Having a hard time hitting a draw? Is your ball continually slicing no matter what you try? The slice is a frustrating miss and learning to hit a draw can truly change your golf game. We tested The Draw Board, a tool designed to get you hitting a draw after just a few swings. Take a look at our results and whether this is a training tool worth investing in.
What We Tried: The Draw Board
The Draw Board. A training aid designed to help golfers of any level master the draw shot.
Why Hit A Draw?
If you are wondering what the big deal is about hitting a draw, it’s two fold.
- You will get more distance than you do with a slice or fade. Draw spin maximizes the carry and roll on a shot.
- You should be able to hit a draw on command: a tucked pin or moving your drive around a dogleg.
Who Tried It:
Britt Olizarowicz. MyGolfSpy writer and scratch golfer. My natural ball flight is a draw but teaching others what it feels like to hit a draw is challenging. I tested this to see if The Draw Board creates a natural draw.
What Is The Draw Board?
The Draw Board is like a large wedge with a hitting mat on top. The mat has the proper swing path for a draw outlined.
The wedge shape forces golfers (both left- and right-handed) to get a little further from the ball. The combination of the clubhead being a few inches higher and the increased distance from the ball brings the club to the ball on a more shallow path.
With The Draw Board, you get immediate feedback that can be used to build muscle memory. Hitting shots off The Draw Board surface is encouraged, although a tee can be used it’s not necessary.
Testing and Results
I took The Draw Board to the driving range. There is virtually no setup or learning curve. Pull it out of the box and get to work.
The Draw Board is a little heavy. It’s not difficult to carry but it’s awkward and not something you are going to keep in your golf bag.
I took some practice swings and followed The Draw Board’s path. You can use this tool with irons and woods but I started with an 8-iron to get the feeling down.
The Draw Board focuses on the technical aspects and the feel required to hit a draw. It puts your club and your body in the correct position and allows you to feel and visualize how to hit a draw.
Was I able to hit a draw using The Draw Board?
Absolutely.
In fact, every shot was a draw when using this tool.
Overall Impressions
There is no question that The Draw Board works. You will hit a draw. Skill level really is not a factor when using the Draw Board.
When I tested it, I was with two golfers with handicaps over 20 who gave it a try and were able to hit a draw.
I had three major concerns with The Draw Board that I think you should be aware of before purchasing.
- It’s not versatile. You will develop a single skill (even though it’s an important one).
- It’s a bit heavy. If you have a home practice center or are a golf teacher looking to expand the tools you have to teach students, it’s a good choice. It’s not great from a portability standpoint.
- It takes a few swings to adjust switching from The Draw Board to a traditional shot. The golf ball being up higher than your feet while using the Draw Board makes the transition back a little tricky.
Who Is This For?
The Draw Board is for golfers who have struggled with a slice or a fade and can’t get the feeling of what it takes to hit a draw.
It’s a durable and visually appealing training aid. I really like it for golf learning centers and teachers. If you have a place at home where you work on your golf game, you will like this. If you’re lugging it to the range, it’s annoying.
If you have swing path issues that are impacting distance and accuracy, The Draw Board will help. Even if you don’t hit a draw every time, knowing how your path affects your ball flight is helpful.
Final Thoughts and Tips
The Draw Board retails for $110. It’s durable and held up well while I hit dozens of shots directly from the mat. If you are a self-taught golfer looking for feedback and consistency, The Draw Board could be a fit.
Will
9 months ago
Couldn’t I just trace that swing path onto my existing mat for the same effect? Even with the explanation, I’m not grasping why it sitting at an angle is beneficial.