What happens if I set my driver to draw?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

When you set your driver to draw, you are essentially adjusting the weight distribution of the club head to promote a right-to-left ball flight for right-handed golfers (left-to-right for left-handed golfers). This adjustment can have several effects on your shots.

1. Improved Draw: By setting your driver to draw, you are positioning more weight towards the heel side of the club head. This helps to close the club face at impact, reducing the likelihood of an open or slice shot. The closed club face encourages a right-to-left ball flight, which can be beneficial for golfers who tend to fade or slice the ball.

2. Increased Gear Effect: The gear effect refers to the phenomenon where the spin axis of the golf ball is influenced by the club head’s motion at impact. When you set your driver to draw, the additional weight towards the heel side of the head can enhance the gear effect. This means that even if you don’t hit the ball perfectly on the sweet spot, the club head’s motion can still impart left-to-right spin, helping to correct a fade or slice.

3. Easier Club Face Closure: The weight distribution towards the heel side also makes it easier to close the club face through impact. This can be especially helpful for golfers who struggle with keeping the club face square at impact. The closed club face at impact helps to launch the ball with a right-to-left spin, promoting a draw.

It’s important to note that setting your driver to draw doesn’t guarantee a perfect draw on every shot. The degree of draw will depend on various factors, including swing mechanics, club head speed, and the golfer’s natural shot tendencies. Additionally, adjusting the driver to draw may also affect other aspects of your shot, such as launch angle and spin rate.

If you decide to experiment with setting your driver to draw, it’s recommended to do so under the guidance of a professional or experienced club fitter. They can help you find the optimal settings for your swing and provide valuable insights on how to maximize the benefits of a draw-biased driver.

Setting your driver to draw can have several effects on your shots, including improved draw, increased gear effect, and easier club face closure. However, the results may vary depending on individual factors, and it’s advisable to seek professional guidance when making adjustments to your driver.