The Draw in Golf

What is a draw in golf?

The draw is a deliberate, moderate curve of the ball. For a right-hander, the ball starts a little to the right of the target, then curves gently to the left and ends up on the intended line. For a left-hander, it’s the opposite: the curve goes from left to right.

It's a controlled effect: the ball curves a few meters, not twenty. That's what sets it apart from the hook.

Draw or hook: What's the difference?

Both curve in the same direction—from right to left for a right-handed person. The difference lies in the degree of curvature and the intended direction:

• The draw: a gentle, controlled curve that brings the ball back toward the target.
• The hook: a sharp curve—often uncontrollable—that sends the ball far to the left of the target, sometimes into the trees or out of bounds.

A hook is, in a way, an exaggerated draw. Its opposite is a slice, a sharp curve to the right.

Where does the "draw" effect come from?

Two factors determine the ball's flight at impact when the ball strikes the center of the clubface:

• The orientation of the face Above all, it determines the initial direction: the ball goes roughly where the clubface is pointing.
• The gap between the clubface and the club's path (the path the clubhead follows) determines the curve: the ball curves in the opposite direction from the path.

For a right-handed player, a draw occurs when the clubface is closed relative to the club's path. A typical example: the clubhead moves from the inside out (toward the right of the target), with the clubface pointing slightly less to the right than this path. The ball starts off slightly to the right, then curves back to the left.

Beware of a common misconception: the clubface doesn't need to be closed relative to the target. If it's pointing to the left of the target with a path to the right, the ball will go left and curve even further to the left: that's a hook, not a draw.

How do you make a draw?

There are several methods; the easiest way to get started is to use the following address:

1. Aim with the clubface the point where the ball should be aimed, slightly to the right of the target.
2. Align your feet, hips, and shoulders A little further to the right: it's this slightly closed stance that directs the club's in-to-out path.
3. Ball in the center or very slightly back in the stance, so that the club can meet it before it has finished moving back to the left.
4. Swing along the line of your feet, without trying to twist your hands at the last moment.

Start with small deviations: just a few degrees are enough to create a curve several meters long.

What are the advantages of the draw?

• No more rolls: A draw generally flies a little lower and with less backspin than a fade. The ball rolls farther after landing, which often increases the total distance.
• A strategic weapon: It allows you to follow a dogleg that curves to the left or to approach a flag placed to the left of the green.
• Good stability in windy conditions Coming from the left (for a right-handed player): the draw curve counteracts the wind's push, and the ball “stays” on course.

The flip side of the coin: a draw stops more slowly on a firm green. And a poorly controlled draw can quickly turn into a hook.

Draw or fade: Which one should you choose?

Neither is better than the other. Many players on the tour hit a basic fade, while others hit a draw. The key is to have a curve predictable, and then knowing how to play the other shot when the hole calls for it. A player who slices often benefits greatly from learning to hit a draw, because that specifically corrects his club path flaw.