Are you Practising Alignment Correctly?

I feel the only way that you can work on perfect alignment is on the golf course. Getting in the correct position at address is all about reacting to the ever changing environment that each shot brings when out on the course.

Many golfers go to the range to work on their alignment; I feel in most cases this is a complete waste of time for a number of reasons.

1. You are never reacting to a real life shot, no matter how you practice the pressure of a shot on the range is very seldom the same as on the golf course.
2. Many golfers drag and scrape, therefore not going through their pre shot routine. If you do not start your shot like you would on the golf course then you will struggle to aim towards a target.
3. The outfield of most ranges are nothing like the view you see while out on the course. One of the reasons many golfers struggle with alignment is because of their inability to react to what is front of them when addressing the ball, i.e., bunkers, water, rough etc.
4. The last reason why golfers struggle to practice and improve alignment when on the range is because they lay the clubs/alignment sticks on the ground like this;

 

Placing clubs/alignment sticks on the ground in this way will NEVER (in my opinion) improve your alignment. The 2 lines are not representative to anything. There are only 2 lines that matter as far as alignment is concerned

1. Target Line
2. Body Line (parallel to target line and runs over centre of body pressure – Underneath the balls of your feet)

When you next go to the range place your clubs/alignment sticks (I use bamboo sticks – much cheaper!!) on the ground like this;

 

Clubs/sticks should be set on an extension of the target line and the body line. You will then be able to transfer these lines out onto the golf course.

After each shot start your pre shot routine (Think-Feel-Do) at the end of your extended target line.

You will also find that placing the clubs/sticks on the ground like this will also develop an awareness of the direction the club travels during your swing, bonus!

Let me know how you get on practising in this way.