A draw ball starts right of the target line or straight when you hit it and then curves mid-air slightly to the left to land on its target line. It is one of the best shots in playing golf, but one that also requires a bit of learning to master.

First, you need to understand the differences between a draw and a pull. You can determine the two by the trajectory of their curve and where they land in relation to the target line. A draw, as explained, starts right and curves to the left to land perfectly on your target line. A pull will not curve after you hit the ball; rather, it will just sail off to the left away from the target line.

Learning how to draw the golf ball will help you dictate certain instances of your game and will definitely encourage you to practice and play more. If you want to learn how to draw a golf ball, read on as this article will share a step-by-step guide to learning how to manipulate the perfect curve.

How to Draw a Golf Ball Like a Pro

Before we get into more details, it will help to understand the following golf terminology to help you understand and follow the guide.

• The swing path is the direction your club head is moving at impact with your golf ball.
• The target line is the direction you want your golf ball to end up after the hit.
• The draw ratio is the relationship between your swing path and the clubhead angle.

What you will need for this guide

1. Access to a driving range
2. Range balls
3. Your ideal driver
4. A swing monitor to track your progress is recommended
5. Alignment aids are also recommended

It is easier as a learner to begin with a driver when learning to draw golf balls because they allow you more control when hitting the ball. When you understand the right way to draw, you can then use irons to hit your draws. Additionally, alignment aids will help you calculate your draw ratio to produce successful draws.

The following are the steps to follow when learning how to draw a golf ball.

Step 1: Identify where your ball will end up

a) Identify your target

When you want to hit the perfect draw ball, determine where you want your ball to land. When you understand where you need your ball to end up, you can visualize the ideal curve or flight to aim for.

b) Calculate the best draw ratio

To calculate the draw ratio, visualize the arc your golf ball will form from right to left after hitting it to achieve your target. Ideally, a draw ratio of 2:1 is enough for hitting a draw ball. Once you understand the best draw ratio, practice until you can achieve it.

It is important to note that the club you use can affect the ratio. For this tutorial, you are using the driver because it gives you control, and you can relax to hit a draw. When hitting draws, it helps to use long golf clubs so you can manipulate the ball flight.

Step 2: Aim before you draw the ball

When you have your target and draw ratio in place, you need to find a suitable spot next to your ball.

Find your place to the right of the target because this could also produce a great straight if you miss a draw. Ensure the spot you pick will not produce an unintended straight that goes off the golfer course as it will earn you penalty strokes to damage your psyche.

Next, pick the best orientation to help you achieve a shot closest to your target line. When picking orientation, think of the line you would like your ball to start on. For example, if you want a swing path arc that faces 2 o'clock, make sure the clubface clocks the path at one o'clock. When you apply the correct right to left hit, you will achieve a great draw.

Step 3: Prepare to hit the draw

For this step, you need to consider the swing path you are aiming for. Therefore, align your aim spot and the clubface so it closes to the path.

For the perfect draw hit, you will use the club head to achieve the draw ratio you practised before. Before hitting the ball, you must aim it between your swing path and target line. When you aim for your draw ratio, you will be able to get the best right to left aim at impact with the ball.

Step 4: Swing your golf club

In this step, you need to align your body before hitting the draw. Start by bringing your hand around your body for a backswing. Make sure you do not sway your hips back to avoid creating a reverse pivot.

Swing your club towards your aim spot without hitting the ball. This step allows you to imagine the arc you would form if you hit the ball. For the perfect takeaway, you need to hinge your wrists to help you move the club vertically.

Next, turn your shoulders 90 degrees when you take the club back. Here, ensure your shoulders are perpendicular to your target line.

Observe how you will control your weight transfer when hitting the ball. If you want a successful golf draw, you need to transfer your weight from the back foot to the swing path.

When your shoulders are ready, and you control your weight transfer, you are ready to hit a draw. You might need to drop your right foot back a little to create room for the ideal swing path.

However, remember that the path of the ball starts the moment you hit it. Once the clubface strikes the ball, allow your hands to release.

Step 5: Practice until you draw a ball

Now that you have the steps to follow, take as much time as you need to perfect your draw balls.

Drills to Help you Practice How to Play a Draw on the Perfect Swing Path

If you have been trying to hit the perfect draw ball in fail, you might improve your skill by practising the following drills.

1. The three-ball drill

This is a drill that involves using three balls to practice hitting a draw ball. To do it, place two golf balls to each side of the golf ball you are practising with, i.e., one 2 inches to the right of your ball and another one 2 inches to the left.

Ideally, these three balls should form a straight line. Now, you can only hit the ball at the center without making any contact with the two outer balls. If you touch either of the two outer golf balls, you will know your swing path isn't inside out.

Practice with the balls until you touch neither of the balls, and you will be ready to take the experience to a golf course.

2. Right elbow in the pocket

This drill will help you eliminate casting the golf club outside for the perfect draws. To do it, practice pulling your right elbow into your body as you downswing. This drill teaches you how to drop the club inside for the best swing path.

3. The intermediate aim spot

This drill is best to teach you how to visualize and achieve the correct swing path when hitting a draw ball. To do it, stick a golf tee in the ground about 6 inches in front of you and right of your target line.

How far right you stick the tee determines your ideal swing path. Before hitting your draw ball, make sure your clubface is closed to the path and hit the strike the ball aiming to arc it over your tee.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Draw a Golf Ball

a) What is it?

A draw ball in golf travels kin a right to left curve after it is struck to land on or near the player's target line.

It is different from a pull that just goes left without forming a right to left arc.

b) Why is a draw ball important in golf?

In a golf game, some situations can adversely affect your game. If you are faced with a shot that can run off the course into the trees, a draw ball may be the only solution.

When you draw a ball, you control the ball's trajectory and reduce the loft for better spin rates.

c) When is the best time to draw a golf ball?

If you are good at drawing balls, you can always use the technique for hits that require trajectory or when you need to control where the ball ends up. However, if you are not very good at draws, only use them in situations like;

1. When you want to hold a left to right wind.
2. When there is an obstacle you are required to go around.
3. When you face a strong wind in your clubface that may lead to your hit ballooning incorrectly into the wind.
4. When you need better access to pin placement on an extreme side of the green.

d) Where should a draw ball be aimed?

Hitting a draw requires you to aim it to the right but guided by your ideal draw ratio.

e) What is the best grip for drawing a golf ball?

When hitting a draw, you will find it better to use a firm hand grip, but do not make it too strong as it can turn your draw into a hook.

To find the best grip, start practising with a neutral grip and keep tightening it until you succeed in hitting the best draw. Hitting a good draw in golf heavily relies on how much grip control you have to control the ball flight.

f) How should the clubface be oriented when drawing a draw?

Before drawing your golf ball, it would also help to have an ideal draw ratio, as it will guide you on how best to orient your clubface. Ideally, the face angle should be closed to the swing path while open to the target line.

g) What is the best swing path when drawing a golf ball?

The best swing path when you hit a draw is inside out. To improve the swing path, practice the drills above, and you will be able to play the best draw balls in golf.

h) Does a draw give more yard with the driver?

Yes. A draw is expected to run out farther when played correctly. Unlike other golf shots with a left to right shaping, a draw shot will travel farther on a lower trajectory.

i) How to calculate the best draw ratio

When calculating your draw ratio, the two factors you need to consider most are your swing path and the clubface orientation. Once you have a target line, you must remember to open your face to the target but close it to the swing path.

For the best draws, you can calculate the degrees the ball is off your target line. If you are a right-hand golfer, make sure your swing path is to the right of the target.

If you calculate the swing path to be 10 degrees right of the target, you need to close your clubface orientation at 5 degrees to the target to get a ratio of 10:5 or 2 to 1. With such a ratio, you will need little skill to initiate a right to left trajectory to be able to hit the perfect draw ball.

Conclusion

When you are learning how to draw a ball in golf, you are on the way to making tremendous improvement to your overall game. Drawing a ball with the driver gives you the advantage of distance for any consequent golf club swing.

When you learn to draw the ball with your driver, you are able to get the ball farther for shorter and more accurate approach shots.

However, golfers must learn the difference between a draw and a fade and when to use both shots to improve their game. A draw curves from right to left towards a player's target line, while a fade will launch in a left to right curve towards a target line.

When practising to play a draw, it is vital to learn to control your grip, posture, and golf club face orientation to control swing speed and path and ball speed.