End the myth of alignment

Set up so your natural shot shape brings the ball back to the target, rather than fight it

COMMON wisdom suggests you set up ‘square’ to your target – or where you want the ball to come to rest. If every shot you hit was arrow straight, then that would make complete sense.

Thus, as Gary Nicol, a European Tour coach and co-founder of Tour Pro Experience Golf School at Archerfield Links Golf Club in North Berwick, Scotland

explains, we all tend to hit most of our shots with some degree of shape either left-to-right or right-toleft. As the clubface is largely responsible for the initial start line or launch direction, awareness of where it points at impact is essential.

Use this step-by-step plan to line up to the ball accurately,

consistently and realistically.

1 Reap what is sown

If your stock shot is a five-yard fade and you set up square to where you want the ball to finish, don’t be surprised to see your ball finish five yards right of the target. Always use your shot shape to work the ball back to your target, not away from it.

2 Clubface first

Start your address process with the middle of the clubface pointing where you want the ball to start.

3 Complete set up

Visualise your start line and shot shape as you complete your set up to allow for your tendency.

4 Initial start line

Trust your swing and focus on your start line. Your natural shape will bring the ball back to your target.