How to Hit a Draw
By Bradley Turner Keiser University College of Golf Executive Director – MBA, PGA
The golf swing is a three-dimensional movement with countless variables that influence the flight of the golf ball. This can create a misunderstanding as to why the ball hooked or sliced. There are only five foundational variables that make a golf ball curve. There are varying degrees of each of these five variables which account for a lot of confused golfers. Generally, all five variables are related to the directional movement of the club head referred to as the club path and the face plane orientation of the club referred to as the face angle.
A perfectly straight golf shot results in both the club head path and the face angle oriented or moving in the same direction at impact. For example, if the club path is moving 5 degrees to the right of the intended target at impact and the orientation of the club face angle is 5 degrees to the right of the target, the resulting ball flight is a perfectly straight flight that will end up 5 degrees to the right. Anytime there is a variance between these two variables, the ball will begin to curve which we call a draw or fade if the curve is minimal, and hook or slice when the curve is too much!
All golfers have these five components embedded in their golf swings. From Rory McIlroy to a novice golfer, the ability to control these five components is an important aspect in controlling the curve of the ball flight. Ultimately, the best players move the club in a manner that produces powerful and desirable ball flights. There are great ball strikers with unique golf swings. However, the unique swings we see on the PGA tour still adhere to the ball flight laws and essentials of club mechanics!
If you are unable to make the ball draw or hook, you need to make some type of change in your club movement. You first must understand these five variables and the steps you can take in making changes in your swing that will lead to the tight draw that is sought after by so many amateur golfers.
Change The Relationship of The Grip To The Club Face
If you are going to make a change in ball flight, then you need to start with changing something! Changing the relationship of the grip to the club face is opening or closing the clubface at setup. If you rarely draw or hook a golf ball, this might be the first step in understanding ball flight curvature. I like for the players to keep their grip the same but rotate the club face closed (to the left) and then take their grip. You may need to close the clubface 15 degrees from the intended target. If the ball does not start to the left and curve further left, then increase to 30 degrees until the ball begins to curve in the desired direction. This type of change can work well with iron play, but it will not work for your driver. Imagine closing the clubface 30 degrees with a driver…the ball would never get off the ground. With the driver, you will need to change the club path!
Change The Club Path
This is the movement of the club head through the golf ball. An in-to-out path for a right-handed golfer is oriented to the right of the intended starting line. An out-to-in path for a right-handed golfer is oriented to the left of the intended starting line. The majority of golfers struggle with the path of the club through impact. To change the path of the club through impact, keep the clubface pointed to the intended target at address, and then focus on moving the club from the inside of the target line to the outside of the target line. A good image is to see a clock face when looking at the golf ball with 12 o’clock at the top of the ball and 6 o’clock at the bottom, closest to your feet. For a right-handed golfer, a path from 3:00 to 9:00 would be a path straight to the target. To create a draw path, make the club move through the ball from a 4:00 initial contact point and towards a 10:00 exit point.
Change The Vertical Swing Plane Angle
This one is a bit complicated. From a target line view, the club shaft can be in a more vertical position at impact or a shallower position. This change in the vertical swing plane has a direct influence on the club face direction. Imagine teeing up a golf ball three feet above your feet…like when you used to play t-ball as a youngster. Next, grab your wedge and take a good look at where the club face is pointing. The club face will be pointed significantly left of the target. The sole of the club must be flat to the ground at impact if the ball is to fly straight toward the target. This variable can be fixed by getting your golf clubs professionally fit. You do not want your clubs to be a factor in deterring your effort to hit a draw.
Change The Lead Wrist Position
Assuming a neutral grip, a bowed lead wrist position will close the club face while a cupped lead wrist will open the club face. This is my number one issue with those who struggle with a slice. Too many slicers have a cupped lead wrist at the top of the swing. This can be observed by looking at the top of the backswing from a target line perspective. The left wrist for a right-handed golfer will be bent so the back of the hand is closer to the player’s forearm. The leading edge of the club face is pointing more towards the ground. A flat lead wrist will have the lead wrist, lead forearm, and leading edge of the club face parallel at the top of the swing. Finally, a bowed lead wrist like Dustin Johnson and Colin Morikawa will have the leading edge of the club face closer to parallel with the ground.
The position of the lead wrist at the top of the swing does not determine the ball flight curve. However, it does influence the flight and it requires golfers to make big adjustments in a short period. My suggestion is to always keep a flat to slightly bowed lead wrist position at the top of the backswing if you want to hit that elusive draw shot.
Change The Timing of The Release
Two factors contribute to the release of the club face through impact. The first is the rotation of the forearms and the second is the rotation of the body through impact. The ability to time the release is essential to good ball-striking skills. This is the difficulty that all golfers must work through. Even the best players in the world will struggle with the timing of the body and forearms to produce the desired club face position at impact. When Tiger Woods had issues with hooking the ball too much, you can rest assured that the timing of these two factors is extremely challenging for any golfer.
To get a sense of increased forearm rotation, think of a watch on the left wrist. The watch face should be pointing close to the direction of the intended ball flight at address. Imagine returning the face of the wristwatch not toward the target but rather toward the ground at impact. That is an exaggeration of the feeling you need to eliminate that dreaded slice to the right. Too much rotation and you have a hook, just the right amount combined with the right amount of body rotation, and you will see a beautiful ball flight, straight down the middle of the fairway.
Learn more!
Want more tips? If you want to take your game to the next level, contact our team at Keiser University’s College of Golf & Sport Management today. With our dedication and experience, we can elevate your game to new heights together. Give us a call today at 888-355-4465.
