Getting alignment right

[The Real Deal]

Recently I've been struggling with my alignment and really believe it has a large bearing on the overall result of the shot. I was always taught to pick an intermediate target and set up to that. I use this method but am still battling to get it right. My question is- does anyone have a method or trick for getting the alignment right? Is there a way during practice to perfect this? Is it more important to focus on shoulders or feet or are they equally important? If I am to err is it better to be slightly open or closed or will that depend on my particular swing? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[MacDutch]

As a high capper, don't make it too difficult. Don't think about hundred things at te same time!

You're trick to line up is ok. If you want to be sure during a practise round. Do what you do, and then place your club in the line you took, take a step back and see if it was ok.

hmmm you are a 10?

[The Real Deal]

Yes I am off 10. I'm not talking about making massive changes, but just wanted to know if there is another way to work on the problem. One thing I notice when watching pros on TV is that their alignment is almost always spot on so I just want to see if I can do that too.

[MacDutch]

Originally Posted by MacDutch

You're trick to line up is ok. If you want to be sure during a practise round. Do what you do, and then place your club in the line you took, take a step back and see if it was ok.

This is also legit during an official round as long as you take away the alignment-club before you hit the ball.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by The Real Deal

Yes I am off 10. I'm not talking about making massive changes, but just wanted to know if there is another way to work on the problem. One thing I notice when watching pros on TV is that their alignment is almost always spot on so I just want to see if I can do that too.

Well, for a driver, there are white heads with black PVD faces that help

True Aim decals also  help.

For irons - I get behind the ball, draw a line with the shaft to my target - and you can actually see the outline in your eyes for a moment - it's some type of jedi mind trick - and you find your spot 6 inches in front of the ball and come around and line up to that spot for feet, and then go from there.

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

For irons - I get behind the ball, draw a line with the shaft to my target - and you can actually see the outline in your eyes for a moment - it's some type of jedi mind trick - and you find your spot 6 inches in front of the ball and come around and line up to that spot for feet, and then go from there.

For irons, behind the ball I get...a line I see with my shaft to target...hmmm. Mind trick it is for the most powerful Jedi.

Great tip...intermediate target 6 inches that is on target line.

[Paradox]

I'll also add that some people subconsciously align their bodies to point at their target when it should be parallel to the target line.

I always do the intermediate target thing and set my clubface to it, then my body to the clubface.

[Mr. Desmond]

Yes to above

[boogielicious]

I practice with alignment sticks and use the Nicklaus method.  I pick a spot just a few feet from my ball that lines up on the target line.  Then I make sure my feet are parallel to that line.  I step up to the ball with my feet together and line the club face to the spot.  Then I step my right foot back parallel.