News: Instruction

By Travis Fulton, Director of Instruction, TOUR Academy

Perhaps it is time to fear the mustache of Johnson Wagner as he wins for the second time in the last 11 months on the PGA TOUR.  Wagner is a guy that keeps things simple with his approach to the game with really no swing thoughts but rather just quick references to two fundamentals at address: alignment and ball position.

Certainly not two of the most glamorous components of the golf swing but two very important ones that set the stage to hit the particular shot you are looking for.  The most common error with alignment is getting the stance line open relative to the alignment of the club face.  This error becomes more prevalent and damaging to the ball flight as the club gets longer because the longer the club, the more the ball position needs to move forward in the stance.  As a result, it is very easy for the upper body to “face the ball” allowing the shoulders to aim well left of the target line for a right handed golfer.

TRAVIS’ TIP

Incorporate the importance of alignment into your pre-shot routine.  First, pick out an intermediate target that is inline with your target.  Walk into the ball and approach it by aiming the club face first down your intended target line.  Next, focus on the stance line by first setting the feet and then more importantly focusing on the alignment of your hips and shoulders.  Be conscious that as the ball position moves forward in the stance that you may need to feel as if your upper body is looking behind the ball rather than at the ball.  This will allow the shoulders to square up or even be slightly closed helping promote that power draw off the tee just like Wagner.

Alignment is not easy and can be tricky on the golf course.  It’s important to understand what your tendencies are with alignment and how those patterns can be even more affected as you change clubs and ball position.

Travis Fulton is the Director of Instruction at the TOUR Academies at TPC Sawgrass and the World Golf Village. For more information on the TOUR Academy, click here