Can you draw the golf ball with an open stance?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 19, 2026
Opening the stance does not limit the golfer to hit only a fade. Many golfers hit the ball with a draw from an open stance.
Can you hit a draw with an open clubface?
To play the perfect draw your club face should actually be open to your target line but closed to your swing path at impact. This will allow the ball to start right of target and curve back to finish on target.
What happens when you open your stance in golf?
And regarding the swing path, an open stance will promote an outside-in swing path which will lead to a ball with left-to-right sidespin, a spin associated with fades or slices.
Did Jack Nicklaus play with an open stance?
Jack Nicklaus is perhaps the best example of the efficacy of the open stance with a neutral grip. Mr. Nicklaus played the ball forward in his stance, producing a very vertical plane and a ball flight that was called a fade, but would drift to the right – almost imperceptibly, as it fell to the ground.
Should senior golfers open their stance?
Senior golfers should also play out of a slightly closed stance. This means your stance will be aligned slightly to the right of your target. This will also increase your backswing turn. The swings that last the longest are the long swings.
25 related questions foundCan you hit a draw with a neutral grip?
In general, we recommend having a neutral grip (not strong or weak) so that you can hit both types of shots. Plus, when you have a neutral grip, it makes it easier to shallow the golf club and attack the ball from the inside swing path. Your path plays a huge role in pulling off a draw shot.
Can you play golf with a closed stance?
The closed stance can help golfers that struggle to release the ball actually turn it over as they come through impact. In addition, the closed stance can also lower the ball flight. If the ball flight is a bit lower, you will also sometimes get some extra spin.
Should I flare both feet golf swing?
A good immediate solution that GOLF Top 100 Teacher Nick Clearwater suggests is flaring both of your feet. “Turning your toes out about 20 degrees — maybe even more — effectively makes you more flexible,” Clearwater says.
What causes a golf ball to draw?
“A right-handed golfer hits a draw when their club path is out to the right and their face angle is closed relative to that club path at impact,” reveals TrackMan's Justin Padjen. “Under these conditions, the ball will launch to the right of the target with a negative spin axis that sees it curve to the left.
What causes a push draw?
The Push Drawer's Problem
When most people try to hit a draw or push draw, they get overzealous and rotate the face too far left of the target at impact.
Where should my ball be in my stance?
The ball position with the driver should be farthest forward, just inside your left heel, then move progressively farther back until you get to your wedges, which should reside squarely in the middle of your stance.
Should I lift my left foot in golf swing?
It's OK to lift your left foot off the ground a little. And current players such as Bubba Watson do it also. Lifting your left heel up will help you rotate your hips for a bigger turn in your backswing. So if you're struggling with power and clubhead speed, then let your left heel lift up a bit.
What is the lead foot in golf?
The leaad foot pushing helps to create axis tilt, helps to shallow out the swing, and helps to create the space for the arms to swing past the body.
What pro golfers use a closed stance?
Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead both set up with a closed stance, and a golfer electing to play this way would be in good company! They are two of the most winning golfers in PGA history! The point is, no one stance is the right stance in golf, and golfers should test them all to find the best one suited to their swing.
How do you hit a draw every time?
Follow these proven steps and you'll be hitting a powerful draw in no time!
- Step 1: Align yourself to the right. ...
- Step 2: Re-align your club face so it's facing your actual target. ...
- Step 3: Re-grip. ...
- Step 4: Swing along the line of your body. ...
- Step 5: Finish strong. ...
- Step 6: Swing smooth. ...
- Step 7: Swing shallow on drives.
Why can't I hit a draw with my driver?
Why can't I hit a draw? You can't hit a draw for one of several reasons: path, grip and club face. If your grip is too weak or you swing with an 'over the top' path, it is likely you will hit a slice instead of a draw. If your club face is open at impact, this will also make it very hard to draw the golf ball.
Should shoulders be square at address?
GO: For most shots your body, including your shoulders, arms, hips and knees, should be square to your target line. NO GO: Your shoulders should not be open or closed relative to your target line. This causes an inside or outside takeaway path.
What does closed shoulders mean in golf?
A closed shoulder position is when the shoulders are aligned slightly right of the target, left of the target for the left-hand golfer. The closed shoulder position induces right to left ball spin. If the shoulders are open, the ball will spin left to right creating a slice for the right-hand golfer.
How wide should golf feet be?
1) Start from the feet up
Your feet need to be shoulder width apart, with the weight on the balls of the feet. This will help provide good stability. Stand too narrow and you'll fall over - or subconsciously swing less to stay balanced. Stand too wide, and your body won't be as free to strike the ball powerfully.