Alignment Stick Shaft Lean Drill
Curated PGA Drill by HackMotion
Impact
3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps
Golf club, alignment stick (optional)
Intermediate
Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)
Forces the golfer to maintain the swing radius and shaft lean through impact. The physical feedback of the stick hitting the side prevents the 'flip' that causes fat shots.
How to Perform the Drill
Follow these step-by-step instructions. Rehearse slowly to build proper motor patterns before adding full swing speed.
- 1
Step 1
Place an alignment stick along the grip of the club, extending up your lead side.
- 2
Step 2
Hold both the stick and grip together.
- 3
Step 3
Make small practice swings focusing on keeping the stick AWAY from your lead side.
- 4
Step 4
To do this, increase lead wrist flexion (bowing) and push the handle forward.
- 5
Step 5
If you release early (cast), the stick will hit your side.
What Good Feels Like
Focus on smooth tempo and maintaining body connection through impact. Your body and club should move as a single synchronized unit.
Common Mistake to Avoid
Rushing transition before completing backswing or lunging upper body forward towards ball at impact. Keep movement controlled.
Swing Faults & Ball Flights Addressed
Comprehensive Guides Featuring This Drill
Stop casting by keeping your trail wrist bent and lead wrist flat as you start down, letting your hips and chest rotate first while your hands and the clubhead trail behind. Groove that feel with pump drills and constraint drills like the Box Drill, then check shaft lean at impact.
Fat shots happen when the low point of your swing bottoms out behind the ball instead of in front of it. The usual culprits are hanging back on your trail foot, casting the club early, or losing posture in the downswing. Shift your weight forward before impact and keep the shaft leaning toward the target at contact to move the low point where it belongs.
