Club-face Alignment

• Posted on Grant
• in Golf Fundamentals, Golf Set-up
• on January 1, 2014
• Comments Off on Club-face Alignment

One of the most common causes of a faulty swing is faulty club-face alignment. To hit a golf ball consistently, you want your address and impact club-face positions to match.

The best way to swing a golf club is to start with the club-face square to the target line. This will give you the best chance of returning to impact in a square position. In the pictures below, I am setting up to the ball with a 7-iron.

Above: Notice how the leading edge of the club-face is square to the target line. This square club-face will send the ball directly at my target.

An open club-face will send shots high and to the right…

…And a closed club-face will send shots to the left. When the club-face is closed at impact, the ball will fly lower and farther than expected. The more you close the club-face, the more effective loft you take off of the club at impact.

When looking down at the ball, you want to make sure that the leading edge of the club-face is square to the target line. Above is what a square club-face looks like at address.

Here’s what an open club-face looks like at address…

….And finally, here’s what a closed club-face looks like.

The closed club-face is the most common mistake I see when I’m teaching golf. Notice how the top-line of the club is square to the target line, but the leading edge is pointed to the left. This square top-line gives the false appearance that the club-face is square to the target line. However, when you look at the leading edge of the club, you can easily tell that the club-face is pointed to the left.

Always remember, when looking down at the ball, make sure the leading edge of the club-face is square to the target.

Happy New Years!

GB