Alignment vital for success

     By Jon Spatz
     View staff writer
      During my years of teaching golf, I have found on several occasions students often have problems with their golf games not because of bad swings, but improper set up.
      The way you set up your golf shot often determines the outcome. For example: if a player aligns his shot 15 yards right of the target he is intending to hit, but does not realize he is aligned improperly, when the shot flies 15 yards off line, he immediately thinks he made a bad swing or didn't release his hands, etc.
      For the next few practice balls, this student can begin to develop a pull swing (swinging the club to the left of the target line) in an attempt to keep the ball from going to the right. By doing this, the student has now created another problem with the path of the golf club.
      While teaching, I always encourage the player to pick a target and hit toward it -- whether it's a flag on the range, a discolored spot in the turf, or a shadow on the fairway.
      By doing this, the student avoids the habit of just swinging away with no real target in mind. It also gives me a chance to check the student's alignment.
      If the alignment is off, this is the first thing we work on. I compare it to an archer aiming at a bull's-eye. If the arrow isn't pointing toward the bull's-eye, it probably won't find its mark.
      If we as golfers are not aiming at our target, it will be difficult to hit the green without making some sort of adjustment in our swing to compensate for the bad alignment.
      One drill that I encourage you to use is the "railroad track" with two other clubs. Line one club 6 to 8 inches to the right of the golf ball (for a right handed player) in line with your intended target.
      Take your normal stance at the ball and place another club across your toes, parallel to the first club. You will notice that this club should point slightly left of the intended target.
      The golf clubs should not be in the way of your stance or swing, but serve as a guide to line up with. Make sure the clubs are parallel to each other.
      If done correctly, you should feel like your feet, knees, hip, and shoulders are lined up slightly left of your intended target. Hit several shots with the clubs on the ground making sure you are lined up with them.
      The more you do this, the more natural this setup will become. Eventually, you will not need to use the clubs to line up, but if you take them away too soon, you are liable to slip back into the old, improper alignment.
      Remember, if you are missing your mark with your shots, don't be too quick to assume that you are making a bad swing. There may be a simple alignment change that will get you back on track.
     
     Jon Spatz is the head golf professional at Desert Willow Golf Course at Sun City MacDonald Ranch. He can be reached at Jon Spatz, c/o Desert Willow Golf Course, Sun City MacDonald Ranch, 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Henderson, NV, 89012, or by e-mail at spatzjo@delwebb.com or by calling 263-GOLF.