The Short Answer: A draw in golf is a shot that curves from right to left for a right-handed golfer. To hit a draw, you'll need to swing the club from inside to outside the target line while maintaining a closed clubface relative to the path.
A draw shot is one of the most sought-after skills in golf. It produces a controlled ball curve and desirable ball flight that can add significant distance and improve scoring opportunities. While many golfers mistakenly believe a draw requires exceptional talent or complex manipulation of the club, it's actually a repeatable shot that comes from understanding a few fundamental principles of golf swing mechanics and club path control.
Many players incorrectly try to create a draw by actively rolling their hands through impact or aiming far right of their target. These approaches often lead to inconsistent results and can even promote a slice. This guide will walk you through the proper setup, swing path, and clubface control needed to produce a reliable draw. You'll learn the exact positions and movements that create this power-packed shot shape.
Setting Up for Success
Ball Position
The golf ball position sets the foundation for a consistent draw shot. Place the ball slightly back in your stance compared to your standard ball position for that club. This usually means just behind center for mid-irons or slightly forward of center for longer clubs. Keep the ball at a comfortable distance from your body, roughly at arm's length when you let your arms hang naturally at address with your golf club.
Stance Adjustments
To promote an in-to-out swing path, take a slightly closed stance. Pull your right foot about 2 inches away from the target line while keeping your front foot in its normal position. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, with weight distributed evenly between both feet.
Body Alignment
Your hip alignment plays a major role in creating the proper swing path. With your closed stance, allow your hips to match this slightly closed position. Your shoulders should match the orientation of your hips, working as a single unit. While some variance in alignment is natural, matching hips and shoulders is a reliable starting point for most amateur golfers. This setup naturally promotes the inside path needed for a draw.
Grip Modifications
A neutral to slightly strong grip supports the drawing motion. Position your hands so you can see 2 or 3 knuckles on your lead hand when looking down at the clubface. Your trail hand should sit comfortably below the lead hand, creating a unified grip. Maintain medium grip pressure. Think of holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing out any paste. This relaxed tension allows for natural hand rotation through impact.
The Pre-Shot Routine and Takeaway
Mental Preparation
Before hitting a draw, your mind needs to be as prepared as your body. Stand behind the golf ball and picture the shot shape you want on the golf course. Visualize the ball starting right of your target and gently curving back to the left. Pick a specific target in the distance, then choose an intermediate target a few feet in front of your ball that lies along your target line.
The Practice Swing
Take practice swings focusing on the in-to-out swing path. Feel the clubhead staying outside your hands briefly during the takeaway while your hands gradually work inward. Keep your tempo smooth and unhurried. This rhythm will help you execute the actual shot with more confidence.
Perfecting Your Takeaway
The takeaway sets up everything that follows. Start by moving the club straight back for the first few inches, keeping the clubface square to the target line. As you continue, let your hands move slightly inward while the clubhead stays near the target line, not too far outside or inside. Be careful not to create an open clubface during the takeaway. Your lead wrist should remain flat, avoiding any cupping. Let your shoulders rotate around your swing plane, with your trail shoulder moving down and around rather than lifting up.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Watch out for these frequent errors that can ruin your draw: Standing too far from the ball can create an out-to-in path that produces a slice. Letting gravity pull your arms down too early steepens your swing plane. Trying to steer the club with your hands leads to inconsistent contact. Most importantly, don't restrict your upper body turn. A full shoulder rotation gives you the room to approach the ball from the inside.
Many players unintentionally create a straight shot or even a fade when trying to force the draw. If you're a left-handed golfer, remember your draw curves from left to right instead.
Mastering the Downswing
The in-to-out swing path forms the foundation of a consistent draw. Start by initiating the downswing with your lower body. Keep your back facing the target slightly longer while your hips begin rotating forward. This creates the space needed for the club to approach from the inside.
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Rotate your hips powerfully but with control. Your hips should open about 45 degrees through impact.
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Allow the shoulders to follow, but stay back momentarily. This separation creates torque and generates power.
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Keep your trail shoulder lower than your lead shoulder throughout the swing to maintain your plane and avoid coming over the top.
Step 1 - Your hands should trace a path that moves up and out toward the golf ball rather than cutting across it:
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Picture your hands working from the inside of your trail thigh toward your lead pocket in a smooth arc.
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This natural hand path allows the clubface to approach the ball from inside the target line.
Step 2 - For clubface control, focus on your release timing:
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Let your forearm rotation happen naturally through impact.
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The clubface should close slightly relative to your swing path, with a face angle that points just right of the target line to create draw spin.
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At impact, your lead wrist should be flat or slightly bowed and never cupped.
Step 3 - The movement sequence starts from the ground up:
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Push from your right foot to begin the downswing, transferring weight smoothly to your left side.
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Your lower body leads, with the knees and hips rotating toward the target.
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Your upper body should stay back, creating torque for power and control.
Step 4 - At impact, check these body positions:
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Hips open about 45 degrees to the target line
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Shoulders less open than the hips
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Weight favoring your lead side
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Hands ahead of the clubhead
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Trail arm stays close to your body, supporting the inside-out club path
This inside-out motion works whether you're hitting short irons or launching your driver off the tee. A solid club path and proper face angle are essential components of any successful golf swing.
Control the Curve With BRUCE BOLT
Learning to hit a draw takes focused practice, but the results are worth the effort. Begin with the setup fundamentals: slightly closed stance, adjusted ball position, and proper alignment. Then build the swing path from the inside while maintaining clubface control at impact. Practice the three key checkpoints: takeaway, downswing, and follow-through rotation.
Don't just swing—shape it with confidence. BRUCE BOLT premium golf gloves give you the grip, control, and feel you need to execute a consistent draw under pressure.
Creating a reliable draw takes the right club path, a square-to-closed clubface, and a body sequence that starts from the ground up. None of it works without a secure connection to your golf club. That’s where BRUCE BOLT comes in. Our gloves are built for serious golfers who want more control, more feel, and more trust in every shot.
Want to refine your perfect draw? Start with short irons, commit to an inside-out path, and swing with purpose. Stay focused on your wrist angles, your tempo, and your grip. With BRUCE BOLT’s superior fit and durability, you’ll feel the difference at impact.
Don’t just hit the ball—draw it like you mean it. Make every swing count with BRUCE BOLT.
