On The Green

Visualizing your target and having a plan is critical to success but so is properly aligning yourself to the target. A proper alignment means that you are parallel to your target line. Imagine railroad tracks (two rails running side by side) mile after mile. They are parallel to each other. When you address the ball place your club behind the ball with the center of club (sweet spot) lined up with the center of ball aimed at your specific target. The imaginary line that runs from the club through your ball to the target is one "rail of the track," for right handed golfers the right sided rail. The rail on the left is created by the imaginary line that runs through your shoulders to an area left of the specific target and parallel to the target line. This would be the second "rail of the track."

Alignment is a difficult fundamental for many people. If you are not aligned properly your ball position will be affected. I find that people with an alignment problem, for which there are millions, even line up their putter incorrectly. Aiming is linked to how your eyes see the intended target and the brain's interpretation of it. Unfortunately, if you are one of the millions with the problem, you may or may not know it. The only way to handle the problem is to first be aware that the problem exists and secondly create a routine that you know aligns you correctly (as observed by your instructor or friend) even though through your own eyes it still looks wrong.

When you align yourself incorrectly for example to the right of your target, the result is a compensation move that for a right handed person creates a motion that pulls across your body that either makes the ball go left or more often cuts the ball and creates a weak slicing ball flight to the right. This is an extremely common error that challenges golfers of all skill levels. To correct this motion, first you must align yourself correctly, parallel to the target line.

This is why it is important to have a good pre-shot routine. I recommend that you practice doing the following until you feel more and more confident that you are aiming correctly. Stand behind your ball directly facing the direction you want the ball to go in. Pick the specific spot you want to aim at, often an intermediary spot short of your target but in line with it, which could be within three feet of the ball. This closer target could help you to aim better.

Once you believe you have aimed correctly and are ready to hit the ball, stop and lay the club down as described above in front of your toe line. Step back and check to see if you are aligned parallel to the target. If not notice what your error is (right or left) and start the drill all over again. Keep assessing how perfect it looks from the set up, but from behind with the club on the ground how far off you might be. The key is to find the correct position yourself even though it will never look correct to you. Linking that "awful" look to what your know is correct, is the learning process needed to properly align yourself each time. Be patient; take your time working through it. It will help get better results.

And, if your playing partners are always telling you that you are aimed incorrectly, believe them and contact your nearest LPGA or PGA instructor for assistance.

Joyce Wilcox is a teaching professional for Topsail Greens Golf Club and an LPGA Class A Member.