How to Play a Draw Shot in Golf

A draw shot is when the ball curves slightly right to left in flight (for a right-handed golfer). It is an intended shot, unlike the unpopular -- and all-too-common for most golfers -- "hook" or "shank." A draw is the desired shot for long drives, because you can get more topspin as the ball hits the ground, thus increasing the ultimate yardage gained. You will also find a draw desirable for fairways that veer left (known as a "dogleg left") or if there are other obstacles around which you need to draw your shot. For left-handed golfers, the draw will play from left to right.

Things You'll Need

  • Golf club; start with your most comfortable club
  • Golf balls
  • Practice range
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Instructions

    • 1
      You want to line up just slightly right of your target.

      Place your left foot slightly in front, or ahead, of the right foot in your golf stance as you address the ball. Some people find this easier to understand if you think of aiming your shoulders and feet to just slightly right of the target area where you want the ball to land.

    • 2
      Tee up your golf ball or place it directly on the ground.

      Place the ball slightly in front of your left foot. You can tee it up if you like or place the ball directly on the ground. Thomas Tower, a junior golf clinician from Austin, Texas, notes that golfing great Tiger Woods "always tees up when he can -- even on a par 3. Take advantage of the tee.".

    • 3
      Feet should be slightly less than shoulder width apart.

      Close your stance -- meaning put your feet slightly together -- to just slightly less than shoulder width.

    • 4
      Think of your swing as you would any normal golf swing.

      Grip the club firmly and with a strong left arm, begin your back swing, but swing normally, just as you would in any distance golf shot. Make sure you keep your hips still. If you think of it as a normal golf swing, you will hit the ball with an "inside-out" trajectory because of the way you are addressing the ball. This allows for the draw.

    • 5
      Keep your head down through your swing, until your club head makes contact with the ball.

      Keep your head down and your eye on the ball until you make contact with the club head. This can be difficult since you are turned slightly away from the target, tempting you to look up too quickly to see where the ball is going.