The ball flight laws tell us that in order to hit a pull draw, the club face is aiming left of the target and the swing path is right of the club face. This causes a shot that will start left and then curve away from the path resulting in a pull draw.
Many golfers dream of hitting a beautiful push-draw. The shot that starts right of the target line and curves gently back towards the target.
When an elite golfer has it going on a given day, he or she is able to consistently hit this draw with both the driver and the irons.
This leads to consistently!
And every golfer wants to be more consistent. I would highly recommend learning to hit a stock draw shot, one that you can rely on under pressure and have a go to shot when you need it most.
Below, I will share an awesome drill with you to start heading in this direction and to develop the shot that many dream of.
But first, we must uncover the reason that those golfers that do hit a draw, why they hit a pull draw, leading to a frustrating setting where the golfer is standing at the driving range, working hard, but failing to get the results that he or she desires.
I have heard this question frequently…
Why Am I Hitting A Pull Draw?
Once you understand the ball flight laws, it becomes easier to understand the why and the simple correction you can make! (see below on ball flight laws)
The frustrating part of the pull draw is that your shot will often end up left of the target, unless you make the compensation in your setup and aim well right of the final destination for the ball.
I have witnessed some quality golf played like this, but over time, some simple adjustments in club face and direction can get you hitting the shot that you desire…the push draw!
How To Hit A Push Draw?
The ball flight laws tell us that in order to hit a push draw, the club face must be aiming right of the target line and the swing path must be right of the club face. This will result in a shot that will start right of the target and then curve back towards the target.
This is a shot that you will find many of the professionals and elite amateur golfers playing. While some do play the push fade, many have a go to stock shot with the push draw somewhere throughout their bag.
With the driver, the fade has become more common because many elite golfers feel they are better able to control.
What Are The Ball Flight Laws?
The ball flight laws are a set of basic physics principles that tell us what direction a ball will curve for the most part based on the clubface angle at impact as well as the direction of the swing path.
Angle of attack can impact the path, but for the most part there are some basic laws to understand that will allow you to read your ball flight and start making some adjustments.
The basic idea is that the ball will start in the direction that the club face is pointing at impact. From there it will curve based on the swing path relative to the club face.
For example, if your club face is 2 degrees right and your path is 4 degrees right. The ball will start right and curve left towards the target, which is away from the swing path direction.
Below are some basic scenarios to check your knowledge and see if you get the main point.
Ball Flight Laws: Scenario 1
- Clubface: 3 degrees right
- Swing Path: 5 degree right
The ball will start right of the target line (club face is 3 degree open or right) and curve away from the swing ptch, which means it will curve left.
The end result is a draw shot. The ball will curve a decent amount with these numbers.
This shot would be considered a push draw.
Ball Flight Laws: Scenario 2
- Clubface: 3 degrees left
- Swing Path: 5 degree left
The ball will start left of the target line (club face is 3 degree closed or left) and curve away from the swing path, which means it will curve right.
The end result is a fade shot. The ball will curve a decent amount with these numbers.
This shot would be considered a pull fade.
Here is a complete post on the Ball Flight Laws
Ball Flight Laws: Scenario 3
- Clubface: 3 degrees right
- Swing Path: 3 degree right
The ball will start right of the target line (club face is 3 degree open or right) and fly straight since the clubface and the swing path are the same number of degrees open or right of the target line.
The end result is a push shot. The ball will start right and stay right.
Ball Flight Laws: Scenario 4
- Clubface: 3 degrees left
- Swing Path: 3 degree left
The ball will start left of the target line (club face is 3 degree closed or left) and fly straight since the clubface and the swing path are the same number of degrees closed or left of the target line.
The end result is a pull shot. The ball will start left and stay left.
Ball Flight Laws: Scenario 5
- Clubface: 3 degrees left
- Swing Path: 10 degree left
The ball will start left of the target line (club face is 3 degree closed or open) and slice since there is a big gap between clubface and swing path. The end result is a pull slice. The ball will start left and curve hard to the right.
This is a shot that many amateurs struggle with. They continue to aim further and further left. The swing path keeps moving left and the face remains open. The end result is a full slice.
Ball Flight Laws: Scenario 6
- Clubface: 3 degrees right
- Swing Path: 10 degree right
The ball will start right of the target line (club face is 3 degree closed or open) and hook since there is a big gap between clubface and swing path. The end result is a pull slice. The ball will start right and curve hard to the left.
This is a shot that many elite amateurs struggle with. They end up getting too far inside with the swing path and try to save it by closing the clubface at impact.
How To Hit A Push Draw: Drill
I would recommend working on building a stock shot for your game. This is where you can rely on a draw or a fade, whichever you are most comfortable hitting under pressure and really work on hitting that shot in all situations.
Eventually, you could progress to hitting a draw or fade, whoever the shot calls for, but in the short term gain some consistency by working on building a stock shot.
Here is a drill you can utilize:
- Set up an alignment stick straight down your target line about 6-8 yards in front of you.
- Set up a 2nd alignment stick about 3-4 feet right of the first alignment stick.
- Go ahead and try to hit your shot between these two alignment sticks. . This will help you hit the ball with a slightly open face and get the ball starting right of the target.
- Once you can do this, notice the flight of the ball. If you are hitting a slight draw, perfect. If the ball is starting right and fading right, you will want to get your path further to the right or at least right of the clubface. This will help produce a draw.
- Work on this drill at every range session and build your stock shot!
Here is a video further explaining this drill:
What Is Causing a Pull Draw?
It is one thing to understand the ball flight laws and the science behind when you are hitting certain shots. We also have provided a drill to allow you to work on building a stock shot, but you might be wondering about some quick fixes to help with the pull draw.
Here are some fixes you can try to correct your pull draw and turn it into a push draw.
Key Fix: Move the ball slightly back in your stance
Some golfers struggle to catch the ball on the way going out in the swing arc. Every swing has an arch where in the downswing the swing is travelling right of the target.
The key here is to keep the face slightly open to the target and catch the ball on the backside of this arc before your swing starts moving left.
Many people think to hit a draw, they must turn their hands over. This is not necessary. Instead, just get your club face closed to the path, but open to the target.
A quick drill to try is the following:
- Setup with 70% of your weight on the front leg.
- Close your shoulders about 30 degrees closed.
- Aim your clubface down the target line.
- With your shoulders closed, swing along your shoulder line, trying to get the rest of your body still.
- You should be able to produce a shot that starts slight right and draws back towards the target.
- If the ball is starting left, slight open your club face, but keep your shoulders closed.
This drill is training your body to swing right and to get the ball started right by controlling the clubface. The number one issue high handicap golfers have is swing too hard from the top and now allowing the arms to work down and out.
Key Fix 2: Don’t be scared of right
Many amateurs become scared of right, as a result the learn to swing left and pull the ball. Instead, use the go to stock shot drill and learn to get the ball started right of that alignment stick.
Once you get the ball starting right, you know your path is open to the target. Now the simple task is to get your path right of the club face. This can happen with the drill above. Put these two drills together and you will be hitting a stock draw shot in no time.
You will be the envy of your friends and you will find the consistency that you crave!
How To Measure Your Swing?
We all want to know if we are truly hitting a push draw!
One of the great things about being a golfer in today’s era is that the instruction has come a long way and we now understand ball flight laws and what is actually impacting the curve of the ball. In addition, you can measure the interaction and spin axis on your ball through technology.
If you visit any PGA Tour stop you will see the majority of professionals use a launch monitor at some point throughout the week . Many are monitoring their clubface, swing path relationship as well as swing speed. These are important numbers to monitor to make sure you are keeping your swing within a certain range.
While many won’t have $16,000 to spend on a Trackman, there are some great affordable options that can be used at your local driving range, on the golf course or in your garage or house as part of a practice area of golf simulator setup.
Here are my top 3 recommend affordable golf launch monitors:
Some of the key information that you will be able to received immediately after every swing includes:
- Ball Speed
- Club Speed
- Launch Angle
- Spin Rate
- Spin Axis
Over time, knowing where your numbers are when you are making quality swings will help you groove a swing and become more consistent. When you are struggling, you can use your launch monitor to see where your numbers are at.
Is it a clubface or swing path issue? When your spin axis number is really high either way, you know there is a major gap between the two. In the ideal world, you have a 1-3 degree difference between clubface and swing path, unless you are trying to hit a hook or slice intentionally then a bigger gap is desired.
Where Can I Use A Golf Launch Monitor?
Closing Thoughts: My Secret To Golf Improvement
Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.
I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.
This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer. I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day.
I can practice or play rounds of golf. I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.
It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.