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

Golf alignment sticks are one of the best training aid available to golfers. However, most people don’t know how to use them effectively. Having them sitting in your bag isn’t doing you much good.

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 primary use of 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

If your swing path is off, you’re likely battling a slice, hook, or general inconsistency.

Alignment sticks can give you instant visual feedback, and when combined with HackMotion, you’ll see exactly how your wrist angles and face control tie into your plane.

To improve your swing plane:

• Start by placing an alignment stick in the ground at the same angle as your shaft at address. Set it just outside your target line, behind the ball.
• As you swing back, check to see if your club shaft stays parallel to the stick. If the club dives too far inside or lifts steeply, you’re off plane.

This setup works for the downswing too. Position the stick slightly outside the intended path, if you’re coming over the top, you’ll clip it. The goal is to swing under or along the stick, depending on what you’re trying to fix.

HackMotion complements this perfectly by confirming your wrist angles throughout the motion. You’ll know whether your lead wrist is bowing too early, cupping at the top, or extending at impact—crucial details that affect swing path and clubface alignment.

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.

Short Game

Short game shots require precision, and 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 it comes to putting, alignment sticks aren’t just for setup; they’re one of the best tools for improving stroke path and wrist stability.

And while many golfers try to “take the wrists out” of their putting, the truth is your wrists are moving in every stroke. The question is: are they helping or hurting you?

Start with the basic gate drill: place two alignment sticks (or tees) just wider than your putter head and practice rolling the ball without touching them. This gives you instant feedback on your path and helps reduce unwanted in-and-out wrist motion (radial and ulnar deviation). As you improve, tighten the gate for more precise control.

To take it further, use HackMotion to track what your wrists are actually doing during the stroke. The sensor measures:

• Flexion/extension (which affects loft and speed)
• Rotation (which controls face angle)
• Radial/ulnar motion (which alters path and strike)

If your lead wrist is adding too much flexion in the backswing or flipping through impact, HackMotion will show you so you can correct it, not guess.

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 full-swing drill (from Rob Cheney) helps improve weight shift, trail wrist extension, and proper follow-through mechanics. It’s especially useful for players who struggle with early release or flipping the club at impact.

Death Drill for Short Game

Another great Rob Cheney drill (video above) is the death drill, which improves consistency in chipping and controls wrist angles.

Chopsticks Drill

The Chopsticks Drill may take a minute to set up, but if you want to create for yourself the perfect putting aid, this will do it.

You can work on exactly what the motion is supposed to feel like when you putt.

Final Thoughts

Don’t feel alone if you do not know how to use golf alignment sticks. Many golfers carry these around in their bags 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.