The draw is one of the most difficult shots in golf to master. A lot of golfers who are new to the game struggle with what a draw is, what it looks like, how to hit one, and what its purpose is on the course.
But don’t worry – this blog post will teach you everything you need to know about what a draw shot in golf is and how to execute it properly on the course!
Here's What We'll Cover
What is a draw in golf?
A draw is a type of golf shot that when hit correctly, starts from the right side of the target and curves back slightly towards the target you’re aiming for.
And if you’re a lefty golfer, it would start on the left side of the target and curve back towards the target.
A draw can also add distance to your shots since the shot tends to have a lower loft and spin rate than a fade or standard shot.
In addition, a draw can be used to avoid trees, hills, or anything else that may be in your way!
How do you fade a golf ball?
To draw the golf ball, there are a couple of adjustments you’ll need to make to your golf swing. While they may be uncomfortable at first, with practice, you’ll become more consistent with it!
Here are the four things to keep in mind when hitting a draw shot.
Club Grip
When attempting to hit a draw, you’ll want to hold the golf club with a strong grip.
A strong grip means your dominant hands’ thumb should be on top of the golf club, with the fingers slightly showing on the side.
Swing Path
When attempting to hit a draw, you’ll want a slight inside-to-out motion, which means you start with a narrow swing and end up coming through the ball with a wider swing.
Like the other tips we’ll cover, this will give the ball the ability to draw to the left towards your target.
Club Face
When attempting to hit a draw, you’ll want to have your club face slightly closed.
This means that when you take your backswing, the club face should be looking towards the left of your target if you’re a righty golfer, and to the right of your target if you’re a lefty golfer.
Having a slightly closed club face on contact will cause the ball to curve left, achieving the draw you’re looking to hit.
Golfer Alignment
When attempting to hit a draw, you’ll want to close your stance so your back is faced slightly toward the target.
This allows you to adjust for the draw in the air, with the ball starting to the right of your target so it can draw towards the target.
How to hit a draw with your driver
To hit a draw with your driver every time, here’s what you’ll want to do.
- Start by teeing your ball slightly higher than your normal driver shot.
- Line up your shot about 20-25 yards to the right of the desired target.
- Have a ball position right inside your front heel (left heel for righties, right heel for lefties).
- Close the clubface of your driver slightly, so the ball gets less spin on it.
- Move your right foot back away from the ball, only about 6 inches or less if it’s more comfortable.
- Take an aggressive, inside-to-out swing path and make contact with the ball.
How to hit a draw with your fairway woods
To hit a draw with your fairway woods every time, here’s what you’ll want to do.
- If it’s a tee shot, start by teeing your ball slightly higher than your typical fairway wood shot, keeping it further from the ground.
- Line up your shot about 15-20 yards to the right of the desired target.
- Have a ball position about 3/4 of the way towards your front foot (left heel for righties, right heel for lefties).
- Close the clubface of your wood slightly, so the ball gets less spin on it.
- Move your right foot back away from the ball, only about 6 inches or less if it’s more comfortable.
- Take an aggressive, inside-to-out swing path and make contact with the ball.
How to hit a draw with your irons
To hit a draw with your irons every time, here’s what you’ll want to do.
- Line up your shot about 10-15 yards to the right of the desired target.
- Have a ball position near the center of your stance for short and middle irons. If you’re hitting a long iron, such as a 3, 4 or 5-iron, your ball position can be a few more inches forward in your stance.
- Move your right foot back away from the ball, only about 6 inches or less if it’s more comfortable.
- Close your club face slightly to get less spin on the shot.
- Take an aggressive, inside-to-out swing path and make contact with the ball.
Everything else you should know about a draw in golf
When should you hit a draw?
A lot of golfers draw the ball naturally, but for others, it’s a situational shot.
You should hit a draw when there are hazards in the way, such as sand, water, or trees that you don’t want to hit into.
It can also be helpful when there’s a strong wind in your face, as you can use the lack of spin to your favor and draw the ball back towards your target.
What’s the difference between a draw and a hook?
A draw is a controlled shot with good shaping, while a hook is uncontrollable and often times a mishit.
While they both have similar characteristics, going right to left for righty golfers, and left to right for lefty golfers, a hook has a lot more spin and is a lot harder to control.
That’s why golfers will try to hit a draw shot, and hope to hook a slice at all costs.
Is a fade or draw better in golf?
It was always thought that a draw is a better golf shot to have than a fade, but recently, we’ve seen more and more golfers preferring fades.
At the end of the day, it’s preference and one shot should be more comfortable for you than the other!
Why can’t I draw the ball?
We covered everything you need to do to draw the golf ball earlier, so I’d recommend taking a video of your swing, identifying the issue, and working towards fixing it.
Most amateur golfers don’t need to worry about hitting a draw, but as you’re looking to improve more and more, it’s a great shot to have in your bag!
And if you aren’t able to hit a draw yet, stay focused and you’ll be able to hit one with time.
Final thoughts
Having the ability to hit a draw is a great shot type to have in your bag, but it’s unnecessary for a lot of beginners.
But if you’re looking to hit a draw shot, I’d recommend grabbing a bucket of golf balls from your local driving range, implementing each of the tips we covered in this article, and practicing with the entire bucket.
By the end of your session, you’ll be able to hit a draw much more consistently.
And whether you naturally hit a fade or draw, you can reach your goals. Neither one is better than the other!
