10 ways to master aim and accuracy, per a top teacher

To really excel in the game of golf, you must master your aim and alignment — whether that’s on the putting surface or using a full swing with a driver or iron.

While there are lots of things that go into the golf swing, one thing you can control is where you aim, which will go a long way in determining the result of each shot.

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Having just completed a week of golf schools and having the privilege to help a great group of golfers improve their games, a common challenge I saw for many of them was identifying the proper aim and alignment.

If you find yourself struggling with this common issue, here are 10 keys to success.

1. Start with solid contact

Focusing on making solid, center-faced contact is a great way to determine where and how to aim. If you don’t make reasonable contact with the clubface, it can be difficult to even know if you were aimed correctly. A good golf posture is key for making solid contact.

2. The ball is your initial target

If you’re a newer golfer, just making good contact is certainly a great goal. So really dial in this part of your game — even if it feels a bit boring or elementary. Once you master this beginning stage, you can move towards focusing on aiming and aligning both the clubface and the body.

3. Learning to hit the ball where you’re aimed

Whether you hook or slice it, you need to work on improving your setup and swing fundamentals to hit it to your desired spot. Of course, this is easier said than done, but as you build these fundamentals, you’ll understand how to execute the shot you envision in your mind — even putting deliberate curve or spin on the ball.

4. The importance of the grip

While it may not seem fancy or exciting, the way you grip the golf club will go a long way in determining the outcome of your shot — and if it lands anywhere near your desired target. Once again, good fundamentals are important, as is making contact that’s in the middle of the clubface.

5. The alignment circle

When you need to make minor adjustments to where your clubface aims and where you body is aligned, I always suggest using an alignment circle as part of your setup routine.

So if you adjust the place that the clubface aims and the body aligns, the steps in your setup should be circular, which helps ensure your alignments change equally and you’re capable of maintaining proper ball position for good contact.

6. Clubface first

The most efficient setup routines often involve aiming the clubface first, then setting the body when you address the golf ball — since there’s a huge advantage for setting the club first and then building your setup around it.

Once you set the club properly and adjust both your ball position and posture, this allows the clubface to stay pointed towards your desired target.

7. Body alignments

Many golfers confuse alignment with where their body is positioned. Your body lines should be parallel to the target line, but, due to the railroad effect, they’re actually pointed left of the target for a right-handed golfer. So, oftentimes, amateur golfers may feel like they’re aimed too far left — but it’s actually where they should be positioned.

8. Look while setting up

Aiming the clubface and aligning the body is a learned skill, and those who do it will often look to the target many times while setting up. This visual skill will improve as you practice and train your eyes.

9. Know your tendencies

Most golfers have some sort of aiming tendencies or bias. For example, I tend to aim too far right, so, knowing that, I quickly adjust when I start to make this mistake. Even though it feels like I’m aimed way left after I adapt, it’s actually the right spot to be.

10. Use alignment aids

I don’t often use training aids, but alignment sticks (available here!) are always a helpful way to double-check both my clubface aim and body alignment. Using them as checkpoints, I’m able to see exactly where I’m aiming during practice, which helps me avoid having poor alignment or changing my swing to compensate for bad aim.

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Golf.com

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor