The importane of alignment

Alignment is one of the key basics for golf, but it’s really easy to get a little bit off. Poor alignment can affect your swing and prevent you getting the rewards you deserve from good shots.

- Tour coach Zane Scotland

It’s really important that you aim exactly where you want to at address, but it’s worth noting that you might not always want to align straight at where you want the ball to finish, such as the flag or the middle of the fairway. You need to take your natural shot shape into account, so aim left to allow for a fade or right to allow for a draw if you’re a righthander, and the reverse for lefties.

Play it safe

Give yourself a bit of margin for error on the course by favouring the safe side with your intended target. If there’s a water hazard or deep bunker down one side of the fairway, aim more towards the other side.