How to Hit the Draw in Golf

Learning how to hit a draw shot in golf is essential for the more intermediate to advanced players. It not only gets you around those pesky obstacles, it also helps you around those dog legs, and it has also been proven to add distance too, more so than the fade. However, the draw is relatively difficult to master, and it’s for this reason that I wouldn’t recommend any newbie golfers to attempt to hit a draw until they’re relatively skilled with the golf club in hand.

Respectable golf sources, such as Golfers Digest have carried out several tests to prove that the draw can increase distance. They came to the conclusion that when a golfer hits a draw, the average distance carried was 233 yards. When the same test was repeated for a fade shot, the average distance was just 216 yards. So, by hitting a draw you’re going to gain an average 17 yards every shot (well, almost!).

Here’s how the draw shot is achieved

The stance needed to hit a draw

1. Firstly you need to setup as you would any other shot with your chosen club. This includes grip, alignment, foot positions, posture etc.
2. Then you simply move your feet to the right of the target line slightly. My advice is about 10-15 degrees to start off with. You can adjust it later if need be. Some golfers tend to move out 45 degrees. It just depends on your individual swing plane.
3. Next, your clubface should be pointing in-line with the target and your grip should be slightly firmer than usual.

The swing needed to hit a draw

• There’s nothing complicated about this part. Simply swing in a sweeping motion and swing as you normally would.

Some images of the draw shot in action:

Some tips when attempting the draw

• Test the draw with all the clubs you’re likely to use then make a mental note of how each one turned out.
• Remember to take other things into consideration when hitting a draw shot. Such things as weather conditions, obstacles, position of the green, the slope etc.
• Don’t make any extreme changes in your swing to accommodate a draw, they’re not needed. Simply trust the swing you already have and the stance to do the work for you.
• Don’t attempt any severe right to left hook shots at first. Instead practice with simple ones and work your way up to the more severe draws.

There's only so much this written lesson on how to draw a golf ball can teach you. Get out onto the range and practice, practice, practice! And when you've done practicing, practice some more!