Accuracy Begins with Alignment
From Mark Blackburn On July 01, 2021
Have you ever been told, after you've hit a poor shot, that the golf ball went right where you were aiming? Alignment – how you orient the club and your body as you stand to the ball – is a key fundamental... of the golf swing. Unfortunately, it's also very easy for alignment to get out of whack. Because you stand to the side of the ball, your perception can get skewed. As you look at your target, head tilted, eyes not directly over the ball, it's easy to feel that you're not lined up right and to start adjusting your stance and aim to what feels comfortable. Don't trust this feeling from the side of the ball!
As Titleist staff member Mark Blackburn demonstrates in this video, the only way to establish an accurate line to your target is from directly behind the golf ball. Once you have this line sorted out, align your club face and body relative to the target line. Use two alignment rods to create Mark's parallel-left "railroad tracks" or, as Mark shows, two club shafts will work just as well. This will allow you to set up with consistent, neutral alignment. From here, a good swing will send the ball flying straight to your target.
As you advance and get comfortable with neutral alignment, you can start to experiment. By aligning a little right of your target (for a right-handed golfer), with the club face closed to your swing path, you'll be able to shape shots that start to the right of your target and curve back to left (a draw). Align a little left with the club face open to your swing path and you'll start hitting effective fades (shots that start left and curve back to the right). Whether you want to work the ball or hit it dead straight, accurate shots always start with proper alignment. So remember, every time you practice, practice alignment. Your'll hit more consistent, accurate shots and you'll see the results in your scores!
As Titleist staff member Mark Blackburn demonstrates in this video, the only way to establish an accurate line to your target is from directly behind the golf ball. Once you have this line sorted out, align your club face and body relative to the target line. Use two alignment rods to create Mark's parallel-left "railroad tracks" or, as Mark shows, two club shafts will work just as well. This will allow you to set up with consistent, neutral alignment. From here, a good swing will send the ball flying straight to your target.
As you advance and get comfortable with neutral alignment, you can start to experiment. By aligning a little right of your target (for a right-handed golfer), with the club face closed to your swing path, you'll be able to shape shots that start to the right of your target and curve back to left (a draw). Align a little left with the club face open to your swing path and you'll start hitting effective fades (shots that start left and curve back to the right). Whether you want to work the ball or hit it dead straight, accurate shots always start with proper alignment. So remember, every time you practice, practice alignment. Your'll hit more consistent, accurate shots and you'll see the results in your scores!
Have you ever been told, after you've hit a poor shot, that the golf ball went right
...
where you were aiming? Alignment – how you orient the club and your body as you stand to the ball – is a key fundamental of the golf swing. Unfortunately, it's also very easy for alignment to get out of whack. Because you stand to the side of the ball, your perception can get skewed. As you look at your target, head tilted, eyes not directly over the ball, it's easy to feel that you're not lined up right and to start adjusting your stance and aim to what feels comfortable. Don't trust this feeling from the side of the ball!
As Titleist staff member Mark Blackburn demonstrates in this video, the only way to establish an accurate line to your target is from directly behind the golf ball. Once you have this line sorted out, align your club face and body relative to the target line. Use two alignment rods to create Mark's parallel-left "railroad tracks" or, as Mark shows, two club shafts will work just as well. This will allow you to set up with consistent, neutral alignment. From here, a good swing will send the ball flying straight to your target.
As you advance and get comfortable with neutral alignment, you can start to experiment. By aligning a little right of your target (for a right-handed golfer), with the club face closed to your swing path, you'll be able to shape shots that start to the right of your target and curve back to left (a draw). Align a little left with the club face open to your swing path and you'll start hitting effective fades (shots that start left and curve back to the right). Whether you want to work the ball or hit it dead straight, accurate shots always start with proper alignment. So remember, every time you practice, practice alignment. Your'll hit more consistent, accurate shots and you'll see the results in your scores!
As Titleist staff member Mark Blackburn demonstrates in this video, the only way to establish an accurate line to your target is from directly behind the golf ball. Once you have this line sorted out, align your club face and body relative to the target line. Use two alignment rods to create Mark's parallel-left "railroad tracks" or, as Mark shows, two club shafts will work just as well. This will allow you to set up with consistent, neutral alignment. From here, a good swing will send the ball flying straight to your target.
As you advance and get comfortable with neutral alignment, you can start to experiment. By aligning a little right of your target (for a right-handed golfer), with the club face closed to your swing path, you'll be able to shape shots that start to the right of your target and curve back to left (a draw). Align a little left with the club face open to your swing path and you'll start hitting effective fades (shots that start left and curve back to the right). Whether you want to work the ball or hit it dead straight, accurate shots always start with proper alignment. So remember, every time you practice, practice alignment. Your'll hit more consistent, accurate shots and you'll see the results in your scores!
414
Videos
Filter:
- Alex Buckner
- Brad Faxon
- Dan Whittaker
- Dr. Mo Pickens
- Matt Leach
- Matthew Johns
- Sophie Walker
- Cameron McCormick
- James Sieckmann
- Mark Blackburn
- Michael Breed
- Trillium Rose
- Jonathan Yarwood
- Dave Phillips
- Brandon Stooksbury
- Justin Parsons
- Layne Savoie
- Dr. Rob Neal
- Dr. Greg Rose
- Skip Guss
- Jason Baile
- John Kostis
- Jennifer Hudson
- Ryan Hager
- Corey Lundberg
- Tom Patri
- Driver
- Fairway
- Hybrid
- Utility Iron
- Iron
- Wedge
- Putter
- Fundamentals
- Shot Shaping
- Anti-hook
- Anti-slice
- Alignment
- Tight Lie
- Long Rough
- Bunker Play
- Consistency
- Distance Control
- Trajectory
Why Your Pre-Shot Routine Must be Adaptable
From Justin Parsons On December 02, 2024
In this video, Titleist staff member Justin Parsons discusses the importance of...
Course Management vs. Strategy in Golf
From Justin Parsons On November 18, 2024
In this video, Titleist staff member Justin Parsons discusses the difference...
How to Select the Right Club for Your Tee Shots
From Justin Parsons On November 14, 2024
In this video, Titleist staff member Justin Parsons shares some of his keys to...
Dial In Your Chipping and Short Game Distance Control
From Michael Breed On October 09, 2024
Titleist staff members Michael Breed and Greg Ducharme are here to help you take...
Fine Tune Your Short Game Strategy
From Michael Breed On October 09, 2024
In this video, Titleist staff member Michael Breed shares some of his keys to...
Pressure and Your Pre-Shot Routine
From Justin Parsons On October 09, 2024
In golf, to perform under pressure you need to think clearly and in this video,...
No results
Titleist Instruction Newsletter
Titleist Tips: Make the Most of Your Golf Practice Time
One of the coolest things about the game of golf is the fact that we play the same game as the pros. Most of us will never take batting practice in...
Morgan Hoffmann: #ProvingIt
On Dec. 4, 2017, Morgan Hoffmann penned an article for The Players' Tribune, an online media platform that provides first-person content written by...
Iron Selector Tool
This iron selection tool starts the fitting process by suggesting a recommended and alternative iron set. The next step is to experience a...
