How to Use Golf Alignment Sticks Effectively (Tips and Drills for Better Shots)

Britt Olizarowicz

Aug 26, 2024 . 7 mins read

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Golf alignment sticks are the best training aid available to golfers. However, most people don’t know how to use them effectively.

Throwing a golf alignment stick on the ground while you practice can work sometimes, but there is so much more you can do to benefit your game.

We will explain the best ways to use golf alignment sticks and some great drills to incorporate into your routine.

How to Use Golf Alignment Sticks (Key Takeaways)

If you don’t have time to read our entire article on how to use golf alignment sticks, here are the most important takeaways:

• The simplest way to use alignment sticks is to create lines on the ground for shot accuracy. When possible, use more than one stick for the club path and stance.
• When placing alignment sticks in the ground, pay close attention to the angle. They can be used as a guide or to help prevent the club from approaching the ball in different ways.
• Alignment sticks are great for short game practice; they can be used for chipping and putting.
• Don’t forget that you can also swing with alignment sticks and use them in drills; they don’t only have to be placed on or in the ground.

If you want to see a video of some of the best golf alignment stick drills, this one from Rob Cheney gives you five to work on that you can try at the range today.

How to Practice with Golf Alignment Sticks

Alignment

The number one way to use alignment sticks is for alignment. Every golfer should be using alignment sticks in this way.

If you are practicing at the range, it makes sense to line up to a target and attempt to hit consistent shots.

To use alignment sticks correctly, place one on the ground parallel to your target line. Then, use another stick perpendicular to the first that runs between your legs. This one can be used to check the ball’s position.

Your hips, feet, and shoulders should be in line with the alignment stick on the ground.

Swing Path and Plane

Alignment sticks can correct swing path and prevent shots like slicing or hooking. One of the things we deal with a lot with HackMotion is golfers looking to fix their slice.

There are two ways to use alignment sticks when working on swing path.

The first is to create a gate on the ground that helps establish the desired swing path.

For an inside-out swing path, turn the alignment sticks slightly to guide the clubhead. You can turn the sticks in the opposite direction for an outside-in swing. Focus on swinging the club through the gate without hitting the sticks.

One of the great things about this drill is the visualization it provides.

You can also place alignment sticks in the ground to match the shaft angle you are trying to achieve on the backswing or downswing. For this concept, leaving the alignment stick just out of reach and then swinging back and checking its position is the best process.

Ball Position

Ball position changes from one club to the next, and for many golfers, this can be a hard thing to narrow down at times. It’s difficult to tell if your golf ball is in the right place by simply looking down at setup.

Putting a golf alignment stick between your legs, perpendicular to the target line, and pointing at the ball can help you determine the proper ball position. For longer clubs, the ball will be more forward in the stance.

When working on hitting different types of shots, like low or high, cut or draw, you sometimes need to adjust the position of the golf ball.

Put the alignment stick there as a guide. This will give you a better visual of whether your stance is getting too narrow or wide.

Short Game

Short game shots require precision, using the alignment stick for short game practice is also important.

You can use alignment sticks on the ground when practicing chipping and pitching shots. Many of these shots require an open stance and having the stick there can help ensure you are still lined up correctly to the target.

You’ll also want to use the alignment stick in the short game to work on things like wrist action in chipping. Gripping an alignment stick and your club at the same time can help you feel if you are breaking your wrists as you get into the impact position.

Putting Stroke

When putting, you’ll want to use two alignment sticks parallel to each other on either side of the putter.

Practice making putts without touching the sticks on either side of the path. For golfers with a straight back and straight through putting stroke, these alignment sticks act as a perfect guide.

While working with the alignment sticks on the putting green, where your HackMotion. The HackMotion will help your wrist action and ensure that it’s as stable as possible. You can minimize face rotation and keep the putter on the correct path.

Drills to Practice with Alignment Sticks

Once you understand the basics of working with alignment sticks, you can start incorporating them into drills. It’s best to invest in at least two alignment sticks, but many are sold in packs of three.

Follow-Through Drill

This follow-through drill is a Rob Cheney drill that you can use to work on proper follow-through mechanics and weight shift. For this one, you will want to grip the alignment stick. Drag it along the ground through impact to create some resistance.

You’ll notice that you have to get your wrists into a more flexed position and that your weight has to be on the lead side to pull the alignment stick through with proper momentum. Try the drill a few times and then switch back to a club and hit shots.

Death Drill for Short Game

Another great Rob Cheney drill is the death drill, which improves consistency in chipping and controls wrist angles. For this one, you’ll place an alignment stick so that you can grip it and your club simultaneously.

This time, the alignment stick sits under the trail arm. This drill helps with consistency and quality of contact.

Shallow the Club

If swing plane is your issue, this drill to help you shallow the club utilizes an alignment stick as a physical and visual aid.

For this type of drill, sometimes it pays to get a pool noodle to put on the end of the alignment stick. If you accidentally hit the alignment stick, you won’t damage your club.

Final Thoughts

Don’t feel alone if you do not know how to use golf alignment sticks. So many golfers carry these around in their bag but have no idea how to use them. The golf alignment sticks are valuable and can help take your game to the next level.

Use them while wearing the HackMotion to develop further insight into what can take your game to the next level.