It’s important to practice with alignment sticks so that when you go to play, you will be able to recognize and feel if you’re out of position. A lot of players don’t like to practice this way because they feel that it’s a waste of time because “you don’t put sticks down when you play on the course”. It’s definitely not a waste. You always need to check your setup and alignment. If it doesn’t start right… It won’t end right.
Correct aim and alignment is so important for playing good golf. When we play a lot, even the best players can start aiming incorrectly and hitting in different directions trying to compensate for poor alignment.
Practicing with alignment sticks or golf clubs helps our body and our eyes stay in tune with the target. That will translate to the golf course. Especially if you are working on another area of your swing, alignment sticks are set up on the ground so you don’t have to worry about that anymore.
Start by lining up one stick to the target about 2 to 3 feet in front of your golf ball. This is where your club face will aim.
Next, make sure your second stick is parallel to first stick. It can be 2 feet left of the target line. This is for your foot position.
It’s also a good idea to practice your pre-shot routine and walk into the stick setup. This will make sure that when you on on the golf course you are more likely to spot if your setup is off.
Remember, if it doesn’t start right… It won’t end right. 🙂
Lucy
Lucy Davies played professionally on the Ladies European Tour and the Canadian Women’s Tour after graduating from Cal State Northridge with a Major in Broadcast Journalism.
Lucy is the Director of Instruction at the prestigious Sherwood Country Club and a TPI Level 3 Certified LPGA Teaching Professional. She is also part of the LPGA Teacher Education Program.
Follow Lucy online on LucyDaviesGolf.com and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.