw Golf Shot?
Golf terminology can be a little confusing, so before we go any further let’s make sure we’re talking about the same thing.
A draw is not a hook. A duck hook can hurt your scorecard as much as a snap slice.
Your goal is a nice, tight draw. A draw is when your ball curves 3-5 yards to the left (if you are a right-handed player). If you are a lefty, your draw curves to the right.
Visualize with us. The perfect draw golf shot starts 5 yards to the right of your target and gently curves in.
Learn how to hit a draw in golf and you can make this happen.
Why Learning How To Hit A Draw In Golf Will Help Your Game
You might be wondering – why do I need to hit a draw? Does it really make a difference?
Learning how to hit a draw in golf will help you in three ways.
#1: More Options Are Always Better
The more tools in your toolkit the better. PGA tour players can hit every shot on demand.
You may not be ready for a professional tour, but learning how to hit a draw in golf will allow you to handle certain situations on the course better.
For example, if the flag is located on the left side of the green you can aim at the center and draw the ball towards the hole.
What about a dogleg left par 4? Aim your driver down the center of the fairway and let your draw curve it around the corner.
Instead of just hitting the ball, play golf shots!
#2: Get More Distance Off The Tee
Who amongst us doesn’t want to hit their driver farther?
Learn how to hit a draw in golf and add distance to your game.
Unlike a slice, a draw puts over-spin on the ball. Over-spin means more roll once your ball lands. More roll gives you more distance.
You will instantly gain ~10 yards with a draw versus a slice. It could be more depending on your golf swing.
If some reason you are not interested in hitting your drives farther, feel free to keep playing that slice!
#3: Control Your Ball In The Wind
Learn how to hit a draw in golf and you will immediately become a better wind player. Unfortunately, a slice doesn’t handle the elements well (wind and rain).
The problem with a slice in the wind is that it spins up into the air. This causes your ball to curve even more and fly farther offline.
A draw golf shot does the opposite. It penetrates through the wind and stays online.
One additional advantage of a draw shot in golf is that your ball flight will be lower than a slice. Lower means the wind will impact it less.
Now that we know the “why”, it is time to focus on the “how”.
6 Techniques To Learn How To Hit A Draw In Golf
#1: Is Your Grip Strong Enough?
The way you hold the golf club will impact how well you strike the ball and which way the ball curves.
A strong grip will promote a draw, while a weak grip can promote a cut or slice.
We aren’t talking about grip pressure or the muscles in your hand. A strong or weak golf grip is defined by how your hands are placed on the club.
If you want your grip to help you learn how to hit a draw in golf count your knuckles!
We will explain what we mean assuming you are a right-handed golfer. If you happen to be a lefty, reverse everything.
Grip the club and address the ball. How many knuckles can you see on your left hand? If you can only see one, your grip is too weak!
Twist your left hand slightly until you can see 2-3 knuckles on your left hand. This will strengthen your grip and promote a draw.
#2: Be Open To New Ideas – Close Your Stance
Similar to your grip, your stance can help you learn how to hit a draw in golf before you even start your swing.
You want your stance to be square to your target or even slightly closed. For a right-handed golfer, this means your right foot is slightly behind your left foot.
If the opposite is true (left foot is behind your right foot) your stance is open.
An open stance can cause you to fade or slice the golf ball. An open stance is a common mistake made by golfers who fight a slice.
A “slicer’s” ball curves to the right, so they start aiming more and more to the left. Far too often this ends up creating an open stance and making the slice worse.
#3: Check Your Equipment
Maybe you aren’t the problem! It is possible that your golf clubs are making it nearly impossible to learn how to hit a draw in golf.
There are a couple of different ways your equipment could be working against you.
a) Are You Playing The Correct Shafts?
Do the golf shafts in your clubs match your swing speed? If your shafts are too stiff or not stiff enough this can cause your shots to curve more.
Learning how to hit a draw in golf could be as simple as re-shafting your clubs. The key is to use shafts that are designed to work with how fast you swing the club.
You can learn more on this topic here.
b) Research The Set-up Options On Your Driver
Most drivers made in the last 5-10 years have different setup options. They come with a tool that allows you to loosen the head and adjust configurations.
You can adjust the loft and the angle of the clubface, meaning you can select a setup that will promote a draw.
New golf drivers are now built with technology to help you play better. Make sure you are taking full advantage of these options.
Your club should have come with an instruction booklet, but if you can’t find it simply check out the manufacturer’s website.
Let your clubs help you learn how to hit a draw in golf.
#4: Left Side Of The Tee Box
Golf can be a mental game. Sometimes all you need is a new swing thought or the right way to visualize a shot.
With that in mind, we recommend you tee your ball up on the left side of the tee box if you want to learn how to hit a draw in golf.
It may seem like a small thing, but this type of subtle change can help you hit a draw golf shot.
Teeing your ball up on the left side of the tee box does a couple of things. First, it will help you close your stance slightly as you line up your drive.
Second, it opens the hole up visually. From the left side of the tee box you will be able to see how a draw will start a little to the right and curve back to the middle of the fairway.
#5: Hold Off Your Finish
We have talked about learning how to hit a draw in golf, but we haven’t yet mentioned anything about your golf swing. Here is one swing tip for you to try.
When you want to hit a draw, try holding off your finish. In other words, take a full backswing, but after you make contact stop your forward swing.
An abbreviated follow-through is a great way to hit a tight draw. This is also the perfect way to hit a punch shot (when you are trying to keep the ball under a branch or out of the wind).
#6: Practice On The Driving Range
You may not learn how to hit a draw in golf the first time you try. The driving range is the perfect place to practice it.
Start with one of your middle irons (5, 6, or 7). Begin with half swings – can you make the ball curve from right to left?
Once you do it a few times in a row, try to do it while making a full swing. You aren’t looking for a duck hook, but a small curve to the left.
The next step is your driver. Tee it up high and give it a rip. Are you able to produce a draw?
Don’t get frustrated. You may not be able to do it consistently, but remember how your swing feels when it happens and try to duplicate it.
Before you know it, the golf draw shot will become your normal trajectory.
