Golf Tip

GOLF TIP: The Importance of Proper Alignment

Many players focus on their pre-shot routine but overlook the importance of proper alignment. Proper alignment allows for consistent swings and accurate shots. Learning proper alignment will take some practice, but once you get it, you’ll realize how beneficial it is to your overall game. If there’s one thing that can make or break your swing (aside from the fundamentals), it’s your alignment. If you enjoy reading tips like these, learn how to improve your game by checking out our Nike Junior Golf Camps!

How can proper alignment transfer to better shots? To put into perspective, alignment creates the foundation for your swing. With proper alignment, golfers hit consistent and accurate shots with the use of a proper swing path. When you are incorrectly aligned, even by just a degree, you can miss your target by 10-15 yards or more. That is why it’s so important to get in a good habit of being correctly lined up.

Alignment is nothing to overthink. To start off, stand directly behind the ball to understand where your target is. After you understand what you are aiming for, create an imaginary line by pointing your club towards your intended target and tracing it back to your ball. Use this imaginary line as a guide for your swing path.

Next, you need to align your body. The four main body parts essential to proper alignment are your shoulders, hips, feet, and head. It is important to position these body parts square so that they are parallel to the target line and your ball. Think of this alignment like a railroad track with the right rail being your ball and target line, and the left rail being the alignment of your body/feet. This will help with your positioning so that you are parallel to your target line. Quick tip: you can place your shaft of the golf club on the ground where your body/feet are aligned and stand behind the ball to ensure you are correctly lined up.

Lastly, create an intermediate target (or secondary target) 6 – 12 inches in front of your ball to help with aim. The intermediate target helps with focusing on a point that is much shorter than your original target. This will help you keep your clubface square all the way through impact and allow you to fully hit through the ball. Now that you are properly aligned, make sure to practice these steps every time you swing.

Additionally, you can use these tips below to ensure that you are integrating proper alignment into your daily play.

• When at the driving range, place alignment sticks (or clubs) on the ground to ensure your feet, hips, and shoulders are correctly aligned.
• Ask someone to stand behind you to check your hips and shoulders. Ask them if you are properly aligned with your target as well.
• Stand behind your ball before hitting and choose a marker that is parallel to your target.

About Nike Junior Golf Camps

Nike Junior Golf Camps is a division of US Sports Camps, Inc (USSC). Headquartered in San Rafael, California, USSC is America’s largest sports camp network and the licensed operator of Nike Sports Camps. The company has offered summer camps in the U.S. since 1975 with the same mission that defines it today: to shape a lifelong enjoyment of athletics through high-quality sports education and skill enhancement. Nike Junior Golf Camps offers junior overnight and day camps, as well as advanced player camps at over 130 locations nationwide. Since 1994, more than 200,000 junior golfers have participated in the camps.