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The Draw Board training aid is a solid training aid that teaches the feeling of hitting a draw. Best for practice swings. Not gamified – best for those who are ready to put in the work.
Introduction
If there’s one thing that every new or high handicap golfer wants to do, it’s to hit a draw. You can see that in the popularity of my lesson on How to Hit a Draw [find it HERE] and how often the draw is the topic du jour on golf instruction shows. There is also no shortage of training aids that claim to teach the vaunted draw. The Draw Board is the latest in this line, and I tested it to find out if it can really turn your banana ball into a powerful draw.
Set Up & Ease of Use
The Draw Board slides out of the box ready to go. The kit includes the hitting mat and three foam wedges (above) that can be attached to the board to simulate a lie with the ball above your feet. Each of the wedges attaches to the bottom of the board with velcro for easy changes.
Using The Draw Board is straightforward: use the visual cue of the white path to create a rightward club path. This, combined with an appropriate club face angle, will create a draw.
Not sure why the ball curves? Get the facts HERE
If you want help getting started, The Draw Board has a QR code on the box that will direct you to a series of instructional videos. Just like the Power Shift Board [review HERE], these videos are all very short – 2 minutes or less. I can summarize the videos here: make sure to aim the board slightly right of your target, be patient, using the wedges will make your swing feel flatter and rounder, start with small swings, be patient, alternate between rehearsals with the board and normal shots, be patient.
Effectiveness
The Draw Board does two things to promote a right-to-left ball flight. First, it has a thick white line illustrating the desired “in-to-out” club path that will help produce a draw. Second, the board tilts toward the player, mimicking a lie with the ball above your feet, which will also promote a draw.
I think both of these elements are solid. I like that the white club path is not wildly exaggerated, but it’s rightward enough that slicers will feel a significant difference. The tilt of the board – which can range from zero to twelve degrees – helps to feel a flatter, more rounded swing. Also, the tilt of the board effectively points the club face left, further helping the ball turn over.
The problem with The Draw Board is that it lacks feedback outside of the ball flight. At low speed, I can watch my club head trace the white line. At full speed, I can’t. The Draw Board is very good for working on sensations and making practice swings, but, unless you’re on the range or have a launch monitor, you don’t know if you’re getting it right when you’re hitting the ball.
Longevity
The Draw Board has a number of positives when it comes to longevity. First, the variable slope helps it appeal to players of different skill levels. Players with severe slices may need all twelve degrees but can progress toward less. Second, it’s great for practicing away from the range since it’s best for air swings. Finally, the board itself is durable and should last even if you’re hitting full shots off it.
On the negative side, The Draw Board is not gamified, and it can’t be stored in your bag. As with the Power Shift Board, I can see the players who need this most feeling self conscious about using it at the range.
Overall, I rate The Draw Board average for longevity.
Value
The Draw Board retails HERE for $110, which I regard as being slightly below average for price.
When it comes to ingraining the feelings of hitting a draw, I think The Draw Board is solid. My one caveat is that it’s not particularly fun or engaging to use. If you’re a determined practicer who wants to beat their slice, this is a good value. If you’re looking for a training aid that will compel you to practice more, this isn’t it.
Conclusion
The Draw Board is a well-conceived training aid that helps to teach the feelings of hitting a powerful draw. If you are tired of slicing the ball, and you’re ready to commit to serious practice ingraining these sensations, you should add The Draw Board to your practice kit.
Buy The Draw Board HERE
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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2 Comments
Matt:
Is is available in left hand?
Thanks
Don,
To my knowledge, not at this time.
-Matt