Where should I be aiming?

One of the most common questions I get asked by students is, “am I aiming at my target?”.My answer is usually “no”, but I very quickly add “and neither you should be!”. You may well be asking, why don’t you want your students aiming at their target? Well, I actually have 2 or 3 reasons, but today I’ll keep it to ball position (this is relevant for everyone who plays with a variable ball position (most players))

The golf swing is a rounded movement and as such, at no point is the club head travelling in a straight line, neither on a vertical or horizontal plane. As such, the further back in the stance you play the ball, then the earlier in the circle and the more from the inside your swing path will be (to the right). The further forward the ball position is, then the later in the circle the ball will be struck and the more from the outside your swing path will be (to the left).

THEREFORE, I believe, your aim should be more to the right with longer clubs (more forward ball position) and more left with your shorter irons (more back ball position).Exactly how much more to the right or left you aim will be dependant upon your own golf swing. A player with a strong ‘over the top’ transitional move, will be required to aim to the right of target with every club, much more with the long clubs and less with the short. Players with a transitional drop to the inside will likely have to aim more to the left, so remember, if you play with a variable ball position, then your aim should also vary.

Niall McGill

www.LowerYourScores.com

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