Setup drills for good alignment

[jcbdb]

Hi

I had a lesson last week and was told that my only real fault at the moment is my alignment.

I have been aligned right of target which was causing a few unwanted shots on the course.

I played today and a friend whose opinion I trust took a look at what I was doing on the course. Some shots I was aiming too left, some too far right, every time I aligned myself correctly I struck the ball really well.

So my question is, whilst I can put my two clubs on the ground in practice to get the correct feel what can I do on the course? I pick a spot on my target line about 2/3 foot in front of my ball and try and align myself around this but my feet and shoulders do not always get aligned correctly.

Anyone have a good pre shot routine for to ensure this is done correctly?

Cheers

JCBDB

[takinitdeep]

Re: Setup drills for good alignment

If at address you can see your left shoulder, you are aligned right; if you can see your right shoulder, you are aligned left.
One thing I do, standing behind the ball back of it 8-10 feet--pick a spot 6"to 1 foot in front of the ball lined up to where you want your ball to go, walk up to your address position keeping your eye on that spot and just take the stance, it works everytime to keep you lined up.

[Matt10]

Re: Setup drills for good alignment

I agree with the post above. However, I add one more thing - in order to take the stance, you have to do it properly. So pick the spot in front of the ball, and first align your LEADING EDGE of the clubface with that spot, then take your stance accordingly.

[jcbdb]

Re: Setup drills for good alignment

Cheers, but as said in my post, I do pick a spot as part of my pre shot routine and move into position around this.

The real problem is getting my feet aligned correctly. Shoulders are pretty consistent at setup, occasionally I out my arm straight up from my side to double check though.

Really I am looking for a pre shot routine that allows me to get my feet positioned correctly.

Prob needs to be more insictie through practicing alignment on the range though.

[Matt10]

Re: Setup drills for good alignment

Well for feet alignment, I just make sure my feet are parallel to my leading edge, sometimes I imagine that my lead foot is attached to the end of the shaft.

You're right, this is something to work with at the range - remember to do it everytime time, on every ball - that way it'll just become automatic on the course.

[vp27519]

Re: Setup drills for good alignment

Jc,

Trust is an important factor. When practicing I too have a club on the ground to assist with my alignment. I have always worked hard on the point as in the past, it was a bug bare.

When practicing I always incorporate my pre-shot routine.

As you do, I pick a mark forward of the ball. I walk to the ball and put the club face pointing at this mark. When doing this though, I put my right foot into position square/parrarel with this point. I visualise the imaginary line forward and back from the ball. I align my left foot and widening my stance slightly to this line. I liken it to a set of railway tracks.

On the course I trust this but when practicing I can check that the alignment is fine.

Hope I haven't warbled too much.

[Scragger63]

Re: Setup drills for good alignment

My pre shot routine (where I remember to use it ) goes something like this...

1. Standing behind the ball, pick out a leaf, twig, divot, or any other marking feature smewhere within a foot or so on the ground in front of my ball.
2. Keeping this spot in sight, move to the side of the ball (not setting my feet in my stance as yet!!!) and place club behind the ball, using the grooves to align the club face perpendicular to the line to the previously picked intermediate target.
3. Now go ahead and build your stance.

Everything should be ok from here.

In order to visualize, as VP suggested earlier, I try to think of train tracks. Ball & Clubhead on one rail and my feet on the other...

Hoping this helps...

Cheers

[takinitdeep]

Re: Setup drills for good alignment

Jcbbd:
The feet just fall into place with my method. I once in awhile look down across my toes and draw a visual line to make sure.
Always spot on.

[BrianW]

Re: Setup drills for good alignment

Hi,

I see many golfers take their stance then place the club, this leads to poor alignment in many cases. What I do is take my grip, lay the club face behind the ball and align it to the target, then build my stance around the club. I do this for all clubs including my putter.

[jcbdb]

Re: Setup drills for good alignment

Thanks.

I think I have it sorted after going to the range today as follows:

Picking my target (as normal)
taking my grip (as normal)
aligning the club face behind the ball whilst standing square with feet together
Setting posture
Moving feet apart whilst maintaining the square postion

Shots were going straight again and I was able to work the ball consistently.

Having gone through this I am sure my hips were aligned left of target.

Proves going back to basics can sort most problems anyway!

Cheers

JCBDB

[jambalaya]

Re: Setup drills for good alignment

Here's is something you can do to check your aligment. Take what you think is a square stance, then lay your club across your thighs with the handle pointing towards the target. If you look at where the handle is pointing that should give you a clear indication of your alignment with respect to the target.