How to use alignment sticks?
The most common way to use these alignment sticks is by simply laying them on the ground to see your body alignment at address and impact. Simply lay them on the ground in a straight line towards your target to align your body along that line. After using the sticks for a while you can then remove them from your line and test whether you naturally ...
What are alignment sticks used for?
Golf alignment sticks are one of the most useful things that you can use when you are trying to improve your game. As for how to use the sticks there are many different ways you can do it because there are many different drills that incorporate these tools.
Why are alignment sticks important?
One of the most important things in golf is having a smooth one-dimensional putting stroke, so alignment sticks can help keep everything on line. Especially with how often professionals emphasize starting a putt on line, alignment sticks can be extremely useful in getting this job done.
How to use alignment rods?
As with ball position, you can do this with one stick but two or three is better. Start out by setting a stick along your toe line aimed just left of your target. Then take a second stick, place it a few inches behind the ball or in front of the ball, and aim it along your desired swing path.
How to get feedback on your swing?
All that said, it’s a great way to get immediate feedback on where your swing is. Start by putting one alignment stick down on your toe line. Next, set up to a ball so you know where your club will be.
How to check your ball position?
To check your ball position, you need one alignment stick but two is preferable. With one stick, place the rod between your feet pointed at the ball. If you have two sticks, place one along your toe line, aimed just left of your target. Place the second stick perpendicular to the first, aimed at the ball. The reason that I strongly prefer using two ...
Where does Matt live?
He's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
Can you nudge alignment sticks?
It’s very easy to nudge your alignment sticks out of position, especially if they’re close to your toes or near the ball. To save yourself the hassle of resetting them, use a couple tees to either mark the location of the alignment sticks or lock them into place.
1. For A Bigger Turn
On most practice days, I lay one on the ground, straight out from the instep of my front foot. The alignment stick reminds me to turn behind it and get my weight over to my trail foot on the backswing, then shift my weight to just in front of the alignment stick on the way through.
2. For Better Ball Position
But weight shift isn’t the only thing I use an alignment stick for. The thing is great for getting me into a solid setup position. Setting the stick inside my left foot is a foolproof way to ensure the exact same ball position for my driver every time.
3. For Better Balance
The stick helps with balance at address, too. If my stance gets too narrow, I can feel my upper body drift in front of the rod; if it’s too wide, I’ll quickly sense that my head is too far behind the stick. A final checkpoint: When my ball position and stance width are in good, balanced spots, my left ear lines up with the stick on the ground.
4. For A Squarer Clubface
If nothing else, laying a stick on the ground like I do helps give you a visual representation of where the clubface is at address—and where it should be at impact. Square-to-square, just like mine. Soon, you’ll be the stick.
