Having the proper alignmenst will have your shots sailing into the skyline during your round. (Courtesy João Estêvão A. de Freitas)

Verify impact alignments for a good golf swing

By Chuck Evans,
Special Contributor

In previous articles I have discussed the importance of "alignments."

Let me clarify this a little further by saying that body alignments to the target are only a very small piece of the equation. Before every shot is played we must check and verify "impact alignments," which are:

1. Clubface to target line
2. Grip to Clubface
3. Hands to the ball
4. Plane Angle
5. Pressure Points
6. Right Forearm Position

The clubface to the target line is absolutely critical and changes depending on what motion you are making with the clubface. For instance, if you are moving the clubface like a door opening and closing then the clubface alignment at impact would be slightly open to allow for the natural closing. If the clubface was square at impact using this procedure then the ball will always start left -- a clubface pull.

Your grip in relation to the clubface dictates how the clubface will operate - wherever your target side hand goes the clubface follows.

At impact the hands should always be -- for a normal shot -- in front of the clubface and never behind it.

The plane angle is the angle you have chosen to come into the ball at. This could vary depending upon your choice. It could be like Ben Hogan or Colin Montgomerie -- your choice.

Pressure points are simply what part(s) of your hands and arms are creating the pressure on the club. You always want these behind the shaft so that Impact has support.

The right forearm in all great golf strokes always points at the base of the plane -- target line -- and is inline with the clubshaft, again, giving support through impact.

Balance, grip and plane line must be verified before every shot!

November 14, 2006

Chuck Evans, G.S.E.D., a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, is one of only 31 golf instructors worldwide designated to hold a doctorate in golf stroke engineering. He is executive director of instruction for the Medicus Golf Institute and has served as director of schools for the PGA Tour Golf Academy, and as director of instruction for the United States Golf Institute. He is also the author of "How To Build Your Golf Swing."