Professional golfers are now using social media more frequently, providing amateur players with a wealth of coaching information to help them lower their handicaps.
In a golfing world where hints and tips are plentiful, listening to some of the game’s elite could prove massively beneficial.
Just recently, Bryson DeChambeau revealed how to avoid three-putts, and Phil Mickelson detailed an ‘important’ tip to improve distance off the tee.
Jason Day and Rory McIlroy have also shared small pieces of coaching advice in recent social media clips. Now, Patrick Reed is the latest to offer help. The 2018 Masters champion has detailed the importance of alignment while on the driving range.
Patrick Reed shares driving range tip
Speaking during an X clip posted by the 4Aces, Reed claimed many amateurs don’t realise the importance of an alignment stick whilst on the driving range.
“I just wanted to go ahead and give you the easiest tip that you all need when you’re out there practicing on the golf course,” Reed said.
“Always, when people are out there practicing on the range, they start whacking golf balls. Well, your best friend needs to be an alignment rod. When you have such an open field, it’s easy to get your alignment messed up, and when you actually hit a good golf shot but aimed incorrectly, you think that you made a poor golf swing, and then you start into bad habits.”
He added: “What I do is always put a rod down for every shot I hit on the driving range. I always put it halfway in between. What that does is every single swing we make, we are parallel to the line, and you’re able to warm up and hit every shot and see what your tendencies are, whether you’re hitting right or left.”
Why use alignment sticks?
Typically, alignment sticks have been used to align feet with the target. The stick is usually placed close and parallel to the toes.
However, many professionals now use an alignment stick to ensure their club face is pointing in the correct direction. Ideally, the stick and the face should be aimed at the target.
“I hit draws, and my tendency is to aim too far to the right and start hitting big draws,” Eric Cole told Golf Digest. “I focus a lot on my aim. It’s a simple thing that helps me hit better shots.”
Furthermore, by placing the stick nearer the ball, golfers can gain immediate feedback on their swing path. An over-the-top player who is prone to slicing the ball would place a stick on the outside of the ball and seek to miss it during their downward motion.
“I’ve always responded really well to using obstacles and forcing my body to figure out how to swing around them,” Justin Thomas said.
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