How to Get The Most From Your Golf Alignment Sticks

For the uninitiated, alignment sticks are wooden or plastic sticks with a primary purpose of helping golfers work on their alignment during practice where other more visual aids may not be present - for example a driving range mat with its own alignment markings.

However, one of the main benefits of alignment sticks is their versatility. With a plethora of options, we take a look at some of the most common uses for alignment sticks.

Identifying Target

The most common use, and their initial purpose, alignment sticks can be laid on the ground, pointed towards the intended target. From there, golfers can look to set up their feet, hips and shoulders square to this line - safe in the knowledge that regardless of their swing, they were at least aiming correctly to begin with! This can be particularly useful when working on your game on a grass range or practice area. Or, if you want to aim at a different target on the driving range.

The sticks aren’t limited in use to full shots though. They can just as easily be used to ensure alignment is correct on short chip shots, or even when putting. With repeatable alignment being critical to elite golf, practicing in this fashion can help the body get into a solid routine, providing confidence that you’re lined up correctly when you make your way to the course.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Manipulating Swing Path

Another frequent use of alignment sticks is their ability to visibly demonstrate the desired path of a swing. Somebody looking to hit arrow-straight golf shots could create a ‘tramline’ with two alignment sticks either side of the ball - pointing towards their target - to encourage a swing which travels down this line, with the intention of starting the ball straight. This is also commonly seen on the practice putting green, with golfers looking to groove in a repeatable, and straight, putting stroke, with the putter head traveling straight back and through.

However, in the full swing many golfers favour one particular shape over another, with alignment sticks helping to groove in the feeling of either a draw or a fade. Those looking to work on a fade can aim their alignment sticks left of the desired target, and get used to the feeling of swinging down this line with a face that is slightly open to the path to create a repeatable fade. Those looking to move the ball the other way to hit a draw can simply do the opposite - setting their alignment sticks up to the right of target!

Creating a Consistent Ball Position

One trait which is prevalent amongst elite golfers is the consistency of their ball position for each club. The regularity of elite golfers’ setups creates the ideal conditions from which repeatable swings can be made.

We often hear that the ball should be positioned in a certain place - for example, inside the left heel or from the ‘middle of your stance’. But how often do we actually work on this, and how do we know we’ve got it positioned correctly? Simply laying down an alignment stick pointed towards the ball from the required placement in your setup will provide a visual aid that is repeatable, until this ball position starts to become second nature!

Working on Start Line

Something a little different now, and perhaps more suited to plastic alignment sticks with a sharper point, versus wooden ones with rounded endings. Many golfers will place an alignment stick into the ground, roughly 5-10 yards ahead of them, with the intention of starting the ball either side of this point. This is particularly useful if you are working on hitting a certain shape, for example a draw, which might require you to consistently start the ball to the right of its final target. Having something to ‘miss’ is an incredibly powerful tool when practicing a new move, or bedding in something which needs to feel automatic by the time your round starts. Those feeling confident could even set two alignment sticks in the ground as a gate, with the intention of starting the ball between the gap - we’ll leave it to you to decide how wide you’d like them to be!

A Swing Aid of Their Own

The lightweight nature and minimal circumference of alignment sticks, means they can be incredibly useful as a training aid to check the positioning of your body throughout the swing. Holding an alignment stick across the chest will allow you to see how your shoulders and body turn throughout the swing, helping you to differentiate between ‘feel’ and ‘real’ when working on your swing. Similarly, threading an alignment stick through the belt loops on your trousers, will allow you to see how your legs and hips turn throughout the swing.

Design Your Own Golf Hole!

If you’re unable to get to the course, or want to work on a particular length of shot that isn’t catered for at your practice area, alignment sticks can be a great way of creating a target to aim at. Simply pop your alignment stick in the ground and voila! Dependent on your practice chipping green at your own club too, you may even be able to use an alignment stick to create your own target if others are either busy, or not in the correct place for the shot you’re working on.

Alignment sticks can be particularly useful for working on distances away from the course. Those with access to a field or open space could mark off 50 yards, with an alignment stick at either end, and simply hit balls back and forth between the markers. This is a great way to get to know your own yardages - although we’d advise you go somewhere quiet and clear of people out for a leisurely dog walk!

A Stylish (and Practical) Headcover Holder

Now, we know this isn’t the intention for alignment sticks, but they do make fabulous holders for both headcovers and gloves! Rather than tossing either of these on the ground when you approach a green or tee, simply pop them over your alignment sticks in the bag. Not only does it look cool, it also saves getting things muddy (as well as saving your back from bending down!). Keep your eyes peeled next time you’re watching the pros on TV - it’s a tip which is frequently used by the best players in the world, and if it’s good enough for them...

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