The draw (right to left for right-handers) is not a natural ball flight for most golfers but if you want added distance and extra roll, we will show you how to achieve that. Learning how to hit a draw with a driver takes practice, good fundamentals and confidence.
Checklist for hitting a draw with a driver
The easiest way to hit a draw with a driver is to attack the process step by step. You’ll make most of the adjustments necessary to hit a draw before you swing the club back.
Step 1: Check your driver settings
If you have an adjustable driver, you may consider making it a bit more draw-biased. The draw-bias setting will close the clubface slightly and make hitting a draw a bit easier. If you aren’t comfortable changing it to a draw bias, at least ensure the driver head is set at neutral.
Step 2: Setup adjustments
You can make some tweaks to your setup that make it much easier to hit a draw. These adjustments include:
- Dropping your trail foot back slightly at address, even just an inch, allows you to create a more inside-outside swing path.
- Ensure your hips and shoulders are square or just slightly closed to your target line. Some players like to feel their trail shoulder drop back an inch or two.
- Place the ball forward in your stance, inside the lead heel.
- Your grip should be neutral to slightly strong. Too weak a grip can leave the clubface open, making it harder to hit a draw.
Step 3: Clubface angle
Get your clubface set up in the correct position. Align the clubface a little left of your swing path. Your body line and swing path are still going to be right of your target. Getting set up with the clubface in this position will help eliminate additional manipulation of the face during the swing.
Step 4: Inside-to-outside swing path
To hit a draw, the club must travel on an inside-to-outside path relative to the target line. This path allows the clubhead to approach the ball from the inside, creating the sidespin necessary for the ball to curve left (for a right-handed golfer).
Step 5: Trust the swing path
The majority of the work required to hit a draw happens in the setup. Once you are set up properly, you have to visualize and trust the swing path.
The path will be a little inside with a shallow swing plane, then it moves outward. Many golfers are afraid to swing out to the right of the target for fear of a slice. However, if you make the necessary setup adjustments and your clubface is square or slightly closed to the path, you’ll turn the ball over with a nice draw.
Drills to practice hitting a draw
One of the best drills for hitting a draw is to set up with some alignment lines. One alignment stick is your target line and another is slightly right to match your swing path. Set these up in front of your tee so you have the proper visual as you practice hitting a draw.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
If you have adjusted your setup and swing path but are still struggling to hit a draw, it could be due to these reasons.
Overdoing the inside path
The swing path to hit a draw is slightly inside to out. If you take the club inside too quickly or too severely, it can lead to a block or a hook. When making any adjustments in your swing, keep them minimal. Keep your takeaway slow, low and extended so the club doesn’t go inside too quickly.
Clubface is open at impact
An open clubface at impact will keep you from hitting the draw. The first thing to check here is your grip. If your grip is weak, you may not be able to rotate the face through impact. Strengthen your grip slightly by turning your hands to the right (for a right handed player) and use it to help you square the club through impact.
Ball too far back in the stance
If the ball position is too far back, you may strike the ball while the clubface is still too open. This creates a slightly steeper angle of attack, which can cause a slice or a fade. Keep the ball position forward when hitting a driver with a draw.
Final thoughts
You don’t have to change your swing to hit a draw. All you need to change is your setup. Once you make these necessary adjustments, you can tweak them to create the ideal degree of draw you’re seeking. Practice hitting a draw on the range with alignment sticks and you’ll have an easier time understanding what it takes to get your driver to draw.
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