Golf Shot Alignment: How To Setup | 3 Simple Adjustments | Tips
Alignment in golf is easily one of the most important, as well as overlooked, parts of the setup in golf.
After all, it really doesn’t matter how good your golf ball striking is if you can’t hit a single shot on line.
So get ready to eliminate any confusion you may have about alignment and start hitting more fairways and greens with the instruction below, from our latest Premium Video!
Do You Make Alignment a Priority?
Every shot you play in a given round of golf will require you to hit at a different target, but can you honestly tell me you think about alignment more than a few times in a round?
I doubt it. Most players I see just dig in, aim in the general direction of the target (sometimes) and fire away.
In a game that, in most cases, severely penalizes even the smallest mistake, we have to make alignment a priority, and you have to practice it.
3 Simple Adjustments to Start Shaping Your Shots
The Dead Straight One (Top Center): Ahhh, always first to be explained and always the hardest to achieve LOL! Your alignment in golf for a straight shot is basic, that’s why we’ll list it first, how’s that?
- Pick Your Starting Line: This is where you want the ball to end up, this is where you point the clubface.
- Bonus: I Like to base everything off the clubface. Why? Because it’s far easier to base your setup in golf off of something 2 ft away from you, rather than aim at something that’s 300 yards away.
- Align The Body: Be sure to align the feet, hips and shoulders on a line parallel to your target line. Basically, if your target line is the flag and you stand roughly 2 feet away from the ball at address, your feet should be aimed roughly 2 feet left of the target.
- The Double Bonus: Although I’m a big Kentucky Wildcat fan, we’re not talking about basketball here!
If you’re the player that likes to flare the left toe out slightly at address—and I will discuss this more in the New Premium Video—try setting up with your Tour Stick on your heels rather than your toes when practicing.
If you use the toe line and are checking your golf setup alignments on video or in a 360° Convex Mirror, it may “appear” you’re setting up open.
Shaping Shots, The General Rule of Thumb
Bottom line when shaping a shot: align your body, feet, hips and shoulders where you want the ball to start.
- Hitting a Fade or Cut: If I want to hit a fade, I’m going to pick my target line, or where I want the ball to end up and point the clubface down this line (above left).
- From there I’m going to align my body, let’s say 10 yards left of my eventual target and swing more to the left and let that ball curve back to the right. If I want to play 30 yards instead of 10, I’m going to line up a little farther to the left.
- Hitting a Draw or a Hook (above right): If I want to hit a draw, I’m just gonna take the same thing and flip it around. Align my body 10 yards to the right of my eventual target, swing a little more inside out and let the ball curve back.
You see, mastering your setup in golf and practicing your alignment in golf can pay off big time. Next time you head out to practice or play a round of golf, give it some love and reap the rewards!
Watch the Entire New Premium Video Now!
In the rest of this new Premium Video on how to aim in golf, I will discuss “parallel left alignment” and how flaring the left foot may (or may not) benefit you.
We would love to hear your feedback on our latest article and video, so please log in and comment below!
Related Free and Premium Content: (Learn About Membership)
- Control Your Golf Ball Like a Tour Pro
- Control Your Traj Like a Tour Pro – The High Ball
- Control Your Traj Like a Tour Pro – The Low Ball
