MY GOLF BLUEPRINT

Golf alignment: face first, feet second

A golfer swinging a driver from the tee. — Photo: Markus Spiske / Pexels

Aim the clubface toward your chosen start line, then build the stance around it. Feet can look correctly aligned while the clubface points elsewhere.

Work through it

Stand behind the ball and pick a clear target.
Choose a small intermediate mark on that target line.
Set the face toward the mark before placing your feet.
Use a ground alignment stick outside the swing area during practice to check the body line.

The clubface points down the chosen start line; the body is arranged alongside it.

A practical example

A player may aim left to compensate for a slice. A straighter shot after a change can still finish left if the old aim remains.

Practice task

Hit five short shots after a full setup reset. Record where the ball starts relative to the intermediate mark. Remove the stick and repeat to test whether your routine transfers.

Common mistakes

Do not lay a club where you might strike it. Do not line the body directly at the target while the clubface aims parallel elsewhere. Practice aids on the ground are not automatically allowed during a competition round.

Choose a comfortable movement and change one variable at a time. Stop if a movement causes pain; a qualified coach can adapt the task to your mobility and experience.