Draw Shape Drivers/Woods

[jswang519]

I just purchased a Callaway Big Bertha Diablo Fairway Wood 16* for 50 bucks on the FogDog Sports website. The only thing was, it is a Draw Shape club. I have never purchased or used a draw shape club before, but because it was only 50 bucks, I went for it.

Now that it is here, I am not quite sure exactly how to address the ball. Do I set up normally and the club will naturally make the ball go into a draw pattern? Or do I still set up as if I was hitting a draw? (Club face slightly closed and shoulders pointed slightly right of the target.

I am at the point where I can hit all of my irons straight, but can not shape my shots yet. Still trying to get used to the fairway wood. Any advice on this topic would help. Thanks in advance!

[mvmac]

Draw clubs just mean the club face is very closed, aimed left.  Most clubs will be slightly closed to square.

This is a good read

http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/ball_flight_laws

[sean_miller]

A lot of game improvement clubs are draw biased. Due to the weighting, and shape of the sole, they're almost impossible to set open at address and they tend to be easier to close prior to impact . . . even when you don't want them to. imho they suck.

[jswang519]

I only purchased it because it was only 50 bucks and I was hoping I would get used to it since it's my first fairway wood. I hope I could get used to it, because when I hit it solid, it feels great. So back to the initial question. Should I address the ball with the club face slightly open/closed/or neutral? and where should my shoulders be pointing?

Thanks mvmac for the article, I will read it when I have more time.

[mvmac]

The way the club is designed it's going to be tough to align is neutral.  Hit it and seem what happens

[Joe Jetson]

Your Question: "Now that it is here, I am not quite sure exactly how to address the ball. Do I set up normally and the club will naturally make the ball go into a draw pattern? Or do I still set up as if I was hitting a draw? (Club face slightly closed and shoulders pointed slightly right of the target."

My Reply: I have the Diablo "Draw" Driver. The clubhead is designed to be slightly "closed" (aimed to left for RH Player) when setting on flat surface. It is balanced that way, so if you try to square it up to your target line, it will feel slightly out of balance. The closed/draw design is intended to correct, or straighten out the ball flight for a player who regularly fades or slices their shots.

I have always played a consistent fade, but the sidespin created with my fade cost me some distance loss on carry and roll. The Diablo Draw Driver straightened out my fade to the point where I now set up straight down my target line. I have found that I gained about 20 to 30 yards by utilizing the built-in "Draw" feature of the Diablo Draw driver.

So, regarding your question on your setup, if you were previously a "fader" you should now be able to adjust your set up to aim squarely at your target. However, if you were previously a "hooker", the Draw design will make your hook worse. Finally, if you were a straight hitter, you should see a slight draw with this club.

One other thought- if you try to manually "square up" the clubface with how you grip the club, you will be working against the features designed into the club. It will change the weight balance and the loft angle of the club.