What Is A Draw In Golf? | 3 Simple Steps To Control Your Ball Flight

The draw. It's the shot that every golfer wants to hit, and yet so few actually do. Why is that? Is it because the draw is too difficult to execute? Or is it because most golfers simply don't understand how to hit one? In this blog post, we'll explore the answer to both and see if we can shed some light on one of golf's most desirable shots.

What Is a Draw, Anyway?

Let's start with the basics. If you're a right-handed golfer hitting a draw will produce a ball flight that has a slight right-to-left movement. For left-handers, it will move left to right.

A draw is the opposite of a fade, a ball with a gentle left-to-right movement. That's all well and good, but what does it actually mean in terms of hitting the ball?

To put it simply, a draw is a controlled shot that starts out straight and then curves gently to the left (or right, for lefties). The key word here is "controlled." A lot of golfers think they're hitting a draw when they're actually just hooking the ball. A hook is an uncontrolled shot that starts to the right (or left) of the target and then continues to move much further in that direction. This is not a quality golf shot.

Why is the draw so desirable?

For one, it adds extra distance. A well-struck draw will travel further than a well-struck fade because of the added spin and the rollout. Second, it's a controllable shot. And lastly, it looks damn good when you hit it flush. There's nothing quite like seeing your ball take that gentle curve through the air and land dead center on the green or in the middle of the fairway.

So how do you hit a draw? Great question! Let's break it down.

How to Hit a Draw

There are a few things you need to do to hit a draw. First, you need to make sure you have the correct grip. Second, you need to set up properly to the ball. Third, you need an inside-to-out swing path. Let's take a look at each of these three things in more detail.

1. The Grip: You want a slightly stronger grip. This means that you should position your hands on the club with the v's (the area between your thumb and index finger) pointing toward your right shoulder. They should be rotated just a bit to the right (clockwise for righties). This will help promote that desired right-to-left spin on the ball.
2. Set up: You want to align your body so that it is square to the target line and then drop your right foot back a couple of inches(for righties). This will help promote an inside-to-out swing. Make sure your shoulders are pointed slightly right of the target.
3. Swing Path: Keep the clubface square and rotate back ever so slightly on the inside. Initiate the downswing by opening your hips to the target while trying to hold your shoulders back. This will give you the feeling of striking the ball from the inside and swinging to the right of the target. Try not to over-rotate your forearms. This may lead to a closed club face and a hook. You want the clubface slightly open pointing to the right of the target at impact. Rotate strongly through the ball with your chest facing the target when you finish your swing.

If you prefer a visual lesson, check out this great video.

So there you have it! That's everything you need to know about a draw in golf and how to execute one of golf's most satisfying shots. Just remember: grip it and rip it! (Or should we say "grip it and flip it"?)

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