Draw
A draw is a controlled shot that curves gently from right to left for a right-handed golfer (the opposite for a lefty). It is produced by a clubface slightly closed to the swing path but still open to the target line.
A draw is the gentle, playable cousin of the hook. It results from a path that is mildly in-to-out with the face between the path and the target line — closed to the path (causing the curve) but not closed to the target (which would over-curve into a hook). Many players chase a draw for the perception of extra distance, though modern data shows shot shape matters far less than centeredness of strike. "Draw" is a true cross-sport homonym: in cricket it is a match result, and in tennis a draw is the tournament bracket — different meanings, separate entries.
Example
A tee shot that starts at the right edge of the fairway and curves softly back to the center is a textbook draw.
Across sports
- Golf
- A right-to-left ball flight (for a right-hander).
Related terms
- HookA hook is a shot that curves sharply toward and past the target line — to the left for a right-handed golfer. It happens when the clubface is closed relative to the swing path at impact.
- FadeA fade is a controlled shot that curves gently from left to right for a right-handed golfer. It is the playable version of a slice, produced by a face slightly open to the swing path.
- Club PathClub path is the horizontal direction the clubhead is moving through impact, relative to the target line, in degrees. Positive is in-to-out (a draw bias); negative is out-to-in (a fade or slice bias).
- Face-to-PathFace-to-path is the difference between face angle and club path at impact. It is the single number that determines how much, and which way, the ball curves.
Related guides & benchmarks
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