Monday, August 20, 2012

3 Steps to Perfecting Your Draw Shots

The draw shot is a very powerful method to lower your score and create confidence in your game. To hit a successful draw the ball travels in the air from right to left. If the ball travels from left to right, this is a fade. It is a hook if the ball travels right to left in an uncontrollable manner. The draw shot is useful to get around obstacles in front of you or on fairway with a dogleg. Since the ball is rotating right to left when it lands on the ground the draw shot will give you some extra distance.

We have three simple steps that you can quickly use to start perfecting your draw shot.

The following steps are for right-handed golfers. If you are a leftie, simple reverse it.

Let's review the 3 simple steps that you can make to your current swing to get the ball traveling from right to left.

Step#1 - Begin by closing your stance. People confuse a closed stance with the distance between their feet. This is not the case. A closed stance is where your back is facing the target area. In a normal stance your feet are aligned to face the target. In other words, if we draw a line connecting the toe of your right foot to the toe of your left foot, and then continue this line it would go directly to target area. This means your left shoulder is also pointing directly at the target. With a closed stance your feet are aligned in such a way that if we draw a line connecting the toe of your right foot to the toe of your left foot, and then continue this line it would go directly to the right of the target. This means your left shoulder is also facing to the right of the target.

It is important to note that the amount of draw on the ball varies by the amount you close your stance. To fully understand this, spend some time on the practice range, varying your stance.

Step#2 - Now, while in your closed stance aim the clubface at directly at the target.

Step# 3 - Once you have your feet and shoulders aligned to the right of the target and aim the club face at the target, the just make your normal swing.

To most people this will feel odd. It certainly did for me! Your first several shots using a closed stance will feel awkward. Spending time on perfecting your draw shots develops confidence and you will lower your score accordingly.

The reason you must close your stance is this allows your swing to have a slight in-to-out path which gives the ball the left to right rotation.. Your hands will try to align with your shoulders and defeat the required mechanics of this shot. You will end up hitting the ball straight but to the right of the target. This is not a draw it is a misaligned shot.

As with any new shot, practice is the key to build confidence when you are out on the course. Develop a draw using the club that you have the most confidence with. If you have no preference I suggest starting with a 3 or 5 iron or fairway wood. On most courses you will have more opportunities to use a draw off the fairway or on par 3 holes. You will need to work with each club to get a feel for the stance required to get a draw.

In your practice sessions, remember to make note how much of a draw you get with each degree of closed stance, with each club. Write it down and keep it with you. The information will come in handy when you are on the course.

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