Hi Paul,
I have tried this “pointer” tip and it works great. I combine it with another alignment help , ie, putting my club across my thighs at address. Btw, I I am occasionally frozen over ball at address esp if I am working on a swing position. Can you do a video on backswing triggers to enable smooth takeaway from address position? Thanks again for making golf fun and exciting again. David
You really shouldn’t be getting stuck over the ball as you go back. If you are working on swing positions you are doing so on the range. When you play just think of coiling your shoulders back. This is a pretty simple thought that will allow you to develop torque as you go back.
Choose to work on your body positions first on the range. This means coiling, moving the head, weight shift, lower body stability. Once you get this work on the wrist hinge. You can do that here:
Hi Paul. Thanks for this alignment tip. I’ve never seen it in any of the golf magazines and have always relied on standing behind the ball and picking a spot down the fairway. This method makes a lot of sense and I’ll use it the next opportunity I get.
Thanks. There is a lot of stuff I say that you will never hear anyone else say. I will just keep trying to get the word out. I did hear someone steal one of my things the other day. Funny.
Paul
I understand this if I’m trying to work the ball left to right,But what if i want to draw the ball.Do i still line up left of the target with the club square to the target?Do I just drop my right foot back a little? I’m a little confised on this
This depends on whether you are hitting a real draw or a fake draw. It is important to know the difference. My preference is the fake draw unless you naturally have a real draw. I did an article on it here:
Paul, I wish I saw this tip during my golfing season. I am one of the many that always setts up and is aiming too far right , although I think I’m properly aligned. Now I have to remember this and incorporate it into my set up when I golf again next Spring. I really enjoy watching your video tips.
I’m uncertain about aligning parallel left of the target. using the example of the driver 15 yards parallel of target it would seem that the 2nd alignment stick would not be parallel to the 1st stick which is aimed exactly at the target would It? ie. wouldn’t the 2nd stick be at a slight angle left of the 1st stick so that an extended line of the 2nd stick would be at a point 15 yards left of the target. if the two sticks were parallel wouldn’t the distance be equal to the distance between the two sticks rather than the 15 yards for the driver etc. Or are you saying to align the first stick to a point 15 yards left of target for the driver and the 2nd stick parallel to the first?
Basically, you are looking at 2 perspectives at the same time.
Things in the distance get smaller therefore the distance you are away from the ball when you set up to the ball is not the same as it is in the distance. All you have to do to understand that you must aim left is have someone set up to the ball. Aim their feet, hips shoulders at the target. Then stand down the line and see where they would hit the ball. They would hit it about 15 yards right. Next, aim their body 15 yards left. If so, you will see that they will be right on target.
This amount you aim left decreases as you use shorter clubs because you are not looking as far in the distance.
I thought I explained this in my alignment tips. I think you need to try this with a friend so you can see it live. Then watch the tips again.
I align stick #1 LEFT of the TARGET. I align stick #2 PARALLEL to stick #1. I align my feet, hips and shoulders PARALLEL to stick #2. I vary the distance LEFT of the TARGET from 4 yards with a wedge to 15 yards with a driver.
In other words, neither the two sticks nor myself are aimed exactly at the target.
No you align stick 1 at the target. You align stick 2 parallel to stick 1. You take away stick 1 and you should be perfectly aligned. The farther you look into the distance, the more it appears you aim left.
Neither of the sticks are ever aimed at the target. True.
I’m still confused.
The first stick, #1, where the ball rests, is or is not aimed at the flag stick?
Is the second stick, #2 is placed about 1 pace inside & parallel to #1 and the feet, hips & shoulders are aligned parallel to #2 ?
Looking down the line from stick #2 does it appear we are hitting slightly left of the flag stick but in reality a straight shot will go directly at
the flag stick?
Does hitting a wedge, say 70 yards, versus a fairway wood, say 200 yards, change the way the two sticks are aligned at the flag stick?
If so what changes would you make for these two clubs?
Sorry to use up your time by prolonging this but I want to know. Thanks Paul.
Hi Paul
I too am completely perplexed by this alignment concept and have been since I first saw it on your excellent Body Swing videos, but perhaps I am misunderstanding something. Every article on alignment that I have ever seen tends to use the ‘railway line’ analogy with the ball to target line being one set of rails and the golfers body being on the other, parallel set of rails. Even though I agree things look smaller the further away they are, why would one aim your body at a point 15 yards left of the flag and not 3-4 feet left of the flag, which is where it would be aiming if you are using alignment rods?
Many thanks
Stuart
Just keep it simple. Your body aims left with all clubs because you are not standing on the line. You are standing left of the line. It is like railway tracks that never meet in the distance.
You wouldn’t aim 3-4 feet left with driver because at 250 yards out that is right next to the pin which is just like you aiming at the target. Things in the distance get smaller. This is why is is a visual thing. To see it place a club at pointing right at the target. Set up with driver with your feet on this first club. Then take a second club and put it where the ball would be if you were setting up to it. Make sure it is parallel to the first club. Then go back. If so, you will see you would be aimed way right. Now aim the first club about 15 yards left of the target. Set up and place the second club parallel to the first. Now you will see what I am talking about. I can literally sit here trying to explaining this for an hour. Much easier if you try it and see it.
So in the future place down a club or alignment stick at the target. Then place a second club about a foot or so from the first club (parallel) pick up the first club. Now you will have the club or alignment stick aligned properly.
Hi Paul
This is a great tip. Somehow back in the day I realized on my own that putting the club across my thighs was a better way to tell if I was aligned properly. Unfortunately I was still aiming at the flag so now I know …too far right. I will try the pointer on the range. I think where folks are getting confused about the parallel sticks and aiming parallel left is when you say “with driver aim 15 yards left”. They should know that you mean the stick is aimed 15 yards left of the spot you want the ball to end up…not 15 yards left of a point 10 feet away. Then you line up parallel to the aim stick or…parallel left..
If I just made things worse feel free to delete this comment 😉
I know the glazed look everyone gets when I try to explain it. So I try to keep it simple. If people can just set up then lay a club down they can see it. Once they see where they are aligned they can use the guidelines I provided. This is so important and it can be a little tricky but once people do it (right) they will get into the habit of doing it forever.
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19 Responses to “How To Get Perfect Alignment On the Course”
October 9, 2013
DavidTengHi Paul,
I have tried this “pointer” tip and it works great. I combine it with another alignment help , ie, putting my club across my thighs at address. Btw, I I am occasionally frozen over ball at address esp if I am working on a swing position. Can you do a video on backswing triggers to enable smooth takeaway from address position? Thanks again for making golf fun and exciting again. David
October 10, 2013
Paul WilsonDavid,
Glad you like it. Thanks.
I did a tip on starting the backswing here:
How to Pull The Trigger: https://ignitiongolf.com/pull-trigger/
You really shouldn’t be getting stuck over the ball as you go back. If you are working on swing positions you are doing so on the range. When you play just think of coiling your shoulders back. This is a pretty simple thought that will allow you to develop torque as you go back.
Choose to work on your body positions first on the range. This means coiling, moving the head, weight shift, lower body stability. Once you get this work on the wrist hinge. You can do that here:
3 Ways to Set The Top of the Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-top-3-ways
October 9, 2013
RonCalabreseHi Paul. Thanks for this alignment tip. I’ve never seen it in any of the golf magazines and have always relied on standing behind the ball and picking a spot down the fairway. This method makes a lot of sense and I’ll use it the next opportunity I get.
Best Regards,
Ron
October 10, 2013
Paul WilsonRon,
Thanks. There is a lot of stuff I say that you will never hear anyone else say. I will just keep trying to get the word out. I did hear someone steal one of my things the other day. Funny.
October 9, 2013
TonyAndrenHi,
Wow, what an eye opener! Thanks for this, will try it out next time on the course!
Tony
October 10, 2013
Paul WilsonTony,
Glad you liked it. Thanks.
October 9, 2013
TIMADAMSPaul
I understand this if I’m trying to work the ball left to right,But what if i want to draw the ball.Do i still line up left of the target with the club square to the target?Do I just drop my right foot back a little? I’m a little confised on this
October 10, 2013
Paul WilsonTim,
This depends on whether you are hitting a real draw or a fake draw. It is important to know the difference. My preference is the fake draw unless you naturally have a real draw. I did an article on it here:
http://swingmachineblog.com/how-to-draw-the-golf-ball.html
http://swingmachineblog.com/how-to-hit-a-fade.html
Also:
Should You Hit a Draw or a Fade?: https://ignitiongolf.com/hit-draw-fade/
How To Perfect Drawing and Fading: https://ignitiongolf.com/perfect-drawing-and-fading/
December 11, 2013
HarveyKirkPaul, I wish I saw this tip during my golfing season. I am one of the many that always setts up and is aiming too far right , although I think I’m properly aligned. Now I have to remember this and incorporate it into my set up when I golf again next Spring. I really enjoy watching your video tips.
December 12, 2013
Paul WilsonHarvey,
Glad you like the tips. Make sure you watch a few of the alignment ones too:
How To Put Down an Alignment Stick Properly: https://ignitiongolf.com/alignment-stick-placement/
Change Clubs Change Alignment: https://ignitiongolf.com/change-clubs-change-alignment/
How To Get Perfect Alignment On the Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/perfect-alignment-on-course/
November 4, 2014
JamesChapleauI’m uncertain about aligning parallel left of the target. using the example of the driver 15 yards parallel of target it would seem that the 2nd alignment stick would not be parallel to the 1st stick which is aimed exactly at the target would It? ie. wouldn’t the 2nd stick be at a slight angle left of the 1st stick so that an extended line of the 2nd stick would be at a point 15 yards left of the target. if the two sticks were parallel wouldn’t the distance be equal to the distance between the two sticks rather than the 15 yards for the driver etc. Or are you saying to align the first stick to a point 15 yards left of target for the driver and the 2nd stick parallel to the first?
November 4, 2014
Paul WilsonJames,
Basically, you are looking at 2 perspectives at the same time.
Things in the distance get smaller therefore the distance you are away from the ball when you set up to the ball is not the same as it is in the distance. All you have to do to understand that you must aim left is have someone set up to the ball. Aim their feet, hips shoulders at the target. Then stand down the line and see where they would hit the ball. They would hit it about 15 yards right. Next, aim their body 15 yards left. If so, you will see that they will be right on target.
This amount you aim left decreases as you use shorter clubs because you are not looking as far in the distance.
I thought I explained this in my alignment tips. I think you need to try this with a friend so you can see it live. Then watch the tips again.
Alignment: https://ignitiongolf.com/golf-alignment
How To Put Down an Alignment Stick Properly: https://ignitiongolf.com/alignment-stick-placement/
Change Clubs Change Alignment: https://ignitiongolf.com/change-clubs-change-alignment/
How To Get Perfect Alignment On the Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/perfect-alignment-on-course/
November 5, 2014
JamesChapleauBare with me on this as I want to get it right.
I align stick #1 LEFT of the TARGET. I align stick #2 PARALLEL to stick #1. I align my feet, hips and shoulders PARALLEL to stick #2. I vary the distance LEFT of the TARGET from 4 yards with a wedge to 15 yards with a driver.
In other words, neither the two sticks nor myself are aimed exactly at the target.
Thanks for setting me straight.
Jim
November 5, 2014
Paul WilsonJames,
No you align stick 1 at the target. You align stick 2 parallel to stick 1. You take away stick 1 and you should be perfectly aligned. The farther you look into the distance, the more it appears you aim left.
Neither of the sticks are ever aimed at the target. True.
November 8, 2014
JamesChapleauI’m still confused.
The first stick, #1, where the ball rests, is or is not aimed at the flag stick?
Is the second stick, #2 is placed about 1 pace inside & parallel to #1 and the feet, hips & shoulders are aligned parallel to #2 ?
Looking down the line from stick #2 does it appear we are hitting slightly left of the flag stick but in reality a straight shot will go directly at
the flag stick?
Does hitting a wedge, say 70 yards, versus a fairway wood, say 200 yards, change the way the two sticks are aligned at the flag stick?
If so what changes would you make for these two clubs?
Sorry to use up your time by prolonging this but I want to know. Thanks Paul.
August 18, 2017
StuartCraigHi Paul
I too am completely perplexed by this alignment concept and have been since I first saw it on your excellent Body Swing videos, but perhaps I am misunderstanding something. Every article on alignment that I have ever seen tends to use the ‘railway line’ analogy with the ball to target line being one set of rails and the golfers body being on the other, parallel set of rails. Even though I agree things look smaller the further away they are, why would one aim your body at a point 15 yards left of the flag and not 3-4 feet left of the flag, which is where it would be aiming if you are using alignment rods?
Many thanks
Stuart
August 18, 2017
Paul WilsonStuart,
Just keep it simple. Your body aims left with all clubs because you are not standing on the line. You are standing left of the line. It is like railway tracks that never meet in the distance.
You wouldn’t aim 3-4 feet left with driver because at 250 yards out that is right next to the pin which is just like you aiming at the target. Things in the distance get smaller. This is why is is a visual thing. To see it place a club at pointing right at the target. Set up with driver with your feet on this first club. Then take a second club and put it where the ball would be if you were setting up to it. Make sure it is parallel to the first club. Then go back. If so, you will see you would be aimed way right. Now aim the first club about 15 yards left of the target. Set up and place the second club parallel to the first. Now you will see what I am talking about. I can literally sit here trying to explaining this for an hour. Much easier if you try it and see it.
So in the future place down a club or alignment stick at the target. Then place a second club about a foot or so from the first club (parallel) pick up the first club. Now you will have the club or alignment stick aligned properly.
This might show it better:
Change Clubs Change Alignment: https://ignitiongolf.com/change-clubs-change-alignment/
Also, here is the alignment video from my Swing Machine Golf videos:
Alignment: https://ignitiongolf.com/golf-alignment
April 9, 2019
ALAN D.Hi Paul
This is a great tip. Somehow back in the day I realized on my own that putting the club across my thighs was a better way to tell if I was aligned properly. Unfortunately I was still aiming at the flag so now I know …too far right. I will try the pointer on the range. I think where folks are getting confused about the parallel sticks and aiming parallel left is when you say “with driver aim 15 yards left”. They should know that you mean the stick is aimed 15 yards left of the spot you want the ball to end up…not 15 yards left of a point 10 feet away. Then you line up parallel to the aim stick or…parallel left..
If I just made things worse feel free to delete this comment 😉
April 14, 2019
Paul WilsonAlan,
Glad you liked it. Thanks.
I know the glazed look everyone gets when I try to explain it. So I try to keep it simple. If people can just set up then lay a club down they can see it. Once they see where they are aligned they can use the guidelines I provided. This is so important and it can be a little tricky but once people do it (right) they will get into the habit of doing it forever.