Almost every golfer dreams of seeing a powerful draw fire off of their driver.
Most amateur golfers suffer from a slice with their driver, coming over the top with their swing as they try to generate more power. And if the proper corrections aren’t made, it’s an issue that only compounds itself.
Hitting a draw is ideal for players who want more distance off the tee. Those shots are typically hit with less spin, which sees the ball roll out further than fades.
And who better to learn a draw from than Tiger Woods’ former coach, Butch Harmon? Not only was he a key part of the success of the greatest golfer of all time, but he’s also excellent at giving clear and concise golf tips for amateurs.
He once gave out some simple tips to get rid of your slice and start drawing the ball instead.
How Butch Harmon draws the ball with his driver
Harmon recognized one key issue that he thinks is common among many amateur golfers, and gave some simple advice on how to fix it.
Speaking to Golf Digest, he said, “Are you this guy that comes up on the tee and you really want to bust this drive out there, you get in here and you think this is such a powerful position: big ol’ wide stance bent over like you’re just going to really knock the heck out of this?
“Well let me explain something to you. You’ve got no chance hitting a good shot from this position, and I’ll tell you why. From this position, you’re too far away from the ball as you swing.
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Gravity is going to want to pull you to the ground, you’re going to end up standing up, hitting the ball off the toe in some kind of weak slice out to the right.
“If you want to hit a good, powerful drive, I want you to get in a nice, little bit of a closed stance position. You pull your right foot back a little, your hips and your shoulders are aimed a little down the right side.
“This will give you the feeling of coming a little more from the inside, hitting the inside of the ball, and letting you swing out to the right with a nice release. So next time you want to hit a good one, get this little bit of a closed stance, get some good rhythm.”
It might seem counterintuitive, but if you aim right, the ball will come left! Ignore your instincts and trust Harmon on this one.
Why Butch Harmon’s advice works
The problem with a wide stance that leans over the ball is balance. When you are bent over and swinging the club hard, the centrifugal force pulls your body outward.
To avoid falling, your brain forces your body to stand up through impact, a move known in golf as early extension. This lift pulls the clubhead across the ball, resulting in a massive slice.
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So to unlock true power, Harmon’s suggestion of a closed stance creates a better pathway for your club. This alignment shift does two things: promotes an in-to-out path, and encourages a better release.
The stance makes it physically easier to swing from the inside, promoting a draw, and allows your forearms to release the club and rotate naturally.
Setting up like this lets you stop fighting gravity and use your body’s natural rotation to find the fairway.
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