Thursday, February 9, 2012

Alignment Drills Re-thought

The common way for a player to practice our alignment is to throw down a club along our feet and beat ball after ball... Then, on the course, the player wonders why he can't align properly...

Here is a couple different ways to improve your alignment that you might not have thought about.

ZERO OUT YOUR ALIGNMENT
Take three clubs to lay on the ground.  Lay the first one along your foot line.  The other lay just outside the toe of the club.  The final club lay just inside the heel of the club.  Make sure all three clubs are aligned parallel to each other.  Finally, and most importantly, DO NOT AIM THE THREE CLUBS AT ANYTHING.

Swing freely and confidently.  Take multiple swings. Concentrate on making the best and most repeatable swing motion.  Switch clubs but hit the ball on the same target line.

RESULT: Actively observe where you most consistently hit the ball.  If you are able to hit the ball consistently in the same direction... WHO CARES WHERE YOU AIM?!

EXAMPLE:  Here is Camron demonstrating the ZERO OUT technique.



BUILD YOUR TRUST AND YOUR INNER EYE

This is the opposite of the ZERO OUT drill.

Align the same three clubs as was prescribed in the Zero Out Drill; feet, toe and heel.  The difference is align the toe and heel club as precisely as possible to a small target.  This drill does not require any golf balls.  Align yourself to the clubs on the ground.  

RESULT:  Actively observe where the body is aligned.  Actively have your eyes follow the alignment from the golf ball to the target and back and forth and back and forth.  Each time repeating, "I am aligned at the... tree or where ever."

This may or may not assist with the actual placement or result of the golf shot.  But it will GREATLY increase your awareness of where the body is aligned to start the golf shot.

The key in both drills are to actively observe what is happening.  Please do not mindlessly hit shot over shot expecting a different result.

If you have a question or comment on this or any other topic please do not hesitate to contact me at john.grothe@gmail.com
Your friend in golf...
John Grothe, PGA


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