How important is allignment ?

[ThePuttKing]

I'm asking because I was practising yesterday with a 9 iron. My ball flight was the same, some straight, some pushed straight right. I tried a few different swing idea's and nothing changed.

I decided to check my allignment. I placed a club down and found out my shoulders and stance were closed. I corrected this and my ball flight changed. Mostly straight, some fades which started left and came back, a couple of slices.

So should I work on my allignment more ??

[LowPost42]

Re: How important is alignment?

I'd have to say alignment is the #1 thing. The pros are checking theirs all the time.

Any time I'm losing shots right, 9 times out of 10, it's because I'm aimed right - not because I'm pushing shots.

So, yes, you should work on alignment more.

[ph_kingston]

Re: How important is allignment ?

Absolutely! Alignment is tremendously important if you want to hit consistent and accurate shots. I think your little experminent during practice has shown that. Alignment not only affects whether you hit the ball left or right but it can also determine whether you hit a draw/hook or a fade/slice. You need to ensure that your pre-shot routine includes some careful alignment checks. Personally my pre-shot routine is as follows:

1) Stand well behind the ball and set myself a target in the background. I've tried intermediate targets too but that doesn't work for me.

2) Place my clubhead behind the ball in line with the target

3) Align my body along the same line and lift the cluhbead away (I find this helps me set a good spine anlge)

4) Look at the target to check I'm lined up well (if I'm not I step away and start again!)

5) Make a few small adjustments to ensure I'm comfortable and then initiate the swing.

This routine may not work for you but it may help you to develop your own to help your alignment.