Shot Alignment

[fixyurdivot]

What is your method for target alignment?  Are you more of a "feels right" set-up, or one who uses a spot between you and the target, or practice swing (where's my belt buckle headed).... or??? 

I'm kind of a feel player and usually get my alignment correct.  This past Monday my alignment was off most of the entire round.  One of my first instructors, when I was growing up, had me use my belly button/belt buckle direction on practice swings to check alignment. Over the years, I sort of moved away from any specific pre-shot routine.  Sometimes I take a practice swing, sometimes not.  I've started trying the "pick a spot on the ground" method but it hasn't proved that reliable.  I dunno, some days good alignment feels unconscious - don't even think much about it and they go where I want.  But other days (like Monday), I feel like I'm fighting it.  I've used an alignment club/stick on the range and my stance is pretty darn square, with shots going down that line.  I'm tempted to place a club down on the ground next round when I'm struggling with alignment.

 

[PMookie]

I do similarly to Justin Rose: hold my club out in front of me to find a spot on the ground on the line I want my shot to go, then I set-up parallel to that spot. My set-up is usually spot-on in relation to the spot I picked.


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[PlaidJacket]

I keep things simple and quick. Generally it's my pre shot routine. I stand behind the ball in alignment with the intended shot take one or two swings/brushes visualizing the shot - address the ball, visualize/glance at my intended shot again (distance/target) and let it go. All this including measuring distance & selecting a club in about 35-40 seconds. If one is prepared and thinking about the game between shots a round can move along at a good pace. This also assumes you're not faced with a penalty - recovery or trouble shot of some kind. But still.... 

[pulledabill]

I hold up a club as well but not every time.  The tougher the alignment the more of a chance that I will hold the club up.  I will  visualize the shot, and then find a spot  close to my setup(divot, leaf, broken tee, or whatever), and line up to that. 

[cnosil]

Pick a spot and use that as a baseline to take my stance.  

[russtopherb]

I always stand behind the ball and look at my target, then find a spot on my line just in front of my ball to set my face up in relation to.

[Mr. 82]

Stand behind the ball, and pick a target line, which is either the flagstick, or something behind it for my intended target.  Off of the tee, same thing, except a spot where I aim down the fairway.

Once I have my target I line up my club behind the ball, and then take a full practice swing that simulates what the actual stroke will be like.  Then I fire away.  99% of the time the ball heads in the direction I intended it to.  But every so often it doesn't go as planned, due to something other then a bad swing.  When that happens I stand behind my divot and see where I actually hit the line of the divot on.  If my divot is off I adjust on the next shot or hole and I can usually self correct the next time I hit the ball.

Honestly, after 45 years of playing golf this is one part of the game I honestly don't even think about anymore.  It's something akin to flat out muscle memory.  And I doubt I could change my pre shot routine if I wanted to.

[fixyurdivot]

Today I tried using the spot in front of the ball about 10 feet out.  That seemed to work pretty well - either that or I was just having a "good alignment day" .  It dosen't sound like anyone uses the practice swing belt buckle/belly button method...hey we're talking 1960's coaching sessions .

[bluesmandan76]

I practice with a mat that is aligned to my target, so that when I play on the course correct alignment feels right. Always practice with an alignment stick or something, and always hit to a target. If you don’t, then bad alignment WILL sneak up on you!


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[revkev]

Alignment is a double edged sword, maybe triple edged because there are feet and shoulders to get right and then also there is starting line and finishing line if you are curving your shot.

I like the behind the ball method - for whatever reason I have success picking a finishing target in the distance with my tee shots and a spot about 5 feet ahead of the ball on approach shots.

It could be that driver curves more.

I’m going with that thought at least


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[fixyurdivot]

17 minutes ago, revkev said:

Alignment is a double edged sword, maybe triple edged because there are feet and shoulders to get right and then also there is starting line and finishing line if you are curving your shot.

I like the behind the ball method - for whatever reason I have success picking a finishing target in the distance with my tee shots and a spot about 5 feet ahead of the ball on approach shots.

It could be that driver curves more.

I’m going with that thought at least


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It' really odd for me since getting the new arrows (driver and irons).  My historically soft fade ball flight is not as prominent/consistent - with significantly more straight and even slight draws.  This may be responsible for the alignment challenges.  On Monday, most everything was left early and I just started shifting my stance right to compensate.  But on a couple of shots doing this, I pulled them back left; likely because the "feel" part of me said I was off target .  I need to spend some time on the range with an alignment stick.