Aim, Then Align
By Dr. T. J. Tomasi, Keiser University College of Golf Senior Faculty and Director of Research
I have said many times that whatever else golf is, it’s a game of geometry – lines and angles on a four-dimensional playing field that relate the golfer, the ball, and the target. The mistake I often see is a faulty setup that condemns the player to a hit-hunt-rescue experience that is not a good way to shoot low scores – it’s like beginning your trip by heading in the wrong direction. Thus, it is vital that you integrate the correct geometry into your golf swing by making sure you do two things on every shot – 1) aim your clubface correctly and 2) align your body to it – and always in that order – aim, then align.
Aiming
Since your clubface makes contact with the ball, where it’s pointing at impact determines the direction in which the golf ball will initially travel. It helps aim to use the lines on the toe and heel formed by the grooves on your clubface. It may sound simplistic, but you must take great care to aim your clubface at the target at the address because that’s where you want it looking at impact. Always set the clubface behind the ball before the rest of your setup, then build your stance around your clubface so if you extended a line from the leading edge (the bottom part of the clubface) to your toe line, the two lines would be perpendicular.
Before I align my body, I aim for the clubface.
Aligning
Since your shoulders determine the direction your arms swing, they must be aligned correctly to ensure that your club face looks at the target at impact. Your shoulders should be parallel to the target line because biomechanically, your arms swing in the direction that your shoulders point. When you’re aimed to the right, if you make a good swing, your swing path is in-to-out, and the reverse is true when you’re open.
To ensure your aim and alignment are correct, lay down two clubs: one along your heel line parallel to the target line and one behind the ball on the target line. When your body is parallel with the target line, it’s said to be square to the target. When your clubface points at the target, it is also square. Begin from a perfectly square stance and then make adjustments based on your flexibility, body shape, and the ball flight you want.
Now my body is parallel with the target line, and my clubface aims down the same target line.
