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Everything You Need to Know About Golf Alignment Sticks

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Alignment might be the most-overlooked of all the fundamentals in golf.  Without good alignment, even the best swing in the world can be wasted.

However, many golfers will spend hours working on the technique in their swing and not even give a second thought to making sure they are aimed properly.  By spending some time working on your alignment on the range (with the help of some alignment sticks), you can step into your shots on the course with confidence knowing you are set-up correctly and ready to fire.

What is alignment, anyway?

In golf terms, alignment refers to the aim of both the club and your feet in the set-up position.  Proper alignment will have your club face pointed directly down the target line that you have picked out, with your feet along a line that is parallel-left of that target line (for a right-handed golfer).  Poor alignment will see the club face pointed out either to the right or the left of your intended line.

It is important to note that the “target line” does not necessarily refer to the middle of the fairway or the location of the cup.  In fact, rarely will you want to aim right at your final target and try to hit a dead-straight shot.  More often, you will be compensating one way or another by selecting a target line that allows the ball to move in the air.  There are a few reasons why you may want to aim off to the side of your eventual target when setting up for a shot:

  • Playing a draw or fade: Very few, if any, golf shots fly in a complete straight line from your club to the target.  More likely, you play a draw or a fade on most of your shots.  Choosing a target line that accounts for the left or right movement of the ball in the air is a necessary part of planning a good shot.
  • Fighting a windy day: If the wind is blowing significantly from one side of the hole to the other, that element will need to be accounted for in your alignment as well.  Judging how far to the side you should aim to play for the wind is a difficult task when first learning the game, but it is one that gets easier with experience.
  • Playing away from hazards: Another reason to alter your alignment is to simply avoid getting too close to trouble such as a water hazard or out-of-bounds markers.  Aiming a few yards away from the hazards gives your swing some margin for error and can help you avoid costly penalty strokes.

Using Golf Alignment Sticks

Now that you understand what alignment is, and why it’s so important, it’s time to get to work making sure yours is spot on.  That is where the use of golf alignment sticks come into play.  In the world of golf training aids, these are rather basic and fundamental items, but they can make a world of difference in your game.

Alignment sticks are simply a pair of slender sticks that can be placed on the ground to give you a visual aid as to how to align your body and the club face at address.  Of course, you can’t use these on the course during an actual round of golf, but they are great for practice sessions where you can train your eyes to see the proper alignment.  Once you put in enough practice time with the sticks, lining up successfully on the course should be a breeze.

The most-common way to use the stick is placing them down on the ground parallel to one another – one along your target line just next to the ball, and one along your toe line.  With this set-up, you will be able to get into your stance and feel what it is like to stand over the ball with proper alignment.

Don’t be surprised if it feels ‘funny’ at first – there is a good chance you have been misaligned for all these years and simply never knew it.

A Basic Practice Drill

The following steps outline a basic way in which to put your alignment sticks to good use.  To complete this drill, you will only need some space at a driving range, a mid-iron, some golf balls, and the alignment sticks themselves.

  1. Pick out a target downrange that is approximately the right distance for the mid-iron that you are holding.
  2. Place a golf ball down on the range mat or grass that you are hitting from, and set one alignment stick down next to the ball, aiming directly at the target for now.  Make sure the stick is just to the side of the ball enough that you will have room to swing down and hit the shot.
  3. Place the second stick parallel to the first so you can align your toes with it.  You might need to stand in an address position to judge how far away to place the stick.
  4. With the set-up complete, stand behind the shot looking down the range at your target.  Walk in to your stance, and place the club behind the ball.  Use the sticks to line up and don’t be tempted to adjust your aim once you are over the ball.  Trust the sticks and hit the shot.
  5. Watch the result and make adjustments to your target line accordingly.  If you are starting the ball at the target but then it fades off to the right, move your target line (and the alignment sticks) left until the shots are landing as close to the final target as possible.

While the above steps might seem a little complicated at first, this is actually a basic drill that can become natural and quick to set-up after just a few practice sessions.

One important note to remember is that your swing may have naturally compensated for your poor alignment over the years, so aiming more directly at the target might take some time to get used to.  Stick with it, trust your golf alignment sticks to point you in the right direction, and your game will be better for it in the end.

Here as well is another training drill utilizing golf alignment sticks in a different manner, as taught by Ted Norby, Director of Instruction for the National University Golf Academy:

Golf Aiming Tips | How to Use Golf Alignment Sticks to Improve Your Golf Ball Flight Trajectory

Visit http://www.NUGolfAcademy.org today to learn more about training for a career in golf at National University Golf Academy. Ted Norby, Director of Instruction for the National University Golf Academy, explains how to use golf alignment sticks to help improve your golf aim. To discuss this golf tip with other golfers and share your own, leave a comment below.

Where to Find Golf Alignment Sticks

Generally speaking, golf alignment sticks can be purchased through just about any golf equipment supplier.  Here are just a few that we recommend:


(Cover Photo Credit)

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