The 5 WORST ALIGNMENT MISTAKES Golfers Make & How To Easily Fix Them

[@tonydandrea5715]

Chris I really think you’re one of the best instructors out there. You do an incredible job explaining on each of your videos. The detail you get into regarding the clubs such as the face design of a club and it’s impact is a tremendous help. Thank you for putting these out there.

[@roballen6747]

I have no idea how people aim without an intermediate target but they do. Think this is possibly the best video you’ve done as EVERY golfer struggles with alignment. You see the PGA TOUR PROS checking there’s during warm ups and if it’s good enough for them it definitely is for me 😂

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Rob, and I agree, that intermediate target is key

[@chrisanderson4044]

Dude I love your videos. They make so much sense. Best instructor on KZbin imo

[@ericmcgrath3445]

Unreal Chris, thank you so much. There is not a single video you have put up that doesn’t reveal a gem 👍

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Eric really appreciate that

[@simonwhite2890]

Brilliant explanation as ever Chris. I think I simply forget to check properly during a round, particularly when I get tired.

[@ronwinter45]

Great job Chris. I really connect with your instruction

[@BJ0915]

Generally I do not comment on any instructional video, however i stumbled across this video after a few years of inconsistent golf shots and it has CHANGED my game! I was the shuffle footer with perfect alignment but not understanding why I had no control over my ball. This video has been a GAME CHANGER

[@R72Investments]

The best video about alignment I have ever seen! Really helpful. Thank you Chris.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Marcel appreciate it

[@tonyblackwood5524]

Thanks Chris, back to basics. No bad thing, bad habits are easy to get into

[@jtammyjas]

I've been checking out alignment videos and, by far, your instructions are the clearest and most comprehensive I've seen. I took lessons, and all the instructor told me was to use a stick, check my feet occasionally with my club, and line the club face up to the target. He had basically nothing to offer when I asked how I was supposed to check my alignment during an actual round when I can't really use a stick or check my feet. I can't wait to start finding that intermediate target to create a shorter target line to align my feet and shoulders with. Bravo!

[@cynthiaherrera-lindstrom8454]

Great instruction, but can you please explain what to do with the club to align it to the target?

[@Evo0304]

Thanks mate, I'm 64 just started playing golf, have played A-grade cricket for years, and played sport most of my life, but for the life of me I could never figure out why I couldn't align my golf swing. Tomorrow I'm going to put all these tips into the practice and let's see what happens...it was seriously doing my head in. Thank you

[@corytrammell5436]

Spot on. All of these points are what I quickly note on my set up, making my alignment a strong part if my game despite being a mid-handicap, occasional golfer. The other big benefit is I can better evaluate my swing on course and correct minor swing flaws accordingly. I see a lot of golfers trying to adjust swing technique when they should have been addressing alignment errors. That's deadly! Thanjs for the content.

[@mrbill2600]

The best explanation and setup routine for shot alignment that I have ever seen ... I will review this video many times. Thank you. PS You're a great teacher.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Bill really appreciate that

[@christophertimmermans7788]

Great video. The head turn at address to check your aim is crucial and an excellent tip.

[@PatrickEmmett-op6dp]

Great help to me a 17 handicapper trying to go lower, I do the little shuffle. I putting your left arm in at address or does it close off alignment. Thank you so much Chris your explanation is so good I try all your things got down to 15 at one stage. Your advice so helpful

[@benworthington4696]

Such simple little tips that you see pro's doing day in and day out but without this explanation and breakdown you don't really understand the purpose of each move. I will admit that now you have mentioned all these faults I am probably guilty of all of them. Going to get myself down to the range this afternoon and really have a good think about it all and not just hit some balls but really get this whole process dialled in. Thank you

[@daveweedall4505]

Great lesson Chris. My big mistake was coming in from the side wich a friend pointed out. I now have a better setup wich has improved my alignment and striking. Love your channel 👍👏👏

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Dave and glad you enjoy the channel

[@joer8273]

What an excellent point about the magnified problem of what is perceived to be a small foot alignment adjustment.

[@Permitmon]

Excellent video on a critically important topic. Well done, Chris.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Ewing

[@oryb1]

Chris like your humor at the start of this video. I already followed most of your tips but always learn something from each of your video’s. I am sharing this video with my wife to reinforce what I have been sharing with her on alignment. All the best.

[@danglennon8714]

Thank you Chris. This was a game changer for me. Was slightly pulling everything incl putts. Feet we're aligned but didn't realise hips and then shoulders were open. Huge improvement last night. Thank you.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Great to hear Dan, glad this could help

[@rtfcomputing4614]

I implemented the "open to the ball" walk-in technique in a tournament today after watching last night. Made a huge difference in alignment and setup. Will continue to integrate this action.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Fantastic!! Really glad it could help

[@petermarshall9492]

Thanks Chris, the best video I've seen about alignment. Very useful, can't wait to try it.

[@jayfrancis3]

Great instruction again, the shoulder alignment used to be my main problem. Now, thanks to your lessons, I align myself much better and consequently strike the ball towards the target. Thanks for another great lesson. Cheers.

[@JSW2610]

Thanks Chris, really struggle with my aim... always get told after the shot goes OOB... " that's where you were aiming ". Great video

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Joe

[@McV1llaiN]

From one chris to another thank you! As a taller golfer your videos have helped me immensely!

[@petez2422]

Great tips Chris, especially the one about head tilt. Alignment (especially with a driver) has always been an issue for me but I've just tried this down the range and it worked like magic - so obvious now you've explained it...... fingers crossed on the course tomorrow!

[@martindavies8909]

Great lesson with lots of great advice I will try to include going forward. I often feel a little cheated when I get up to the green to find my ball is pin high but quite a distance left or right, as if only I aligned myself better I would be much closer. So deserves a lot more focus than it typically gets.

[@jamestailyour7348]

Love the intermediate target. Sounds brilliant idea.

[@bargo913]

I am a 6 handicap and I very rarely agree with an entire video, but everything you said is right in point.

[@TerrySchaffers]

Thank you very much for these 5 tips. They were very very helpful in making me better golfer.

[@jerryt.1656]

I have struggled with alignment for years in my golf game (aiming too far to the right). Chris this video seems to be the clearest explanation of why that happens and how to correct it. I can't wait to take these suggestions to the course.

[@whiterhino31]

Thank you so much for this video!! I always enjoy the tips you provide and my alignment is something that I do need to work on. I found myself guilty of making mistakes on 2 or 3 of the suggestions you offered, now I understand how to correct it and will work on improving things. Keep up the great work!!

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Love it! Thanks and glad the vidoe helped , can take a little practice but does really help

[@jamesclinton7712]

Trying to work on my alignment. Not easy!! This video is a big help. Thanks.

[@MrStones2010]

Nr. 5 is me to 100% :D. So often I move to the ball and have a bad feeling which I couldn't describe so far. I know there was a mismatch. The golf shots were horrible like my feeling said. Now I know what to do. Thank you Chris!

[@BassFishingNEB]

Great tips, I approach the ball from the side and my alignment is way off a lot of times. Gonna try tip number 1 and walk to the ball from behind it

[@j1166240]

Great video Chris! I really enjoy your delivery and instruction. Loved the intro, great editing!!!

[@14k35950]

Thanks for the lesson Chris. I can see myself in your don'ts and this is the first time I've really considered the steps to proper alignment. Keep up the great video's.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Geoff appreciate it and glad it helped

[@caz8512]

Hi Chris, many thanks for this video. I'm a relatively new golfer and your teaching is so clear and precise. I'm going to put this into action tomo and see how it goes. Happy to support your channel 👍

[@mbkhan1046]

great video and great presentation. I am sure if I just follow the first two suggestions I will fair better at the golf course. thanks Chris!!!

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

I agree, get the first two correct and you should be pretty close to ideal

[@jerryanderson5112]

Great Video Chris, I ran into this exact issue on a 185 yard par 3, I used my 6 iron and hit it pure and had the correct distance flag height but off the green to the left. So clearly my alignment wasn’t correct or I would have been putting for birdie but I had a chip and run to at least have a chance at par

[@kendog5760]

Still one of the best video teachers online. Thanks Chris great tips and visual instructions. 👍

[@theprivateer5570]

Thank you so much! I thought I was going crazy not understanding what I was doing wrong

[@portyloon1750]

Superb video. Looks like I need to have a set up routine instead of just walking up and hitting the ball. The last point re shuffling around to correct alignment is exactly what I do. New routine for me from now on.👍😃

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Love it! Doesn’t have to take an age, but a good routine really helps

[@portyloon1750]

Well just had our Senior monthly medal, and shot a nett 67. What a difference the alignment tips have made, and that was the first time I'd

[@portyloon1750]

Tried the various routines .Thanks Chris.👍😃😃

[@stureronnquist5216]

Hello Chris! Very good instruktion very easy to understund😊

[@kyramanujam875]

Great video! After watching this hopefully my alignment will improve !

[@orestesmeeks5306]

Excellent video! Can’t wait to incorporate into my thinking. Well done!

[@peterdonnellan]

cheers for the video! I am a casual golfer and have been for 10 plus years, but I want to play a bit more now and drop handicap significantly (currently 26). Would you recommend going for lessons to improve alignment and setup as a start, to improve mechanics/basics before looking at other aspects? thanks.

[@cbvelayuthan5804]

Chris - these are great instructions..Very useful..

[@careydunn8227]

This was extremely helpful and gives me step by step habit to help get the ball where I want it to go. Well done.

[@blairwagner6809]

Thanks for the great lesson Chris. I truly appreciate your ability to coach. I will take these lessons and apply them on the range / course. Keep up the great material. Your impact is making a difference on many players. I will definitely share your material. Cheers!

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Blair appreciate that

[@barneygermany530]

Wrong alignment(to closed), is the problem on my bad shots. Sometimes i know it, and hit it yet🙈 It's so crazy. Must look more for this. The neer point in front of the ball on the targetline, is a good reference. Will be work on it.👌

[@chrisi1920]

Good tips, definitely some ideas I need to put into practice. Thanks!

[@MinciHH]

Very good explanation. Thank you!

[@mh_golfer]

Great video, I really struggle with my alignment these are great tips.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Mike

[@sshinobu5901]

Great lesson. I walk in from behind, but I’ve been walking in closed.

[@golfnutnz9274]

Brilliant Chris, simply brilliant! Particularly the foot shuffle, that we all help friends to do. Great work, thank you.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

The foot shuffle is a killer, sometimes it can feel harder to step off and re set but so important to do so

[@golfnutnz9274]

Played today and kept this (and other lessons of yours) in mind and hit 77... very pleased! Just hope the HC doesn’t get hit too much! Thanks again!

[@joeleley4272]

Nice video, one of my biggest issues is hitting a nice shot down the wrong line so will try this at the weekend

[@davidwalters313]

Excellent points. Thanks Chris

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks David

[@LouisA.Lazarus]

Putting in my two cents...another great video, Chris. I'm now a bit too old to play but if there were TWO THINGS that would have helped me play better in my younger days they would have been this. (1) Aim at the flag and by that I mean TRY TO HIT THE CLOTH FLAG on top of the pole on a fly. Most amateurs come up short 95% of the time. Try to actually make your ball hit the waving flag on the green on a fly. Do this for one round as an experiment and watch how much better you play. (2) D-plane. Understanding what this is would have solved my biggest problem. On an iron shot, you have to aim your body a bit to the left because you're hitting the ball before the bottom of the swing and that means the face of the iron is pointing a bit right of the target line. My best shots as a youth went right because the face of the club was open at impact because I hit the ball before the bottom of the swing. On a drive, you would aim your body a bit right because impact occurs after the face of the driver passes the bottom and is starting to close or point left which results in a fantastic drive that goes left of where you're aiming. Understanding the D-plane and what is going on a foot before and after impact would have made me a scratch golfer instead of a six.

[@geoffpyke1]

Loved the sigh from mirror man in the intro ,so understatedly funny

[@legoed83998]

Glad I watched this video Chris, you touched on a problem I've ha for years with point 5 when adjust my footing and I could never get my ball position correct. Could you go into a little more detail/do a vid on the ways you're ball position could be adjusted i.e. width of stance, lie, alignment etc.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Phil and will look to shoot something along those lines s

[@alan9715]

Thanks Chris, great video. I use most of these, but will be trying them all tomorrow, especially the head rotation. I think I might be guilty. Keep them coming.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

The head rotation is so key Alan, definitely give that a go

[@alan9715]

@@ChrisRyanGolf Chris, thought I’d follow up from yesterday. Played in a scramble today with folks from my community and I know I was guilty of lifting my head to check alignment. Used the rotation method today and had great success. Thanks for the tip. Enjoy watching your instructional videos.

[@benjaminel-guapo8057]

My initial setup Is the exact same.Go behind the ball, find a aimspot, align the club then position my feet.Some tees/shots for some reason throws me of a bit tho. Hate when I hit a bad shot when it doesnt feel right, and I dont take the time to just reset. Instead I try to force the shot.Stepping back and reset is the big key for me. Hitting the ball straight consistantly is another story tho. Think alot of that can be helped by taking a little more time making sure I feel confident over the ball. Great vid as usual Chris. Hopefully I can use it to break some bad habits.

[@gregmitchell1937]

Mismatched alignment is my number one fault. Thanks for the help.

[@gswieso29]

You confirmed a lot of a recent lesson content which is great. I think you kind of undid the first five points by doing the last alignment check without making sure that the check is generated by just a head turn without a look over the shoulder.

[@lafayettehowell9330]

I've gained more confidence in my game because I have one less thing to think about. The outcome for me is hitting greens with greater consistency. Thanks Chris!

[@dianemoore5102]

No wonder! I’ve been a front foot (both feet!) shuffler and I’ve noticed the ball being in the wrong place but I just couldn’t understand why. I will step away from now on. Too many times I say I shouldn’t have moved my feet after bad shots! Step away from the ball and start again… is my new mantra!

[@roberttamurian4038]

Great stuff once again Chris! I’ve been guilty of 4 out of 5 for a long time and I didn’t realize how much it was affecting my swing. Our brains’ are so ingenious that they will automatically overcorrect poor alignment that produces the exact opposite objective. Meaning, when I was aiming too far closed and right of target, habitually that causes an over the top move to “push” the club out, steepens the angle of attack and results in a bunch of pull hooks or push slices with weak contact depending on if I allow the hands to fully release the club. Once I recognized this and started to fix my alignment per your tips, the club naturally shallows out and I am comfortably hitting the ball from the inside. It has opened up all the shots for me, draws and fades on demand. It was a relief to know it wasn’t my swing that was garbage but rather, my alignment was the culprit that can ruin even the best swing out there! Big thanks for all your content

[@cremefraiche9095]

Fascinating, I feel as though this applies to me. Time to get to work

[@JBJHonez]

I use the “intermediate target” tip for putting and it helps

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Yeah can help for all types of shots, I’d be lost without it

[@neillhobson4584]

Brilliant video for every level of golfer. Thank you 🙏

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Neill

[@Gnew111]

Have watched this a few times now and using on the course with every shot already. Especially with driver confidence and aim improved dramatically. Now if I hit a bomb to the right I know it wasn’t my aim which is helping me identify some other issues. Off a hitting mat or range it’s easy to align but T boxes and chip shots are not always square to your position this helps a ton. Just in case your looking for video ideas! One of my biggest issues now is over powering my swing from the top and relaxing enough muscle to allow the hands to naturally drop back instead of staying on the original plane or worse over the top. About 50% of my shots are great with straight aim but when I get to much muscle involved everything falls apart and my timing is off. Over powering also screws up my lag angle and causes a casting affect that reduces probability of a solid impact.

[@316rms]

Great explanations for alignment!

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Rick

[@a37chief]

Great video mate, professional editing and a really good explanation on alignment. Keep up the good work, greetings from Texas USA.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks appreciate that

[@TeddyCavachon]

Chris: Excellent tips. One not mentioned I learned by emulating the swing of an amazing trick shot artist Harry Frankenburg (aka Count Yogi) is to take a practice swing with side bend and stop at the point the in the finish where the club momentum in the actual swing pulls the right arm straight and horizontal. At that point the club shaft should be angled outward from hands still very near the target line with toe up. The toe of the club quite literally becomes like the front side of a rifle pointing to were the ball lands. Try it by swinging to horizontal, looking over the toe, hitting a ball then seeing where it actually lands relative to were the “sight over the toe” indicated it would. With a bit of trial and error you will learn to adjust the pre-shot aiming practice swing to were the ball actually lands. Once you know that you can approach the ball from the side, do the aiming swing, adjusting both feet like aiming the turret of a tank until the toe points to where you want the ball to land. The caveat is you need to have good swing mechanics with proper side bend for it to work. Something few amateurs consider when aligning face at address is the fact the face angle changes in the time between striking the ball, compressing it, then releasing it. Compression and release dwell time and angle vary but the ball will always release off the face to the left of where the face is pointing at impact which is why the those who know about that cause and effect anticipate it by addressing the ball behind with and open face and aim inside of center > + on the ball with the face.

[@TeddyCavachon]

A huge contributor to confusion over how to align I see it beginners is CONCEPTUAL. They think to hit a straight shot you must bring the club head as straight as possible like landing a plane on a runway and smack the back of the ball “dead” center on ball relative to target line + Those beginners also have no clue about side bend and why that is so critical for good ball striking. When I show them how to side bend their path always becomes shallower and more correctly inside-square due to maintaining bend in the right arm keeping hands from being pulled out by club force. I let them address the ball as they had, aiming to strike the back of ball dead center + with square to target face and their shots always start to hook to the left, especially if coming up early to see where ball goes. That’s when I introduce them to the concept of needing to have face open a bit as it strikes the ball, and needing to aim inside of center >+ because with the side bend and more inside path the face closes more turning the time it takes to compress and rebound, enough to put hook spin in the ball. When starting to hook the logical thing would appear to be open just open the face but that will start putting slice spin on the ball unless the aim point where the opened face picks up the ball is moved more inside. This baffles most beginners until I created a curved “entrance ramp” at an angle to the target line and show them in slow motion how a swing with ideal side bend brings the club head into the ball from the inside like that with wrist action twisting the face from open to closed at the same time. I turn the alignment line on the range ball from straight at the target | to the same angle as the “gate” created with the tees / and show them holding ball on face how the face carries it and releases it. I have them make actual swings through that angled gate of tees until their conscious brain accepts the new concepts of: 1) side bend, 2) aim inside of center of ball, 3) strike ball with face open to target anticipating dwell time / angle and release of ball further to left that where face was aiming when struck.

[@hlubmos2chah945]

Well detailed drill! Very crucial. Thanks.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks appreciate that

[@richardpalmer7586]

Hi Chris. I just found this film clip and it makes sense what you say and describe. My problem is that I sometimes draw the ball. Sometimes is the problem. I feel I have to aim right, and sometimes the ball draws in beautifully. But sometimes it doesn’t draw and I’m left way right of the green or where I’m aiming. I’d much rather hit the ball straight and be more consistent. I think I need a lesson, guessing I’m using my hands too much? I’m a 10 handicap. Sometimes when I line up straight I gradually crab my feet closed again, it just doesn’t feel right. My golf mates are amazed at how closed I stand at address. Do you have any suggestions?

[@robertjackson2125]

Great video going to try the intermediate target next round.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Robert, I certainly think it will help

[@harryyoung7163]

Great video. 👍🏻 thanks for the help.

[@firstpestcontrol276]

Excellent video Chris, thank you.

[@USMC262JIM]

Great tips to help hit more greens.

[@boxerdogsam]

Will be trying this cheers guys,👍

[@charlestufano2322]

Great lesson. I know I make some of these mistakes in my alignment. Sometimes the need to maintain pace of play causes these problems. Maybe a lesson on maintaining pace of play would be useful.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Yeah I agree Charles, I think we often get over the ball and not feel comfortable but go ahead anyway so as not too take too long, finding the balance I think is key

[@jalinea78]

So useful. Thanks. I am always told that I am aiming right of the target and I was searching a way to detect it and change it. I have a question related to the practice swing. How / when are you doing it? Before standing behind the golf ball to define an intermediate target point or later on?

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks for watching, yes I select the shot and target that I want, then go into my practice swings and once they are done I stand directly behind my ball and select my intermediate target and go from there

[@jalinea78]

@@ChrisRyanGolf Thanks Chris. Crystal clear. I have just discovered your channel a week ago, a few videos after I feel like I am starting to understand better what to do and more importantly why to do it. It is so easy to forget what to do when you don’t understand why.

[@ianess3829]

Great video Chris. Watched it on Friday and shot 41 points on Saturday in a club competition! The handicap committee have their scissors ready.....

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Wow! Love that, great work

[@MikeM-rh7yq]

Loved this one. Thanks Chris.

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

Thanks Mike

[@Scottiej101]

Great tips I see you address/align with club in right hand dies it make a difference?

[@MavHntr]

great fix for my #5 set up fault, thank you!

[@ronniemcdowall9464]

Oh man, just had a "duh" moment watching this! I'm a lefty who plays right handed. I always set up using my left, lead foot with the club in my left hand. No wonder they go right so often! Many thanks CRG!

[@kevinkirk8672]

Chris The tip on driving, where you place the club behind the ball near the back foot causes me to sky the ball and off the toe, with everything else the same. Any suggestions ? Great videos.

[@WolfWi-x1i]

Great video as always 👍

[@HBTFDawgs]

I needed this video. #5 is a killer to me. It’s so hard to back away from the shot though 😂

[@frederickstevenson1196]

Chris, I just watched this and these are amazing tips! Thanks! I was wondering if you'd do a video on tempo. I know everyone's tempo in their swing is different but is there a way to coach it? Thanks again!

[@ChrisRyanGolf]

I have in the past…. But a long time again now, it’s actually on my list of videos to film

[@frederickstevenson1196]

@@ChrisRyanGolf great! I'll be on the lookout for it! Thanks!

[@colinmorgan1025]

Can’t wait to see one on putting alingment as when set up it looks way left as a feel

[@russellbell6484]

Thanks for the tips.

[@harryrussell6801]

I needed this video ✌🏼

[@jeffreycolson7595]

I either top or chunk the shot at least 25% of my shots. I have tried to listen to numerous videos (not just yours) and it only left me with even more swing thoughts. I've only played a few years but I'm getting to the point of giving up.

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

great advise thankyou .

[@davidng5137]

Chris, I like the video but it does not address the alignment with player is on a up/down hill or side hill. Do you have video to cover the alignment on uneven ground? Thanks.