Better Alignment

Ball position and alignment - two very important fundamentals in the golf game. However, for many of us these two areas are often mis-understood and mis-applied because we so often are taught to relate them to the position of our feet. What I would like to talk about today is how it is better to relate our alignment to the UPPER BODY instead of the lower half.

Our golf club is connected to us by our hands, so in my opinion is it far better to relate alignment and ball position to our torso and shoulders than our feet. For example, if my feet are aligned correctly but my shoulders are aimed left, I will pull across the ball because my swing will follow the alignment of the shoulders.

In the same manner, our ball could be positioned perfectly in the center of our stance, but if our shoulders are not aligned with our feet, then this position is NOT centered relative to our swing.

So how can I be sure I am correctly aligned? Here are two steps to position your body and the ball correctly for each and every shot.

1. Set up WITHOUT A CLUB as if you were going to hit a shot. (Note: Even though the feet are secondary in the alignment process, it is still good to have them in correct alignment, so set them correctly parallel to your target line.) From here, be sure that your shoulders are aligned towards your target. To check this, you may place a club under both armpits or across your chest to see where it is pointing. It is also a good idea to have a friend help you check this out.

2. Once the shoulders are in correct alignment, extend both arms out and place your palms together, pointing the fingers. Look down your arms and see where they are pointed. The spot at which your fingers are pointed is the CORRECT BALL POSITION, relative to forward or backward in your stance. Ideally the ball will be centered relative to your extended arms (it is also the same as relative to your sternum or the center of your chest) because this would equal the point of maximum extension in the golf swing.

Note one other thing. With your arms extended like we were doing above, change the alignment of your shoulders. Aim them more right and notice how the "correct ball position" moves back in your stance. Aim them left and see how it moves forward.

By paying attention to the alignment of our upper body and the postition of the ball relative to it, we will strike the ball more consistently and hit the ball on a better line. See where this is related to what you have been doing and notice how it helps your consistency.