Alignment Stick Takeaway — Golf Drill

The alignment stick takeaway drill has revolutionized how golfers approach one of the swing's most critical positions, and instructors like Cordie Walker GolfWell, JChownGolf, and George Gankas Golf have perfected techniques that deliver immediate results. Whether you're struggling with inconsistent ball-striking or wondering why you can't match tour players' iron distances, the takeaway is often the culprit. Cordie Walker's innovative approach of placing an alignment stick on the lead side of y

How to practise it

  1. Position the alignment stick against your lead leg Place the stick on the lead side of your club shaft, running it down your lead leg. Set up to a ball with normal posture.
  2. Practice slow takeaway motion keeping stick contact Take the club back slowly, maintaining the stick against your knee throughout the movement. Feel the club stay on plane.
  3. Check halfway back position At waist high, the club should point halfway between the ball line and your toe line. Reset if the stick loses contact with your leg.
  4. Add full backswing with stick feedback Continue to the top while keeping the stick against your leg. This prevents the club from getting too flat or inside.
  5. Hit balls with the alignment stick in place Make full swings with the stick providing constant feedback. Focus on maintaining the connection throughout the takeaway.
  6. Remove stick and replicate the feeling Hit balls without the stick, recreating the same takeaway path. The muscle memory should guide proper club positioning.

How do I use an alignment stick to fix my takeaway?

Place an alignment stick on the lead side of your club and run it down your lead leg, just off the knee. As Cordie Walker explains, as soon as the club comes off the knee during your takeaway, you'll know you're moving correctly and maintaining proper connection throughout the swing.

What are the key moves I'm missing to hit my driver farther?

According to JChownGolf, most golfers are missing two critical moves that prevent maximum distance with less effort. These moves not only add distance but also improve accuracy, allowing you to hit the driver both farther and straighter.

Why can't I turn through the ball like tour players do?

JChownGolf explains that your ability to turn through the ball has nothing to do with athleticism, age, or mobility. It's entirely about the positions you create in your golf swing - get the right positions and the turn becomes fluid and natural.

How each of them teaches it

Coaches who demonstrate the alignment stick takeaway drill, each linked at the second they start.

  1. AlexElliottGolf: This Is Why You Can't Take A Divot (Nobody Teaches This) (from 0:55). Grip an alignment stick alongside the club shaft extending past your lead side to prevent whipping the club inside and opening the face on the takeaway.
  2. JChownGolf: The REAL Reason Why Amateurs Can't Create Compression (from 4:01). An alignment stick is held against the left side during the takeaway to ensure a neutral club path and square face, preventing the club from whipping inside.
  3. Giles Gill Golf: 5 Driver SECRETS To Hit More Fairways & Add Distance! (from 5:03). Place an alignment stick against the lead side of the club and body to ensure a wide, one-piece takeaway without excessive wrist hinge or rolling.
  4. Cordie Walker GolfWell: This Easy Stick Trick Fixes Your Golf Swing Fast! feat. @kraftygolf_. An alignment stick is held against the lead side of the club shaft and tracked along the lead leg and knee to ensure a proper backswing plane.
  5. JChownGolf: Why 99% Of Amateur Golfers Can't Create Distance With Irons (from 2:01). Grip an alignment stick alongside the club so it extends up the lead side and touches the ribs. If the forearms roll and the club whips inside, the stick will disconnect from the body.
  6. JChownGolf: Why You'll Never Hit Driver As Far As You Should (You're Missing 2 Key Moves) (from 6:22). Place an alignment stick down the left side of the club so it touches your lead hip/thigh; slide it down the leg during the takeaway to ensure the hands move in and the club head stays outside.
  7. JChownGolf: Why Amateur Golfers Can't Turn Through The Ball (from 9:54). Placing an alignment stick against the lead arm and shaft to ensure the clubface stays square and the takeaway remains neutral.

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