Alignment Sticks, 10 Drills: Alex Elliott
Do your alignment sticks just sit at the bottom of your bag? PGA professional Alex Elliott shares ten ways to use them—from swing plane to speed control for putts—for all club golfers in Golf Monthly.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
For Alex Elliott, an alignment stick is useful for far more than just aiming. Planted at a 45° angle in a basket, it gives you a swing plane: you trace it on the way back, swing under it on the way down, and get back to a neutral path. To aim, he lays down two parallel sticks: first the ball-to-target line (with the ball’s logo pointing along that line), then the line of your feet. Your shoulders will then seem to aim slightly left, and many golfers discover they were actually aiming right. The “swing checker” even works at home: held against the grip along your left side, the stick encourages a one-piece takeaway, then points just to the right of the target at the start of the downswing, for an in-to-out path.
For long irons, the “frame it” drill places one stick at the ball position and another after the ball, at the lowest point: ball first, then turf. For chipping, the stick held against the grip must never touch the left side, which eliminates last-second acceleration; on a tight lie, a stick placed one clubhead behind the ball forces a descending blow. In a bunker, two sticks pushed into the sand mark the ball and the spot where the club should enter the sand. On the green, one stick on the start line checks that the face is square at 90°, and another placed right behind the hole acts as a backstop to dial in green speed before you go out to play.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Push a stick into a basket at 45° and trace it on your backswing.
- Lay down the ball-to-target line, then the foot line, parallel to it.
- Hold a stick against the grip, along your left side, for your practice swings.
- On the irons, mark the ball's position and the low point just past the ball.
- When chipping, keep the stick away from your left side through the stroke.
- When putting, place a stick behind the hole and stop the ball before it reaches it.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Aiming with your shoulders instead of your feet.
- Accelerating sharply at the bottom of the chip.
- Hitting the ground before the ball with your long irons.
- Going out to play without having a feel for the speed of the greens.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Swing plane along a stick planted at a 45° angle
- Two sticks on the ground every session, then check your feet
- Putts to the hole with a stick as a backstop behind it
Your Questions
How do you aim using two alignment sticks?
First, lay one stick on the ball-to-target line, then a second one parallel to it for your feet. According to Alex Elliott, your shoulders will then appear to aim slightly left.
Can you use an alignment stick at home?
Yes: held against the grip along your left side, it guides the takeaway and the downswing path—no ball needed.
How does an alignment stick help your chipping?
Held against the grip, it must not touch your left side: this stops the late acceleration at the bottom of the stroke and gives you better distance control.
What drill should you do before a round?
A stick placed just behind the hole: using a single ball, practice putting uphill, downhill, and on a slope, aiming to stop the ball between the hole and the stick.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Alex Elliott). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.