Using alignment tricks is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve accuracy and consistency in golf. Most amateur golfers miss their target not because of a bad swing, but because they aimed incorrectly before even swinging. Here’s a breakdown of alignment techniques:
Why Alignment Matters
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Proper alignment ensures your swing path matches your intended target line.
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Poor alignment leads to compensations in your swing (e.g., slicing or pulling to correct aim).
Key Alignment Tricks
1. The Club-on-the-Ground Drill
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Place a club or alignment stick parallel to your target line on the ground.
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Set your feet along that club to make sure you’re square to the target.
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Use a second club perpendicular at your lead foot to ensure ball position is correct.
2. Intermediate Target Method
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Pick a spot (a leaf, divot, or discoloration) 2–3 feet in front of your ball on the target line.
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Align your clubface to that spot first, then set your feet parallel.
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This short target is easier to aim at than a distant flag.
3. Shoulder and Hip Check
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After setting up, place a club across your shoulders, then your hips.
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Make sure they’re parallel to the target line, not open or closed.
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Many golfers aim their feet correctly but leave shoulders misaligned.
4. Closed-Eye Test
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Set up as usual, then close your eyes and swing.
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Open your eyes after impact and see where the ball went.
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If it’s consistently offline, your alignment likely needs adjustment.
5. Pre-Shot Routine
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Always aim the clubface first, then build your stance around it.
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Many amateurs do the opposite, causing the clubface to point off target.
Bonus: Visualization Trick
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Imagine railroad tracks:
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The outer rail (ball to target) is your clubface line.
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The inner rail (feet, hips, shoulders) is parallel to that line.
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This mental picture keeps everything square.