Hovering Alignment Stick Drill
Curated PGA Drill by GolfPass
Path
3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps
Golf club, alignment stick (optional)
Intermediate
Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)
The stick acts as a physical ceiling or barrier. An over-the-top slice swing is steep and will hit the stick. To miss it, you are forced to shallow the club and attack from the inside.
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
Tee up a ball.
- 2
Step 2
Place an alignment stick in the ground on the far side of the ball (target line), angled so it hovers directly above the ball pointing at the target.
- 3
Step 3
Start with 40% speed swings.
- 4
Step 4
Swing beneath the stick (from the inside) without hitting it, while focusing on turning the toe over.
- 5
Step 5
Gradually increase speed to 60% and then 90% (playing speed).
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
A slice comes from an open clubface relative to an out-to-in swing path at impact. Fix it by neutralizing a weak grip, adding shoulder tilt at address, and shallowing your downswing so the club approaches from the inside instead of over the top: that squares the face to a path that no longer cuts across the ball.
Coming over the top happens when your shoulders spin open in transition before your arms drop the club into the slot, dragging it across the target line. Stop it by delaying the shoulder turn, letting your arms fall vertically first, and feeling the club approach from inside the ball-to-target line.
