The Fundamentals of Alignment

Aim is more than your feet

Many golfers line up their shoes and assume they’re aimed. The ball only cares where the clubface points at impact, and your body lines influence how easy it is to deliver that face. Good alignment starts with the target, then works back to the ball.

Pick a precise target, not “the fairway” or “somewhere near the flag.” Choose a tree, bunker edge, or patch of green. Then find an intermediate spot a few feet in front of the ball and set the face to that.

Build the setup in order

A simple routine helps:

1. Stand behind the ball and choose the target.
2. Pick an intermediate spot on the start line.
3. Set the clubface first.
4. Place your feet parallel to the target line.
5. Let hips and shoulders match the shot you intend to hit.
6. Look once more, then swing.

For a straight stock shot, your body should feel like railroad tracks: clubface on the target line, body line parallel and slightly left for a right-handed golfer.

Common feels

Alignment often feels wrong when it’s finally right. A golfer who aims too far right may feel open when square. A slicer may aim left and then cut across the ball even more. Use clubs or alignment sticks during practice so your eyes learn a reliable picture.

Coach’s tip: Don’t use alignment aids to make practice robotic. Use them to calibrate your eyes, then remove them and test yourself.

Take it to the course

On the course, you can’t lay sticks down. You can still use the same routine: target, intermediate spot, face first, body second. The more specific you are before the swing, the less steering you need during it.