The slice is one of the most despised shots in golf. Almost every golfer has asked for advice on how to draw a golf ball, rather than striking a slice. Fortunately, a few simple modifications can help you straighten out your ball flight while also boosting your distance off the tee. This article will focus on the draw and what it can offer to your game.
What is a Draw in Golf?
Let’s get started with a basic definition. In golf, a draw is a ball flight that moves slightly right-to-left in a controlled manner for right-handed players, or slightly left-to-right for lefties. The opposite of a fade ball flight is a draw, which moves somewhat left-to-right for righties. A hook is the polar opposite of a slice if it goes too far or too quickly to the right for a right-handed player.
If you don’t hit the ball dead straight, aim for a draw or a fade. The most controllable ball flights are a draw or a fade, so these should always be your aim if you don’t hit the ball dead straight. Let’s look at how to setup and execute a draw shot.
Hitting a Draw with a Driver
The fundamental principles of a golf swing that generates a draw ball flight are constant across the bag, but there are a few nuances to bear in mind when hitting a driver versus an iron. Because the driver is the longest club in the bag and has the lowest loft, controlling the face of the club is critical.
Control the Face of the Club
To hit a draw, you must make sure your clubface does not open too much throughout your golf swing. It’s almost impossible to move the face back to square once it has opened. The amount of sidespin at impact is increased when the face is open, resulting in more curve and slice than necessary. A square clubface with a slightly inside-to-square club drive at impact produces a draw shot. If your grip is solid, the club will follow through naturally and you’ll be able to maneuver it readily. It’s also critical to keep both hands equally square to one another by keeping your top hand more on top of the club than your bottom hand. Raise your wrists up and make sure that the V-shaped indentations created by your thumb and middle finger are pointing up at your trail shoulder. If not, if you are right-handed, slightly twist your hands clockwise to improve your grip.
Keep it Square
To hit a draw, your clubface must be square at impact and on the correct route. That begins with keeping the clubface straight throughout your backswing. On the takeaway, attempt to convince yourself that the clubface points at the ball as long as possible. Remember to rotate the club back with your arms and torso, not your hands. Connectedness aids in reaching the top of your swing without altering the clubface. The ideal hitting position at the top of your swing is with the wrist on your top hand flat and parallel to your forearm, not cupped, bowed, or bent too much.
Activate The Hips
Keep your rear end back and bend at the hips as you rotate. You should sense the significant weight on the inside of your trail leg and on the heel of your back foot. Make sure your trail hip is turned away from the ball while also keeping your spine angle and posture constant. This strong posture will provide you enough space to make an aggressive turn into the ball and give your arms enough room to return in the proper position, rather than moving out and over the top.
The Magic Path – Inside-to-Out
A draw is formed with an inside-to-out golf swing. You must be on the correct club route in order to execute that sort of movement into the golf ball. Assuming you’ve maintained the clubface square and turned backward correctly, you’ll be able to drop the club inside and attack the “inside” of the golf ball. Visualize hitting a tee shot at 4 p.m. on the clock face. This will generate an appropriate draw spin on impact by creating an inside-to-square club path.
Finish Strong
It is critical to execute a draw with force. If you decelerate into the ball and through your follow through, you’ll most likely change the shape of your clubface or route. Finish strong by rotating your chest toward the target while pushing forward through your legs.
Stay Connected
Keeping your arms and body in sync while swinging and employing your major muscles is critical. The majority of golfers use their arms and hands too much to hit the ball with force. Keep your body connected as you swing with more power and accuracy.
Hitting a Draw With Irons
While many of the strategies for hitting a draw with an iron are comparable to those for hitting a draw with a driver, there are some swing ideas that may assist you to distinguish the two.
Swing Path Is Key
Irons are easier to control than drivers because they are shorter in length. Your club is smaller, so your swing should be quicker and less timing is required to execute a draw. Keep your attention on turning back with your body rather than manipulating the club with your arms and hands. The swing that produces a draw naturally happens as you turn forward since you have provided enough room for the club to reach and attack the interior of the ball.
It’s All About The Rotation
A common reason for a missed ball right or left with your irons is that you do not keep your balance throughout the golf swing. Because the iron swing is so brief, make certain you’re rotating counterclockwise against your trail leg’s brace on the way back. To return to the ball, start by spinning your lower body first and then allow the club to slide down and inside-to-out before dropping down towards your target line. Because iron clubs are heavier than drivers, it’s important for you to rotate yourself through to a full conclusion facing toward the target.
Don’t Flip Your Hands
The techniques for hitting a draw help you avoid a slice, but many golfers still rotate their hands at impact turning the face closed and producing a hook. With your body, not your hands, control the clubface’s rotation and positioning.
