When a student comes to me for the first time, there are a variety of
probing questions I like to ask as it kind of provides a road map of
where the lesson may be going. One of the most important questions that I
feel all instructors need to know before starting a lesson with a new
student is "what's your goal." Inevitably the answer I get to this question 90% of the time is "consistency."
Certainly a goal that all golfers need if one is to achieve any level
of sustainable success. However, the most important building block in
reaching that goal is a building block that a majority of golfers ignore
or at the very least, don't consider it a skill that needs regular
practice. Unfortunately for so many that signals the beginning of the
end.
In a quest to improve, golfers flock to all forms of media in search
of the eternal answer on how to improve. In my opinion every article,
video and tip related to golf swing improvement should start with
mention of alignment. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Can you find
articles on proper alignment? Of course, but you have to do some
moderate digging. My experience tells me the reason for this is that
pointing yourself in the right direction is a given, it's the mechanics
that need to be mastered.
No doubt, mastering mechanics is necessary, but how can that be
achieved if one never aligns themselves the same way twice? In short it
can't, and there in lies the problem. A golfer can not progress the
improvement of their swing without mastering the art (and skill) of
alignment. Does it mater what your lead arm is doing throughout the
swing? If your weight is transferring correctly? Hands releasing? No, no
and no unless you are aligned correctly each and every time you stand
over the ball.
The solution is simple really, practice alignment 100% of your
practice time. Change your targets often throughout your entire practice
session. Use alignment sticks or clubs on the ground to insure you are
aligned correctly. Otherwise the percentage is high that you'll start to
develop bad habits that we all know are hard to break.
Once you have committed to practicing alignment, one then must understand how the alignment set up works......
