Golf Shot Set-up

Today, we have a couple of tips regarding your golf shot set-up. To make sure of these, you will need access to some golf alignment sticks, which can be ordered easily online or from your club shop.

Ball and Body Alignment

In order to complete this drill, you will need to have access to two alignment sticks.

Firstly, your body should be positioned in a way that it is parallel to the target you are aiming to hit the ball towards. The two sticks you are using, should be placed on the ground, also parallel to the target. The first should be placed 3 inches in-front of your feet and the other 2 foot further away from the first stick. In effect, you will create a railway track with the two sticks.

Place your ball between the two sticks but close to the stick furthest away from your body and then address the ball. Once in to your stance, this will allow you to get a feel of what it is like to address the ball with the correct alignment. Be prepared that it may feel strange at first and if it does, take it as a sign your alignment has been off in the past and now you are correcting it.

This drill can be completed at the driving range, if you would like to practice hitting balls with it. However, it can also be set-up at the home or office and will still allow you to get a feel of standing over the ball with the correct alignment, without actually striking the ball.

Golf Ball Placement

One aspect of golf many people do not realise early on, is that golf ball position needs to be different, depending on the club you are using. The tips below will help you when positioning the ball for various clubs and shots. It’s possible to practice each set-up at the driving range and also get a feel for each at home. Each tip is for the right-handed golfer, with the opposite being true for the left-handed golfer.

When using the driver, ideally your ball needs to be placed in-line with the inside of the left heel of your shoe.

When using fairway woods and long irons, your ball should be positioned two balls forward of centre and two balls to the left of centre.

When using middle irons, your ball should be very slightly forward of centre, so a touch closer to your left foot than your right foot.

When using short irons, your ball should be placed in the centre of your stance.

As with the ball and body alignment, using alignment sticks can help here. Place the sticks in a T- shape position, with one stick parallel to the target. Place the second stick the correct distance back from the front for the club you are practicing with, using the guide above.

Again, the stance can initially feel strange but with practice, it will become familiar.

Posture

You really begin to see the value of purchasing alignment sticks now, as we move on to the final part of the golf shot set-up.

Place the first stick in the same position as you did for the ball and body alignment drill, parallel to the target and about 2 inches away from the end of your feet. Using the pointed end of the second stick, insert in to the ground so the top is pointing at an angle, towards your belt-buckle.

When inserting the stick, place it roughly 6 inches to the outside of the ball. Exactly where this is, will depend on which club you are using, as discussed in the golf ball placement drill.

Get in to your stance, address the ball and place your hands and club parallel to the stick which you inserted in to the ground. By completing this drill, you will ensure your posture and your grip position are correct.