What is alignment in golf?
Alignment refers to the way a player positions his club and body before taking a shot. It is adjusted at address and largely determines the ball's initial direction. A perfect swing, if misaligned, will send the ball off course.
We're talking about target line (or line of sight) for the imaginary line running from the ball to the target.
What are the components of alignment?
- The Clubface: It must be perpendicular to the line of play—that is, it must be aimed at the target. This is the most important factor, because it is primarily this that determines the direction in which the ball will travel.
- The Feet: The line that runs through the tips of the shoes is parallel to the line of play.
- The Hips and Shoulders: They point in the same direction as the feet. The shoulders are the part of the body that is most often misaligned, and one of the factors that most influences the club's path.
- The forearms and the eyes: Although less visible, they matter too; open shoulders and forearms often result in an outward-to-inward movement.
Why doesn't the body aim directly at the target?
This is the concept that surprises beginners the most. The ball and the body are not on the same line: the player stands to the side of the ball. If the clubface is aimed at the flag, the body must be aligned parallel at this line, which is slightly to the left of the flag for a right-handed player (to the right for a left-handed player). The common analogy is that of a railroad track: the ball and the target are on the outer rail, and your feet are on the inner rail.
A player who aligns their feet directly with the flag is actually facing to the right of the target.
Open, closed, or square alignment: What do these terms mean?
| Alignment | For a right-handed person | Common side effect |
|---|---|---|
| Square (neutral) | Body parallel to the line of play | Reference Trajectory |
| Open | Body facing to the left of the line of play | Promotes an outside-in swing path and a ball that curves to the right (fade, slice) |
| Closed | Body facing to the right of the line of play | Promotes an inside-out swing and a ball that curves to the left (draw, hook) |
Opening or closing your stance isn't always a mistake: you do it on purpose to create a certain effect, or around the green, where a slightly open stance is common when chipping and for bunker shots.
How can you position yourself correctly on the course?
- Stand behind the ball, in line with the line of play, and choose your target.
- Find a intermediate target: a leaf, a mark in the grass, one or two meters in front of the ball, on the line of play.
- First, position the clubface perpendicular to this intermediate target.
- Next, position your feet, then your hips and shoulders, parallel to the line between the ball and that marker.
Aiming at a nearby target is much more accurate than aiming at a flag 165 yards away.
How can you work on your alignment during practice?
- Place two on the floor alignment sticks or two clubs: one on the line of play, the other parallel to it, along the feet.
- Have someone film you from behind, in line with the target, to check your shoulder alignment.
- Once you're settled in, rest a club against your thighs or shoulders to see where it's actually pointing.
What do the rules say?
On the course, these aids are prohibited during the stroke. Rule 10.2b prohibits placing an object (club, stick) on the ground to help aim or establish a stance, and the cadet may not stand behind the player, in line with the line of play, at the moment of the stroke. Therefore, visually selecting an intermediate target remains the preferred method for this part of the game.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Alignment
Should you line up your feet with the flag?
No. The clubface is aimed at the flag, but the feet, hips, and shoulders are parallel to the line of play—so slightly to the left of the target for a right-hander. Aligning your feet with the flag orients your body to the right.
What is an open stance?
For a right-handed golfer, this is a stance with the body turned to the left of the line of play. It promotes a ball that curves to the right and is intentionally used around the green or to hit a fade.
Can you place a club on the ground to partially align yourself?
Not during the shot: Rule 10.2b prohibits placing an object to help you aim or set up your stance. You may use it freely on the driving range.
How can I aim more accurately?
Choose an intermediate target—a mark in the grass one or two meters in front of the ball along the line of play—and first align the clubface with that mark before positioning your body.