How to Hit a Draw: Step-by-Step for Right and Left Handers

A draw — a right-to-left ball flight for right-handed golfers — is considered the 'power shot' in golf. Most long hitters play a draw because it reduces spin and creates more roll. But hitting a draw on command requires understanding the two factors that control ball flight: clubface angle and swing path. Here's the complete method.

Ball Flight Laws: What Makes a Draw

A draw requires two things: the swing path must go right of the target at impact, AND the face must be closed relative to that path (but still pointing right of the target). When the face is slightly closed to the path, the ball starts right (path direction) and curves left toward the face angle. Understanding this eliminates the mystery.

Pro Tip: The face is 85% responsible for starting direction. The path is responsible for the curve. Fix the face first, then the path.

Draw Setup

To promote a draw: (1) Aim your body (feet, hips, shoulders) slightly right of target. (2) Aim clubface at the target (slightly closed to your body alignment). (3) Move ball position slightly back of your normal position for the club — this encourages the in-to-out path. (4) Strengthen your grip slightly (turn both hands slightly clockwise for right-handers). This setup creates draw-favorable conditions.

Pro Tip: Don't overdo the alignment — 10-15 degrees right of target is enough. Huge alignments create awkward swings.

The Swing Path Adjustment

Swing along your feet and body line — which is aimed right of target. This creates the in-to-out swing path that creates draw-producing ball flight. The key is to swing where your feet are pointing and not instinctively correct back to the target. Many golfers aim right but then swing toward the target anyway — eliminating the draw path.

Pro Tip: On the range, set alignment sticks pointing slightly right of target and swing through them — keep the club head traveling along those rods.

Forearm Rotation Through Impact

A draw requires the clubface to close at impact. This happens through forearm rotation: the trail forearm rolls over the lead forearm through the hitting zone. Feel like the toe of the club is 'turning over' at impact. Many golfers who struggle with draws hold the face open through impact — releasing the forearms more aggressively is often the fix.

Pro Tip: Feel like you're hitting a topspin forehand in tennis — the same forearm rollover motion that closes a tennis racket closes the golf clubface.

Common Draw Mistakes

1. Over-hooking: face is too closed relative to path — the ball goes left immediately, not starting right and curving. Fix: slightly weaken the grip. 2. Pull-draw: body is aimed too far right, ball starts left of alignment. Fix: reduce body aim right. 3. Straight shot despite draw setup: face is still aligned with body, not at the target. Fix: aim face at target, not body line.

Pro Tip: Hits that start right and go further right are fades, not draws — the face is open to the path. The draw requires path right of face.

Practicing the Draw

Range practice: set a secondary target slightly right of your primary target. Hit balls trying to start them toward the secondary target and curve to the primary target. Film from behind to verify path direction. Gradually increase the curve as you build confidence. On the course, start with a 3-5 yard draw before trying 15-yard draws.

Pro Tip: Hit half-shots first — the slower speed makes it easier to feel the face and path relationship before adding full power.

Key Takeaways

→ Draw = path right of target + face closed to path (but open to target)
→ Setup: aim body right, aim face at target, ball back slightly
→ Swing along foot line — not toward target
→ Forearm rollover through impact closes the face for the draw
→ GOATY measures your swing path in real-time — see if you're truly swinging right of target

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