The Thesis
If you ask a Tour pro why they hit a bad shot, 90% of the time they will blame their setup. If you ask an amateur, they will blame their swing. This is the fundamental disconnect.
You have total, conscious control over your alignment and posture. As Jack Nicklaus famously stated, a correct setup gives you a chance to hit a good shot even with a mediocre swing [Nicklaus, p.79].
Tiger Woods adds that alignment determines your swing path: "If you set up incorrectly, you'll hit a lousy shot even if you make the greatest swing in the world" [Nicklaus, p.79]. In fact, Tiger admits that when he was struggling with a hook, it was often because his alignment was "too closed," forcing his hands to manipulate the clubface [Woods, p. 10].
We must build a platform that allows the swing to happen, rather than a prison the swing must fight to escape.
The Conflict
The debate on alignment centers on whether the body should be perfectly parallel to the target (Geometric) or adjusted to facilitate movement (Dynamic).
The Geometric Ideal:
Homer Kelley (The Golfing Machine) advocates for the 'Railroad Track' theory: parallel lines for the ball-to-target and for the body. This minimizes variables.
The Dynamic Adjusters:
- Jack Nicklaus preferred to aim his feet slightly right (closed) and shoulders left (open) to facilitate his fade [Nicklaus, p.92].
- Ben Hogan changed his stance with the club: square for short irons, closed for the driver [Hogan, p.38].
- Tom Watson adds another layer: "I advise that the older you get... the more you need to turn your hips to create a fuller shoulder turn" [Rotella, p. 143]. Watson suggests older golfers might benefit from a closed stance to help turn the hips [Watson, p. 162].
The Mentalist:
Dr. Bob Rotella argues that the physical alignment means nothing without mental alignment. He warns against "aimless practice" where golfers just bash balls without a specific target [Rotella, p. 170]. He insists that "Before taking any shot, a golfer must pick out the smallest possible target" [Rotella, p. 61].
The Conflict: Kelley wants mathematical precision. Hogan/Watson want anatomical accommodation. Rotella wants mental focus.
The Synthesis (Best Practice)
For the average golfer, Nicklaus's cross-alignment is too complex. Hogan's variable stance adds confusion. We will adopt the Geometric Square as the standard but modify it with Watson's Athleticism and Rotella's Mental Discipline.
[Image: Bird's-eye view of a golfer at address showing the 'Railroad Tracks'—two parallel lines, one for the ball-to-target and one for the feet, knees, hips, and shoulders]
1. The Body (The Machine)
Stick to the Railroad Tracks (square alignment) as your baseline.
- Exceptions: If you are older or lack flexibility, follow Watson's advice: "Pull your right foot back" (close the stance) to allow for a fuller turn [Watson, p. 162].
- Tiger's Check: Tiger flares his right foot out slightly to aid the backswing turn and his left foot out to aid the follow-through [Woods, p. 160].
2. The Eyes (The Sniper)
We combine Nicklaus's intermediate target with Rotella's "Small Target" philosophy.
- Rotella's Rule: "Aim small, miss small." Don't aim at the fairway; aim at a specific mowing strip. Don't aim at the green; aim at a specific branch in the distance [Rotella, p. 61].
- Nicklaus's Spot: Pick a spot 1-2 feet in front of the ball.
- Watson's Goalposts: For tee shots, Watson visualizes "football goalposts" in the fairway and tries to hit the ball through them [Watson, p. 48].
3. The Posture (The Athlete)
Ignore rigid instructions. Use the 'Shortstop Ready Position.'
- Woods's Athleticism: "I flex my knees just a little, enough to make them feel alive... I keep my chin held high, my back straight" [Woods, p. 160].
- Watson's Spine Angle: "Bend from the hips, not the waist... Keep your spine angle constant" [Watson, p. 8].
[Image: Side view of proper golf posture showing the 'Shortstop Ready Position'—hip hinge, slight knee flex, arms hanging straight down, spine tilted but not curved]
The Drill
The Intermediate Target Routine
Goal: To align the body perfectly square and lock the mind onto the target.
The Setup:
- 1. Stand behind the ball.
- 2. Draw a line from the ball to the target (Rotella's "Small Target").
- 3. Pick a specific blade of grass or old tee 12 inches in front of the ball on that line (Nicklaus's Spot).
The Action:
- 1. Walk into the shot.
- 2. Do not look at the flag. Stare only at your intermediate spot.
- 3. Set the clubface down so it is perfectly square to that spot.
- 4. Build your stance around the clubface. Align your toes, knees, and shoulders parallel to the line of the clubface.
- 5. Tiger's Trigger: Once set, look at the target, look at the ball, and go. Tiger warns against freezing over the ball: "If you freeze... tension creeps in" [Woods, p. 74].
The Lesson:
Alignment is a discipline. As Tom Watson notes, "I never hit a shot, even in practice, without picking a very specific target" [Watson, p. 48]. By shrinking the target to a spot 12 inches away, you make the game manageable and your alignment perfect.