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Draw or FadeBall Position by Club All clubs Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

John Daly's Draw: Quiet Legs and Ball Position

At the PNC Championship, John Daly and his son Little John demonstrate how they hit their natural draw. Just two key points: keep your legs still at impact while your hands rotate, and set your ball position before anything else.

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John Daly
John Daly · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

14 minSame problemAdam Scott's Swing: Simple Rhythm, Fade, and DrawAdam Scott · Intermediate / Expert17 minSame problemNelly Korda's Driver Tips: The Low, Controlled DriveNelly Korda · Intermediate / Expert2 minFrom the same proJohn Daly's Chip and Putt for Beginners: Learning BackwardsJohn Daly · Beginner

What the lesson shows

John Daly sums up the draw simply: the easiest way to make the ball curve from right to left is to cushion the impact on the legs while the hands turn. The club moves from the inside and back out, just like in his son’s swing, which he thinks is perfect in that regard. He warns: if you’re swinging down too steeply, this advice won’t help you—you should see your pro instead.

The second pillar—which he considers the most important—is the Ball Position. Little John, who has been playing since he was two years old, knows exactly where to aim for a 5-, 10-, or 20-yard draw. His usual draw—about 4 yards in the demonstration—is played with the ball at the left heel, or even a little further forward. Daly adds that the further forward the ball is, the more the clubface rotates to the left at impact, and the more the ball curves to the left. If you’re hitting a fat shot, simply move the ball back a bit.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Place the ball near your left heel for a slight draw.
  2. Take your swing as usual, without trying to change it.
  3. On the downswing, let the club come in from the inside.
  4. Upon impact, relax your legs: they stop pushing toward the target.
  5. Let your hands rotate, which causes the ball to move from right to left.
  6. Adjust the ball position by one notch to increase or decrease the curve.

Key Takeaways

The draw comes from the legs, which stay still at impact while the hands rotate.
The club starts from the inside and moves back out.
The ball's position is what matters most: it determines the size of the draw.
Little John's usual draw: the ball at his left heel, or just a little further forward.
The farther forward the ball is, the more the clubface rotates to the left at impact.
If you're going down too steeply, you should first discuss this with a professional.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Trying to hit a draw using technique without first checking the ball's position.
  • Keep your legs very active at impact: your hands do not rotate.
  • To move the ball forward without realizing that it will veer even further to the left.
  • Apply this tip to a downswing that is too steep, which needs to be corrected separately.
  • Focus on hitting the ball hard instead of moving it.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Three ball positions around the left heel, one set per position
  2. For each one, note the size of the draw obtained
  3. Practice swings, feeling your legs relax at impact
  4. Fat shot or behind the ball: Move the ball, not the swing

Your Questions

What does it mean to “cushion the impact on your legs”?

Daly talks about legs that stop working at the moment of impact. The hands can then rotate, and it is this rotation that causes the ball to curve from right to left.

Where should you place the ball for Little John's draw shot?

At the left heel, or just a little further forward. That's where his usual draw is—about a 4-yard curve in the demonstration.

Why does the ball go further to the left when I move it forward?

According to Daly, the farther forward the ball is positioned, the more the clubface has rotated to the left by the time it makes contact. Move the ball back one notch to reduce the curve.

Is this advice enough if I'm going down too steeply?

No. Daly says so himself: if your ball flight is too steep, go see your pro—adjusting the ball position won't fix it.

Learn More

All “Draw Effect or Fade Effect” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Ball Position by Club” →Find the lesson that's right for you Adam Scott's Swing: Simple Rhythm, Fade, and DrawAdam Scott checks everything before taking his swing, focuses on a single rhythm, and produces a fade or a draw either by intention or simply by shifting his body. Choosing the Right Shot with the Iron: Nelly Korda and Rickie FowlerThree pins between 179 and 193 yards, with a left-to-right wind: Korda sticks with her draw, while Fowler picks his club, start line and intermediate target. Nelly Korda's Driver Tips: The Low, Controlled DriveOn the driving range with Tiger Woods, Nelly Korda demonstrates her low, controlled drive and shows Rory McIlroy the benefits of a shorter shaft and a closed clubface. John DalyAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (John Daly). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

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