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Generally pro golfers maintain they rarely see a right-handed player line up a golf shot too far left, although most set up too far to the right. It is simple to determine the target you should be hitting a shot when you stand behind it, but then something takes place when you step up to the golf ball. And between the two you always step up and take a practice swing, giving you longer to lose the alignment. Too frequently we perhaps imagine it just "seems right", then we set up and swing the club. Improper alignment will seriously influence your game, and not in a good way. It not just means a properly-struck shot winds up poorly, but if you already know in the back of your mind that your alignment is actually off, you will try to compensate during the golf swing to pull the ball back where it should go. Now the golf swing becomes a complete mess, and you can't figure out the reasons. The first thing you must do to line up consistently is to understand just how important it can be for a successful shot. After that it's essential to develop a routine that assures you will get aligned properly, and be able to follow it with each golf shot without fail. You should develop those habits on the practice range. Here would be routine which I have copied from a few pro golfers, and if I don't get careless it really does work. At the outset, after teeing the ball up, line the golf ball up with your target. Then pick out an intermediate target, which is a spot in the ground several feet in front of your golf ball in line with your target. That spot is now your new objective. Most people then go to the ball then take a practice golf swing, but I'm not sure why. If you still require a pre-shot swing, particularly subsequent to playing a few holes and maybe spending a while on the driving range before your round, take them before you begin the setup routine. Your focus at this time must be all about getting properly aligned. When you approach your ball, the first thing to accomplish is square your club on the ball to the target line. Many players set their feet with the target, which explains why they align themselves too far right. If you think about it, if your feet become aligned to your target, for the club face to also be aligned on the target it would have to become closed. This is one of the most common faults of the swing. Make sure to align the club face at the target, but never the feet. Once your golf club is set, place your feet aligned left of the target, your heels shoulder-width apart, and you're ready to swing. Do everything on a constant basis and you will keep your ball in play every time. To properly set-up prior to the shot is an absolute must to drive the ball consistently. It is not only necessary for the long shot, but for all of your golf shots, including pitching the ball. Jim O'Connell is a writer and avid golfer now living in Chicago.
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correct alignment, consistent golf shots, proper set-up,
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