Do you have an alignment stick or two in your golf bag? If you don’t, you should. And if you do, do you know how to use them? Here’s how to use alignment sticks in your golf practice so that you actually benefit from them.
Alignment line
The most obvious use for the alignment stick is to lay it on the ground parallel to your target line. You can use this as a guide to help align your body (hips, shoulders, feet) and clubface.
Ensuring that everything is square to the target line will lead to more accurate shots. When you lay the alignment stick down, look down the line to ensure it’s correctly aimed at the target.
Some golfers like two sticks on the ground: one behind the ball and one just outside the ball.
Swing path
With a very small adjustment, you can turn the alignment setup into a guide for working on the swing path. You’ll need two sticks: One on the outside of the ball and another just on the inside. Make sure there is enough room between the sticks for the club to swing through.
You can use this setup to dial in your path on your standard shots. You can also turn the sticks slightly and work on a more inside-to-outside path.
Using alignment sticks to create a swing path line should help with your ball striking and accuracy. In the beginning, you’ll keep the sticks wide enough to work mainly as a visual aid (you don’t want to make too much contact with them).
You can narrow the gap between the alignment sticks as you get better.
Over-the-top prevention
If you swing the club “over the top”, an alignment stick can help you fix the issue. For this drill, putting a pool noodle on the alignment stick can be beneficial. If you hit the stick, you won’t do much damage.
Put the alignment stick in the ground at a 45-degree angle behind you, with it pointing towards the ball. Position it so you’ll hit the stick if you swing over the top on the downswing.
This drill is one of the best ways for slicers to shallow the plane and create a more inside-out swing path.
Swing plane guide
One of my favorite ways to use golf alignment sticks is to work on swing plane. I use this as a visual aid and checkpoint while practicing.
Set the club on the ground at the same angle as your shaft at setup. For a driver, this will be a shallower angle than it would be for a wedge.
As you take the club back, make sure you are following the plane. Stop again and check on the downswing to see if everything is in the right spot.
The alignment stick used as a swing plane guide is a really smart way to work on your takeaway if you feel it’s inconsistent.
Shot shaping with a vertical stick
To improve shot shaping, place an alignment stick parallel to your target line on the ground and another vertically into the ground a few feet in front of you.
This vertical stick is used as a visual guide to practice shot shaping.
(The following is for right-handers. Simply reverse the process if you’re a lefty.)
Aim to start the ball to the right of the stick and curve it to the left to hit a draw. For a fade, you’ll want to do the opposite. The great thing about this drill is you’ll learn to make simple setup
adjustments and know what it feels like to work the ball left and right of your target.
Again, just make sure you set the sticks correctly from the start so that they are appropriately aimed at the target.
Putting practice with alignment sticks
If you are working on a straight-back/straight-through putting stroke, create a “track” on the putting green. Take some strokes without the putter touching the alignment stick. You can also use the alignment sticks to eliminate excessive hand and wrist action in the putting stroke.
Another way to use the alignment sticks in putting is to put a rubber band around the end of two alignment sticks.
Take the ends of the alignment sticks that are not tied together and put one under each arm.
Now, take some strokes where you just lightly hold the end of the alignment stick and feel the pendulum movement without hands and wrists getting involved. When you get the feeling down, add the putter to the drill. This works great for those who need to quiet their body and create something more consistent.
General best practices for using alignment sticks
If you are inspired to take those alignment sticks out of the bag when you practice today, here are a few other tips and best practices.
- It Takes Two: Having two sticks allows you to work on alignment and swing path simultaneously.
- Consider Attachments: Attachments that allow sticks to stand up at different angles can expand the range of drills you can perform, making them even more versatile.
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- Consistency is Key: Regularly using alignment sticks during practice helps you feel more confident on the course. You’ll have much more awareness of the club and your setup.
- Get Serious About Your Lines: Don’t just place the sticks down randomly—be intentional with their placement. Make sure you know they are set up correctly to your target.
Hopefully, these tips and drills will help you improve your golf practice. It’s great to spend time on the range but it’s worth making progress while you’re out there.
