Power Draw with the Driver: Anna Rawson
On the first tee, everyone is watching, and nothing beats a beautiful, powerful draw. LPGA Tour player Anna Rawson, along with Blair O'Neal, shares her three-step setup tip. A short video from Golf Digest that's easy to put into practice.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Anna Rawson thinks of Dustin Johnson and his big right-to-left draws. For her, the power draw comes down to three simple things. First of all a strong grip: Turn your left hand toward the right side of the handle to help the clamshell close. Next, Place the ball a little further forward on the tee as you usually do, to hit it on the upswing and get a high draw.
Finally, a closed stance: The shoulders and feet are aimed to the right of the target, with the right foot slightly back. She notes that most golfers align themselves open to avoid a slice; to hit a draw, you have to do the opposite. This alignment helps create an in-to-out path and a ball that curves toward the fairway.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Place the ball on a high tee, a little further forward in your stance than usual.
- Use a strong grip, with your left hand facing the right side of the handle.
- Move your right foot back a little to close your stance.
- Align your shoulders to the right of the target, just like your feet.
- Swing from the inside out, letting the ball come back toward the target.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Aligning yourself open out of fear of a slice when you're trying to hit a draw.
- Maintain a neutral or weak grip when trying to make the ball curve from right to left.
- Placing the ball too far back, which prevents you from hitting it on the rise.
- Bring your feet together while keeping your shoulders open.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Check for a strong grip before each drive
- Place the rod on the ground to check the alignment when closed
- Series of drives with the ball on the tee positioned further forward
Your Questions
What is a power draw?
A powerful drive that starts to the right of the target and curves back to the left—for a right-hander. Anna Rawson cites Dustin Johnson as an example.
What settings should I use for a power draw?
A strong grip, the ball positioned further forward at the tee, and a closed stance with the shoulders and feet pointing to the right of the target.
Why not line up in an open formation?
According to Anna Rawson, many golfers open up to avoid a slice. To hit a draw, on the other hand, you need to close your shoulders to create an in-to-out path.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Anna Rawson). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.
