Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you play smarter, better golf.
This week the best golfer’s in the world are headed to Pinehurst for the U.S. Open. Donald Ross’ No. 2 course will play host, and his diabolical crowned greens are sure to give players fits. To have success around there, you’ll need to be in total control of your golf ball.
In 2024, no golfer has been more in control of their ball than Scottie Scheffler. The world No. 1 already has five wins this season, including the Players and the Masters, and hasn’t finished outside the top 20 yet. If anyone is built to dominate around Pinehurst No. 2, it’s Scheffler.
One of the reasons Scheffler has been so successful this season is his ability to hit every shot a course asks of him. No matter if it’s a high ball or low one, a fade or a draw, the two-time major winner can shape the ball in all the right ways.
In today’s edition of Play Smart, we hear from the man himself on how he hits a draw, which you can watch in the video below.
Slingin' it with Scottie Scheffler.
— TaylorMade Golf (@TaylorMadeGolf) April 5, 2023
Those tricky tee shots at the 10th and 13th holes at Augusta call for certain shapes and trajectories. Here’s how the reigning champ does it. #Stealth2Fairway pic.twitter.com/RdxQAEjWdV
How to hit a draw
A draw is one of the most sought-after shot shapes in all of golf. There’s just something aesthetically pleasing about watching a draw come off the clubface. Hitting a draw isn’t so easy, though. Because most recreational golfers struggle with coming over the top, hitting a draw is the exception rather than the rule.
However, if you want to hit a draw on command, all you need to do is make a couple of key adjustments. First, close your stance just a touch, and then move your ball position to the back of your stance.
“With the ball position here, the ball is going to start way out to the right,” Scheffler says. “And all I’m trying to do is get that ball to turn over as much as I can.”
With these set-up tweaks made, all you need to do to turn the ball over is focus on your trail forearm. As you swing to your follow through, focus on turning that trail forearm over to help the ball get that intended draw shape.
