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Alignment Stick Drills for Shot Shaping

From John Kostis On January 27, 2023

In the final installment of his alignment stick series, Titleist staff member John Kostis discusses shot-shaping – getting the ball to curve in a desired fashion. John shows how an alignment stick... positioned on your target line, a few yards in front of you, can serve as a great reference point to understand your club face-to-swing path relationship, the foundation for working the golf ball.

Shaping your ball flight left-to-right and right-to-left is an advanced skill that can help you curve the ball around obstacles, navigate dogleg holes and attack tucked pin positions. Using the alignment stick, however, will allow you to properly calibrate the adjustments you need in order to curve the ball the desired amount. For instance, you may be able to hit a ten-yard fade with only a minor adjustment to your setup, grip and swing path. But you may need more drastic adjustments in order to draw the ball the same amount. Your alignment stick will help you identify those appropriate feels while verifying that your ball is starting on the line you intend and curving the way you want. When you bring this skill to the golf course, your shot-making will improve dramatically.

In the final installment of his alignment stick series, Titleist staff member John ... Kostis discusses shot-shaping – getting the ball to curve in a desired fashion. John shows how an alignment stick positioned on your target line, a few yards in front of you, can serve as a great reference point to understand your club face-to-swing path relationship, the foundation for working the golf ball.

Shaping your ball flight left-to-right and right-to-left is an advanced skill that can help you curve the ball around obstacles, navigate dogleg holes and attack tucked pin positions. Using the alignment stick, however, will allow you to properly calibrate the adjustments you need in order to curve the ball the desired amount. For instance, you may be able to hit a ten-yard fade with only a minor adjustment to your setup, grip and swing path. But you may need more drastic adjustments in order to draw the ball the same amount. Your alignment stick will help you identify those appropriate feels while verifying that your ball is starting on the line you intend and curving the way you want. When you bring this skill to the golf course, your shot-making will improve dramatically.