Hitting the ball from right to left has its place and time on the golf course. Hitting a draw has three basic advantages.
- A draw travels further due to a lower ball flight and the type of spin put on the golf ball.
- Draw spin allows a player to strategically attack a pin tucked deep and left on a putting green.
- Play aggressively around obstacles that impede a straight shot to the green.
1. To eke out an extra 10-20 yards on a tee shot or a layup play go with the draw. The standard draw will fly slightly lower and on a more penetrating trajectory which will tend to roll longer on firmer fairways. Add to it, that the spin produced on a draw becomes overspin when the ball lands which gives it even more roll. When extra distance is desired, hit a slight draw down the middle.
2. When the flag is tucked deep and left on the green and trouble by way of sand bunkers, water and/or deep rough is left and long waiting to absorb golf balls, hitting a draw is an intelligent and conservative play.
Why? Because attacking a pin surrounded by trouble by hitting straight at it allows little room for error. If the shot is pulled left, you will find trouble and will possibly be looking at bogey for the hole.
Instead of flirting with hazards, set up for a draw and align the shot towards the middle of the green with the clubface pointing at the flag. Hit correctly, the ball will start out headed towards the middle of the green and then curve towards the flag. This play is safer because if mishit and not enough draw spin is placed on the ball, it is likely to end up mid green leaving a long lag putt -but a putt nonetheless. Hit correctly, it will track right towards the flag. If pulled a bit, you may get a break as the ball will still move in the direction of the flag without any spin to the left.
3. Being able to work the ball around obstacles is a part of being shot-maker. If only that tree weren't in the way! If you can bend it around a tree (of whatever is blocking the line to the green) you may just find the green and still make birdie! Who wants to chip it back into play when you can go around something?
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