Alignment, Start Line and Clubface Control
Let's clear up a big myth: you don't square the clubface by “holding it off” with your hands at the last second. Clubface control is earned earlier - in your setup - and then delivered by a sequence that repeats. When setup wanders, face control chases it and your start lines bounce all over.
Need more reps? Drill: The Drill for a Powerful, Connected Rotation.
Why setup is the quiet boss
Ball position and stance width influence shoulder alignment and low point. Move the ball too far forward, your shoulders tend to open and the path shifts left; too far back and shoulders close, path tilts right. The face then has to “save” shots - sometimes it makes it, sometimes it doesn't. A consistent lead‑heel reference for ball position keeps those tendencies in check.
What's the working model we lean on from the StanceMate guide?
- Irons (9-6i): back of the ball sits about one clubhead inside the lead heel; low point occurs after the ball, in line with that heel.
- Longer irons and hybrids: stance widens by moving the trail foot, so the ball's relation to the lead heel remains stable while the arc shallows. The front foot stays put. This is still "hitting down" and "ball before turf" but only just.
- 3 wood: stance widens by moving the trail foot, but the ball goes about 1 ball width further forward and the arc shallows to basically flat at impact. .
- Driver: back of ball opposite the inside lead heel to let you hit up on it.
Which myths keep creeping into this conversation?
- “Just roll the wrists more.” Rolling is random if the path moved because the ball moved.
- “Strengthen or weaken your grip for every miss.” Grip matters, sure, but without a steady ball position it's guesswork.
- “Face control is all hands.” It's mostly body and geometry set by address, then delivered by timing you can trust.
How do start line and aim talk past each other?
Start line is mostly the face angle at impact; curve is mainly caused by the face-to-path relationship‑to‑path**. Aim is where your body and clubface point at address. Those two can fight if ball position shifts your shoulders.
- The subtle setup trap
- Ball too forward tends to open the shoulders (path left).
- Ball too back tends to close them (path right). Keep the ball in its club‑specific spot (lead‑heel reference) so your shoulders stay parallel to the target and your intended start line matches reality.
Where do most alignment errors sneak in?
If your clubface is square, you need to check your alignment. Aim can be perfect at the clubface and still wrong in the body. If feet, hips, or shoulders aren't parallel to the target line, your path adapts and the ball follows your setup, not your intention.
- Simple, PDF‑consistent routine Set the face first, then align body lines parallel to the target. Place the ball relative to the lead heel (mid‑iron: back of ball one clubhead inside). Don't change the ball position to “find” the target - adjust aim with your feet and shoulders, not with ball drift.
What's the quick recap on clubface control?
Lock down ball position per club and a stance width that suits the club's length. With those constants, your face doesn't need last‑second heroics; it arrives predictably relative to the path.
What are the quick questions golfers keep asking?
Q: Why do we start every fix by checking the clubface?
A: Because the face points where the ball starts. Square it first, then you can trust the path adjustments instead of playing chase-the-tail.
Q: How do you spot alignment drift before it becomes a swing fault?
A: Lay sticks on the ground once a session. If your shoulders creep open or closed you'll see it instantly instead of after three holes of pulls and pushes.