So Right, I'm Wrong...
 

...at the range, I have no prob setting up. I lay a dowel at my feet, put the club down, take my grip and from there hit everything from crisp wedges to solid 3i's.

But if I ditch the dowel, and try to aim 30 degrees right or left - like to the 35 yd flag, I'm lost. I always aim right. Way right.

If you draw a line across my toes - its square to my shoulders.

But if you draw a line through the ball, instead of that line being parallel to the plane line - its open. If towards the target is 12 o'clock on a watch, the line through the ball points at 1 or 2 o'clock.

Weird, cuz like I say on the range with a dowel at my feet it doesn't matter how I get into my set up -- right foot first, club face first -- everything gets square.

But off the 'grid', look out...

Thanks for any suggestions!

Two images that will help... a very common issue, one that I fight too at times.

First, when you setup to the ball imagine a line through the ball that is perpendicular to the target line and stay behind that line as you look at the target/step into the shot, making the last part of the routine to step over the line with the left foot (this is an image from Ben Doyle's routine). Setting the clubface while you are standing behind the line helps keep you from aiming right, then you can use the clubface as the guide to match your shoulders.

Second - as you look at the target before the shot, let your head pivot on your neck and 'look through a window' at the target - an image from the late Davis Love Jr. A lot of times people will lift up out of posture/turn the shoulders to look at the target, which just gets you out of alignment.

Ed, I've appreciated your contributions to Lynn's site, TGM and golf for a long time, glad to be on the receiving end of one!

Two really helpful images, thank you.

Question:

-do I then pull the left foot back to the target line?

I've never heard that before, and already know it'll help and I'll never forget it.

Thanks again,

Dana

A new way of doing something
 

Try this. 1.Starting from behind the ball and in line with where approximately you want your feet to be at address 2. Walk forward keeping your eyes on the target or an intermediate target 3. While looking at the target set your feet 4. Without taking your eyes off the target allow your body to settle in 5. Now look at the ball and adjust for ball position and reach without changing your alignment.
This works amazingly well provided you do not look at the ball in the process, until you are settled (trust me you will not walk past the ball). I have had countless students do this and they are spot on to where they need to be.

007~

Thanks for this, I really appreciate it.

And will try tomorrow, feel a range visit coming up.

Here's to stirred, not shaken.