Are You Actually Aiming Where You Think You Are?
Aiming in golf isn't as straightforward as it seems. Because we stand to the side of the ball, it's surprisingly difficult to line up correctly every time. You might feel like you're aiming straight at your target, only to have a playing partner tell you you're pointing way right or left. So how can you tell if your alignment is accurate?
The Two-Club Alignment Check
Here's a simple technique you can use during a practice round to discover exactly where you're aiming. Next time you're playing a casual nine holes, try this method on every shot for at least the first few holes until you understand your alignment tendencies.
Here's how it works:
- Go through your normal pre-shot routine and set up to the ball
- When you feel comfortable with your stance, place a club across your toes, making sure it touches both feet
- Take a second club and lay it on the ground parallel to your feet, running through where the ball sits
- Stand behind the ball (not behind the club at your feet)
- Look down the line of the club next to the ball to see where you're actually aiming
The key is standing behind the ball, not the club at your feet. Many golfers make this mistake, but it's the line parallel to your feet that runs through the ball that reveals your true aim.
What Your Alignment Reveals
When you check your alignment this way, you might be surprised. If you consistently find yourself aiming way right or left, it might not actually be an aiming problem—it could be your swing.
Here's why: If you have a swing fault that causes you to hit the ball left, your body will unconsciously start aiming right to compensate. This is when your mates will say you're aiming way off, and you'll genuinely believe you weren't. The real issue isn't your alignment—it's your swing trying to self-correct.
The Bottom Line
There's no point in practising perfect alignment if you have a swing issue causing the ball to go offline. If you tend to hit left, you'll actually want to aim right to compensate. Get some lessons, identify what's causing you to miss your target, and sort out your swing first.
How to Line Up Correctly (Once Your Swing is Sorted)
Once you've addressed any swing faults, here's your routine for proper alignment:
- Stand behind your ball
- Pick a spot on the grass between the ball and target that's directly in line—a leaf edge, a divot, anything distinct
- Set your clubface to aim at that intermediate target
- Align your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to that imaginary line
To verify, use the two-club check method described above.
Practise Makes Permanent
Try this alignment check with your driver off the tee, with wedges around the green, and everything in between. Spend nine holes doing this on every shot, and you'll quickly discover your aiming tendencies and know exactly what adjustments you need to make.
Your alignment might not be perfect immediately, but you'll develop awareness of where you naturally aim—and that's the first step to fixing it.
