Hitting the Draw
Hitting the draw is a golf swing technique that's probably not unfamiliar to you I'm sure, yet how to actually hit a draw might be totally new to you because no one has taken the time to show you.
My golf swing instruction will show you how to set-up to execute this type of shot and explain why it happens and when to use it. It doesn't matter what club you use to create the draw, because you can certainly place enough side spin on the ball with any club in your bag by using the proper golf swing tip.
Some instructors will show you how they draw the ball by using their golf swing tips and provide some interesting video actually doing it. If you were able to grasp the "why" after the "how", then you've found another good source of golf swing instruction. It is proper golf swing mechanics and set-up, that are demonstrated to you here, which are so important to your success.
The difficult part in trying to watch golf swing instruction by video is you need to re-run the clip several times to grasp the idea of what's going on while viewing it, stopping the clip to actually see the golf swing tips in order to improve your golf swing. I'm using a different approach to help you see several key points that will burn a picture in your brain of the positions that you'll remember when you get to the course to execute those golf swing techniques.
The following pictures demonstrate a solid visual set-up of what your arms and hands need to be doing, so you can understand why it works. Doing it correctly is a strong part of the learning curve, but knowing why something works is the balance of the equation. So take your time and learn from these photos… the how and why… and you'll be one step closer to having your blue print to better golf.
One of the best ways to learning anything new takes time, patience and dedication towards the goal you've personally prepared to accomplish. Without this commitment of improve your golf swing mentality, you are putting your improvement time further behind you. Developing successful draw golf swing mechanics is a process coming from proven techniques you can learn from, whether your golf swing instruction comes in audio, video, print or physical application. One or all of these techniques are valuable sources to learn from and the key to success is to use the one technique you will consistently commit to practice. The following pictures I've provided is one of the golf swing techniques mentioned prior, which is an example of how to draw the ball, showing exactly how and why this useful shot is applied.
Before I set up into the draw shot position, I need to remind you to evaluate your playing conditions first, every time. Why you do this first, is to remind yourself of wind conditions, direction, intensity, lie of the ball in the grass, etc. Remember, these have a profound effect on club selection and ultimately the ball's performance. Once that has been accomplished, you are performing your pre-shot routine automatically, which keeps you consistent.
You will see I've established three areas of concern, so you can see what areas of the swing I want to focus on. They all have a purpose, so let's look at what they are and why they are important. The PVC pipe lying in the grass just forward of my ball is the intended line of flight. I want the ball to travel on that path to the green. The pipe behind my ball is the line at which I want my club not to travel outside of, in order to ensure an inside take away and an inside out follow through while hitting the ball. In order to close my stance, which promotes the side spin on the ball, I need to make my right shoulder farther away from the ball than compared to a normal set-up for straighter shots. To accomplish this, I want to set both my feet at a 45-degree line in comparison to the intended line of flight. So look now at my toe line, which is against the PVC pipe in comparison to the pipe going straight at the green in front of the ball. Those two angles are necessary for you to learn and practice setting up to, in order to learn how to make the draw swing happen for you. Let's look at the same setup from a frontal view, to help you visualize, what direction each part of your body should be pointing towards.
I bet you think I'm in a different position, and yet I haven't moved. Look at my feet, knees and hips are clearly square, but pointing 45-degrees to the right of my target, which is the pipe that's still in front of my ball and that represents what? The intended line of flight. Now observe that my club face is lined up square behind the ball and pointed directly down the center of the pipe. My chest and shoulders are parallel to my intended line of flight, too.
On the draw or fade shot, I will always choke down about an inch, to have a little more control of the club. The reason for my shoulders and clubface pointing down the target line is because it will assist in sending the ball to my target and my lower body will force me to swing on a strong inside out path, allowing the club to close quickly. This is what promotes the side spin I need to draw the ball. If you hood the club a bit more at address, you will hook the ball a lot and may end up out of bounds. Trust this set-up — it is reliable and it works. The view of the club path going back is pretty obvious in this photo and a few practice sessions using this set-up and swing, you will be delighted with the results.
This view of the actual swing through the ball shows my hands getting turned over at impact, which is ideal for drawing the ball. This hand position resulting from a solid release will add noticeable club head speed to the swing, and that gives you added distance. The club head is closed 90-degrees from its original position. This is a very clear shot of where you need the clubface to be, as you swing through the shot. Toe of the club pointing at the target and back of your right hand facing away from you. My right arm is fully extended pointing directly down the shaft. The ball has already left and I'm in good balance on my left side, looking at where the ball had been resting. This again indicates you are making the big release and that's the name of the game. Typically, I'll setup to this type of shot, with the ball placement, directly across from center chest. One ball forward starts to create a higher trajectory draw, which has its place when needed. One ball back of center is a good placement, when I'm looking to create a lower draw into the wind. Visualize your shot, all the way through, and where it will land at its pre determined destination before you commit.
This set-up and golf swing technique shown for this particular shot promotes the draw you're looking for and will meet your expectations. It is why the ball moves right to left, due to the side spin produced at impact. Practice this shot regularly to get comfortable with using it when required. There are many times when hitting the draw will be your best choice. If you've practiced it enough to be comfortable using it, you won't hesitate when the opportunity is presented to you. A high draw over a tree or a low draw under a tree is not uncommon and this golf swing tip will prepare you with the confidence, which can save you strokes on the score card.
Remember, golf swing instruction will only benefit you if you put some work ethics into your game. Proper golf swing mechanics are then realized from those ethics. They also pay big dividends on the course.
This completes this particular golf tip article and hope you will remember it from VanillaGorillaGolfTips.com. Check out our unique gifts page on our site for that special person you'd like to surprise. We offer you special savings for golf travel, equipment, tee times, golf discount cards and more. Thank you and remember to tell your friends and email buddies! Good golfing.
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