Good alignment gives every shot a clearer starting point. It means setting the clubface toward the intended start line and positioning your body in relation to that line. Alignment alone does not guarantee a straight shot: face angle, swing path and contact also influence ball flight.
1. Choose a target
Stand behind the ball and decide where you want the ball to start, not simply where you hope it will finish. On a full shot, the target may be a wide part of the fairway rather than the flag. Choose a small intermediate point near the ball—a leaf or a mark in the grass—to make the line easier to see.
2. Aim the clubface
Set the clubface toward the intended start line before placing your feet. The clubface strongly influences the ball’s initial direction, so it is helpful to establish this first.
3. Align your body
Position your feet, hips and shoulders generally parallel to the target line. For a right-handed player, the feet line often appears to point slightly left of the target; for a left-handed player, the reverse applies. Avoid twisting your body unnaturally to face the target directly.
4. Practise with alignment aids
At a practice area, an alignment stick or club placed parallel to the target line can help you check your feet and shoulders. Follow the facility’s rules and remove the aid before hitting if needed. Rehearse the routine several times without a ball, then hit a few shots toward the same target and observe the ball’s starting direction.
Common mistakes
Aiming the feet directly at the target instead of parallel to the line, setting the body before the clubface, and changing the target at the last second can all create confusion. If the ball repeatedly starts left or right, check alignment before making major swing changes. A slice or hook may also involve the relationship between face angle and swing path.
Frequently asked questions
Should my feet point directly at the target?
Usually, the feet and body are set parallel to the target line, while the clubface is aimed toward the intended start line.
Can alignment cause a slice?
Poor alignment can contribute to a miss, but a slice also depends on the clubface and swing path at impact.
Next lesson: put setup and aim together in how to swing a golf club.
