Golf Swing Series: Lining Up

The most important thing is to have your toes pointing towards a line which is pointing to the target. By this I mean, place a club on the ground between you and the target. Long axis pointing directly at the target. Stand with your toes just touching the shaft of the club. You are now lined up to make your golf swing and to hit your ball towards the target. Out on the course, you have to use an imaginary line in the same way. Before you hit your shot, stand with a club aimed at the target. You will see two images of the club. Make one image lie across the ball as it aims at the target. Look for a blade of grass or similar landmark about two or three feet beyond the ball also crossed by the club. The ball and this land mark form the line along which you will line up.

Do this on the practice fairway so that you can check that you are correct in what you are doing. When you have lined up, place a club just in front of your toes, and see if it is aiming at the target. If it is not then note where the club is pointing. Try to line up again but this time move your front foot to try to correct the error in your first attempt to line up.Then repeat the exercise of the club just touching your toes and see where it is pointing this time. When you get it right, remember this small movement and do it each time you line up.

You will find that the error will be consistent, and each time you make the small movement with your front foot, you will be correctly lined up. Experiment until you have it right. It is very important to line up correctly. If you are slightly off line, and you are approaching a green surrounded by bunkers you will most likely hit into one of them because you are not lined up correctly.

Bill Maitland is a thinking, inventive golf guru. He developed simple techniques and tips which enabled him to lower his handicap from 25 to 18, then from 18 to 15, and finally from 15 to 12. He is a passionate golfer, and delights in helping others with their game should they want his help. To learn about his tips and simple techniques, visit his web site and subscribe to his free Hole_in_One News Letter. http://www.onlinegolfershandbook.com

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