A draw is a shot that starts out to the right and then gently curves back to the left. For many, shots start out right and then go even more right. Most amateurs dream of having a draw ball flight and work for months and months to find the right swing that can produce the shots. Most golfers hit a fade (left to right curve) because it is easier to get ‘out to in’ swing compared to ‘in to out’ swing. Here are some tips which will help you to hit the ball in more ‘in to out’ swing.
Stance
Adjust your stance. In a ‘normal’ stance, a line drawn across your toes would point straight at your target. To hit a draw, you need a ‘closed’ stance, one that points a little to the right of the target. Draw your rear foot (right foot) back a couple of inches so the line along the top of your toes points to the right of the target. Meanwhile, your shoulders should be pointed and your swing directed at the target. Closing the stance results in an ‘inside to outside’ swing plane, or one where the club goes back inside the normal straight-back-and-through pathway and, after hitting the all, continues outside that swing path. That is what puts the right to left spin on the ball.
Grip
Strengthen your grip. To get a ball moving to the left, try turning your hands a little bit to the right on the grip of the club. This is called a ‘strong’ grip position. With hands
adjusted this way, the club face will tend to close at impact, which also promotes side spin that curves the ball to the left.
Release (through the ball)
Release the last 12 inches. You cannot be lazy and hit a draw. As your club approaches the ball, think speeding up for the last 12 inches before the contact. By releasing the hands into and through the ball, the right hand and arm will turn over the left. This helps ensure the club face closes and the side spin gets imparted in the right direction. Do not speed up the entire swing. Just think about releasing the hands quickly just before impact.
Weight shift
It is crucial for you to shift your weight on the left to hit a draw shot. Even if you do the above things correctly, if you do not shift your weight, the chances of hitting a draw are very slim. Have your weight transferred on the left foot (if you are right handed golfer) to ensure a draw shot.
If you practice these techniques at the driving range, I am sure you will master a draw shot in a short period of time.
(The author is a golf instructor and golf director at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu.
He can be contacted through prodeepak@hotmail.com)