World number one Scottie Scheffler is preparing to defend his Masters title and contend for his second major victory of 2024 at this week's U.S. Open at Pinehurst resort in North Carolina. 

The famously tricky Pinehurst No. 2 course will demand precise ball control from the field as they navigate Donald Ross' crowned greens. No one has demonstrated better ball striking and shot shaping this season than Scheffler, reveal his keys to hitting a draw - a shot that will be invaluable around Pinehurst.

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According to Scheffler, the first adjustments he makes are to close his stance slightly and move the ball back in his stance. "With the ball position here, the ball is going to start way out to the right," Scheffler explained. "And all I'm trying to do is get that ball to turn over as much as I can."

With his set up tweaked, Scheffler focuses on turning his trail forearm over through the hitting area to encourage the desired draw spin. As he's swinging through to his follow through, he really focused on turning that trail forearm, which is really going to help the ball shape and curve it from right to left.

Being able to work the ball both ways will serve Scheffler well as he navigates Pinehurst's treacherous layout and sloping greens. With his current form, in which he has won five of his last eight starts worldwide, Scheffler will be the odds-on favourite to contend for his second national open title. 

But with a fiercely competitive field on one of the game's ultimate tests, execution will be key - and having the draw in his arsenal could make all the difference.

We'll see if Scheffler can defend his Masters magic and add a second major to his collection this weekend at Pinehurst. But with his proven strategy for hitting draws, he will certainly have another weapon at his disposal to navigate Ross' devious design.

How does Scheffler's draw technique differ from other top players

While the fundamentals of hitting a draw are similar across top players, Scheffler's technique has a few subtle distinctions when compared to his peers.

Scheffler relies more on small modifications than other players who open their stance more considerably or move the ball ahead in their stance. There aren't many distinctions between his closed stance and the ball location in his setup when compared to a neutral setup. This enables him to stay consistent while making little, accurate adjustments.

Additionally, Scheffler's emphasis is distinctly on turning his trail forearm through the shot. Many players focus more on controlling the face or swinging out-to-in, but Scheffler trusts his arm turn to shape his trajectory. This hand-centered approach gives him clear feel and feedback on his draw spin.

A nuanced difference is also Scheffler's ability to turn his draw on and off. Some players hook the ball if they overdo their draw spin, but Scheffler's controlled arm motion allows him pinpoint control of the ball flight. He can hit straight shots as easily as sharp draws when needed.

So while the principles are alike, Scheffler's draw technique stands out in its refined subtleties and emphasis on a clear feel and motion. These small variants allow him surgical command of his draw shot shape around the course. It's a refined strategy befitting the current world No. 1.

Read more: Pros Testing Advanced Green-Reading Tool at Pinehurst Open

What are the common mistakes when trying to hit a draw?

Extremely open stance - If a player opens his stance too much, they may come over the top and slice the ball. The ideal narrowing is a mild one.

Ball position too forward - It's difficult to square the clubface at contact when the ball is too far ahead, which might result in fades or slices. The middle of the stance or a little bit back is where the ball should be positioned.

Swinging out to in - If a player thinks about swinging their arms and body out to the target and in, it can cause them to hook. Focusing on the forearm turn works better.

Losing the trail elbow - Letting the trail elbow fly outwards or releasing it early ruins the effect of the forearm turn and shuts the face. The elbow must stay tucked.

Coming over the top - One of the biggest culprits for slices. Players must drop the arms straight down from the backswing and not come around the body.

Overdoing hand action - Aggressive wrist cock or release through impact can cause hooks when trying for a draw. Smooth wrist angles work best.

Improper setup - Small differences like ball position, stance width, posture and grip pressure all affect shot shape. Getting the setup right is key.

References: https://golf.com/instruction/scottie-scheffler-keys-hitting-draw-play-smart/

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