As you get ready to shake the rust off your swing to start the new season, we should think about the proper way to set up the ball. 

If you have ever gone to the range to watch the pros practice at a PGA TOUR event you'll see that they always have a "hitting station" set up. At the very least their caddy or swing coach is behind them to be sure they are set up square to their target.

I like to have my students set something on the ground like a golf club or one of those little orange sticks players carry to aid them in their alignment. In fact, I give every student I teach one of these just for this purpose (they actually are driveway markers and can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowe’s for a few dollars). 

The reasoning is simple, if you are lined up wrong, then you have to do something else wrong to hit a good shot. Here are some tips:

·         Place the stick halfway between your feet and the ball. As you step up to the ball make sure your feet are parallel to the stick. Now you can eliminate alignment questions from your thought process when analyzing your ball flight.

·         Since the stick is between the target line and your feet, it has to point slightly left of the target. If you aim the stick directly at your target, you will be misaligned to the right of your intended line. 

·         When you set up you are actually trying to get your heels parallel to the target line, not the toes. The left foot is usually turned out a little to aid in opening the hips on the down swing, so when you look down, the left toe can be a little farther from the stick than the right. This can make you feel like you are aimed more left than you actually are. 

For parents who are trying to help their kids set up square to their target, this word of advice: kids love to use the stick. I think the stick has kind of a "cool factor" because they see tour players using them. 

A two-dollar driveway marker seems so simple, but it's important to be meticulous about your alignment.  If you get a little misaligned it doesn't take long to mess up a perfectly good swing. 

Next month I will discuss the proper sequencing to getting set up so that you can repeat those positions on the golf course without the aid of the stick.

Until next time: P.I.T.M.O.S.

(Preparation is the Mother of Success)

Rob Shipman is a PGA professional and Director of Instruction at the Shipman Golf Institute  in Overland Park, Kansas. He has twice been named PGA Midwest Section Teacher of the Year.