Golf Tips & How to Hit a Draw With a Driver

Many golfers strive to hit a draw shot with the driver. For a right-handed player, this means the ball curves moderately from right to left. The draw is the preferred shot off the tee, because it adds distance to your drives. Learning to hit a controlled draw off the tee also helps you have a better chance of hitting the fairway on right-to-left dogleg holes.

Overview

Many golfers strive to hit a draw shot with the driver. For a right-handed player, this means the ball curves moderately from right to left. The draw is the preferred shot off the tee, because it adds distance to your drives. Learning to hit a controlled draw off the tee also helps you have a better chance of hitting the fairway on right-to-left dogleg holes.

Employ a Strong Grip

If you look down at your hands when you grip the club, you will notice the index finger and thumb of each hand have formed a rough “V” shape.

Turn the Vs a bit to the right and you have what instructors call a strong grip.

This grip makes it easier for you to curve the ball from right to left. Experiment with just how far you want to turn your hands to create the gentle draw you are looking for and not cause a “snap hook” that goes too far left of target.

Aim Your Feet Right of Target

At address, align your feet and shoulders so they are pointed to the right of your intended target.

Aim the club face directly at your target--a closed club face position.

The ball should start out going to the right and then turn back left so it ends up exactly on target. Some golfers believe it is easier to hit a draw if they drop the right shoulder slightly at address, creating more of an upward shoulder angle.

Make a More Rounded Swing

Draw an imaginary line that shows where your shoulders and feet are pointing at address. On the takeaway, the club moves inside this line. Coming at the ball from an inside position promotes the right-to-left ball flight. Don’t pick the club up. Take it back low. Imagine your swing with the driver to be more rounded or less upright than you would use with your iron shots.

Visualize the Correct Club Position

In his book “My Golden Lessons,” Jack Nicklaus says it helps to have a mental image of the toe of the club moving ahead of the heel through the impact zone and moving farther ahead as the follow through continues. This is the slightly closed club head position you need to execute a draw.

The Forearm Roll

When hitting a draw, as you near the impact zone the left forearm rotates or rolls under. The rotation closes the club face and creates the right-to-left flight path of the ball. In “Breaking 100, 90, 80,” instructor Janet Coles suggests wearing a wristwatch with the face turned to the inside of your left wrist.

If you rotate your left forearm properly through impact, the watch face will be visible on your follow through. Make sure your grip pressure is not too tight.

You want your hands to release through the ball. If they don’t, the ball may start out going to the right and keep going right.