How to Hit a Draw Around Obstacles

A draw shot in golf helps you curve the ball around obstacles while maintaining control and distance. For right-handed players, it curves right to left; for left-handed players, left to right. Here’s how to master it:

Grip: Rotate your hands slightly right (for right-handers) to strengthen your grip and close the clubface at impact.
Alignment: Position your body slightly right of the target while keeping the clubface aimed at the target.
Ball Position: Place the ball slightly back in your stance for irons to create the right attack angle.
Swing Path: Use an inside-out swing path to achieve the desired curve.
Release Timing: Let your hands naturally rotate through impact without forcing it.

Why Use a Draw?

Navigate obstacles like trees or bunkers.
Achieve a lower trajectory with reduced backspin for better roll-out and control.
Create a safer starting line while shaping your shot.

Practice Tips:

Start with short irons and gradually move to longer clubs.
Use training aids like alignment sticks or tools like the "Draw Board."
Practice drills like the "Straight-Back Draw Drill" to build muscle memory.

Mastering the draw shot can improve your precision and help you tackle challenging course layouts. Ready to try it? Let’s dive into the details.

Draw Shot Setup Steps

Grip Adjustments

Start by tweaking your grip. For right-handed golfers, rotate your hands slightly to the right on the club handle. This adjustment strengthens your grip and encourages a closed clubface at impact – key for achieving the right-to-left ball flight of a draw. Once your grip is set, focus on aligning your body and ball position to match this change.

Body and Ball Positioning

To set up for a draw, align your feet, hips, and shoulders slightly to the right of your target. Meanwhile, keep the clubface pointed directly at the target.

For irons, position the ball a bit farther back in your stance, closer to your back foot. This adjustment helps create the right attack angle, leading to a consistent draw.

"If we want to do a draw, we’re just going to do the opposite. Put that ball in there. We’re going to shut the stance to the target a little bit. Okay, we come in. Face is still square. Right? That’s what makes it easy, face square to the target. If my body’s a little closed, it almost gives you the illusion that the face is shut so we can start curving it the other way. So we’ve got face at the orange, stance on the blue, and then let my swing just dictate that body line there. You’re going to see that thing start curving from right to left. Give it a try!"

Scott Tanguay, Coastal Golf Academy

Clubface Alignment

Getting the clubface right is crucial for a dependable draw. Studies show that the clubface largely determines the ball’s starting direction. Aim your clubface at the target while keeping your body slightly closed (to the right for right-handers). This setup ensures the clubface is closed relative to your swing path, which is essential for creating the desired draw curve.

With this setup, your ball should start just to the right of the target and curve back with a controlled draw shape.

Draw Shot Swing Technique

Inside-Out Swing Path

To hit a successful draw shot, you need to focus on an inside-out swing path. This technique helps create that right-to-left ball flight. Start by taking the club slightly inside during your backswing.

As you transition to the downswing, keep your hands close to your body so the club naturally drops further inside. This positioning allows the club to approach the ball from the inside, which is key for shaping a draw. Begin your downswing with a small hip shift toward the target to encourage this path.

Hand Release Timing

How and when you release your hands through impact determines how well your draw shot curves. The goal is to keep your release smooth and relaxed, allowing the club to rotate naturally through impact. Avoid forcing a flipping motion.

Here’s what to focus on:

Lead Wrist Position: Start your downswing with a slight bowing of your lead wrist.
Target Alignment: Guide your left hand toward the back of your left thigh as you make contact.
Natural Rotation: Allow the club to rotate naturally without trying to manipulate it.

This approach ensures your timing supports a consistent and effective draw.

Swing Balance

Good balance is critical for controlling your draw shot. Your weight distribution affects both your swing path and release timing.

Keep steady pressure on your feet throughout the swing. This stability helps you stay in control while executing the inside-out path and proper hand release. Shift your weight smoothly from your trail foot to your lead foot during impact.

Try the ‘motorcycle drill’ to practice: rotate the club through impact while keeping your lower body stable. This drill helps sync your body rotation with the club release, improving your balance and control. A stable swing is essential for navigating tricky situations on the course.

How to Hit a Draw Punch Shot Around Trees

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Draw Shot Practice Guide

Hone your draw shot skills with focused drills and the right equipment.

Draw Shot Drills

Drills are key to building muscle memory, maintaining tempo, and achieving consistency. One effective exercise is the Straight-Back Draw Drill. Set up a mid-range shot and practice drawing the ball straight back toward the rail. Focus on keeping a relaxed grip and a steady swing speed.

"If you come back with the cue and stroke through the golf ball at the same speed and keep a nice loose grip, the golf ball will come back with very little effort." – Darren Appleton

For better feedback, try using a marked ball. This lets you instantly see your contact point, helping you fine-tune your accuracy.

Club Selection Order

Work through your clubs in a structured way to improve both confidence and control. Start with shorter irons, which are easier to handle, then gradually move to longer clubs. Follow this progression:

Short irons (8-9 iron)
Mid irons (6-7 iron)
Long irons (4-5 iron)
Fairway woods
Driver

When practicing with irons, focus on body rotation and maintaining balance during your swing. As you transition to longer clubs, pay attention to controlling the clubface to avoid it opening too much during the swing.

Practice Equipment

Using the right tools can speed up your progress. One standout training aid is the Draw Board, designed to teach the inside-out swing path needed for a consistent draw shot.

"I’ve been teaching Golf for almost 35 years and the draw board that y’all have is one of the best teaching aids I’ve ever seen and ever used. I get so many great results." – Andrew Stiles, Golf Instructor, The Crossings Golf Course

The Draw Board offers progressive learning stages with wedge inserts tailored to beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. While priced at $349.00, it has proven highly effective for mastering draw shot mechanics.

Other useful tools include the Swing Align device for monitoring your swing plane, alignment sticks for setup accuracy, impact tape to check strike location, and video recording equipment for analyzing your swing. These can all enhance your practice sessions and help you refine your technique.

Playing Draw Shots Around Obstacles

Reading the Shot

Once you’ve got the basics of a draw shot down, it’s time to assess the situation. Look at the space available, identify your target line, and picture the curve needed to navigate the obstacle. Alignment sticks can help you visualize this better. Use your typical shot patterns to tweak your setup and club selection as needed.

"Too many parts of the game are out of your control. So I encourage the golfers that I work with to focus on the things within their control. It’s a short list with only two things. Your actions and your attitude." – Loren Fogelman, Author and Founder of Expert Sports Performance.com

This evaluation will guide adjustments to your stance and club alignment for clearing obstacles.

Shot Setup Adjustments

Different obstacles call for specific tweaks to your setup. Here’s a quick guide:

Obstacle Type	Setup Adjustments	Ball Position	Stance
Trees	Aim clubface right, grip down, use a low-lofted club	Back in stance	Closed relative to clubface
Bunkers	Widen stance, lower swing center	Forward in stance	Open for most players

"In order to draw the golf ball you must first make adjustments to your address and setup position. And the first modification you need to make is to point the golf club towards the right of the trees, where you want the ball to travel to initially."

Mental Game Tips

Technical skills are important, but your mindset plays a huge role too. Think back to a time when you nailed a draw shot – it can boost your confidence for the next one. A strong technical base helps build mental toughness, especially under pressure.

To stay calm and focused:

Practice under pressure to simulate real-game situations
Concentrate on what you can control
Use the time between shots to reset and visualize your next move

"Remember your good shots, and call that positive memory up as you face your next knee-knocker. You’ll play better golf, and have more fun too!" – GolfTipReviews.com

"The best golfers persevere when faced with adversity. They’ve trained their mental game to return to the moment. Don’t give up until you’ve hit the last shot in the game and sunk the ball into the cup."

Learning Resources

How To Break 80

How To Break 80 offers a Fix Your Slice & Hit a Draw Video Course priced at $99.00. This course breaks down adjustments in grip, stance, and swing path to help you master draw shots, especially when navigating around obstacles. Pair this with their Essential Golf Improvement eBook Bundle for $19.00, which provides concise tips on course management and making smarter shot selections.

"Breaking 80 is about discipline – whether sticking to hitting at the heart of the green, hitting irons off the tee, practicing your short game or splitting a 300 yard shot into two full shots – we need to stay on the path to greatness." – Golf Sidekick

If you’re looking to take your skills further, hands-on instructional programs can be a great complement to these online resources.

Training Programs

Structured training programs can help you fine-tune your draw shot techniques. For example, GOLFTEC offers options like the SKYTRAK "The Wall" Improvement Range, designed to improve your swing mechanics by simulating real obstacles. This setup encourages a push draw by requiring you to adjust your swing to avoid hitting the "wall."

Training Resource	Key Features	Focus Areas
SKYTRAK "The Wall"	Brick wall obstacle setup	Push draw technique
GOLFTEC Lessons	Personal instruction and swing evaluation	Setup and mechanics
Practice Range Sessions	Real-world obstacle simulation	Shot execution

"This unique setup forces you to adjust your swing to avoid hitting the wall and encourages a push draw." – GOLFTEC

GOLFTEC recommends aiming to curve 6–7 out of 10 shots successfully around obstacles. Their blend of technical coaching and practical exercises helps golfers build consistency and confidence in executing draw shots.

Additionally, using rangefinders or GPS devices during practice can sharpen your distance control. This precision is key when navigating obstacles and ensures your skills translate effectively to real course scenarios.

Summary

Main Points

To master a draw shot, focus on three key elements: a strong grip, proper alignment, and positioning the ball toward the back of your stance. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Backswing: Pivot deeply into your right hip while keeping the clubface closed.
Swing Path: Stick to an inside-out path that aligns with your body.
Body Position: Finish with your weight on your trail foot’s toes, chest facing the target.

With these fundamentals in place, use the practice plan below to refine your technique.

Practice Plan

Use this structured plan to build consistency with your draw shots:

Practice Phase	Focus Areas	Time Investment
Setup Practice	Work on grip and alignment drills	15–20 minutes
Swing Path Training	Practice inside-out paths with alignment sticks	20–30 minutes
Shot Execution	Hit draw shots around practice obstacles	30–45 minutes

Remember to keep your grip relaxed during practice.

"If you believe you can hit a draw, you’ll be able to." – August Noble

For more detailed instruction, check out the How To Break 80 Fix Your Slice & Hit a Draw Video Course ($99.00), which offers step-by-step guidance on mastering draw shots and overcoming course challenges.