How-To Use Guide
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If you'd like to be more consistent, the first place to look is your aim. Most golfers don't aim where they think they are aiming and that can cause the ball to push, pull, and curve unknown directions. If you don't know where you're aimed, it will be very difficult to be consistent. If you're having trouble curving the ball to the right, try aiming more right. If you're having trouble curving the ball to the left, aim more left. The ball tends to curve the opposite direction of the direction you are aiming due to the change in relative club path.
Stance width is also important. If the ball is not on a tee, it's best to have your feet either shoulder width or hip width apart. The narrower your stance, the easier it is to turn and rotate. The better you can turn the more stable the club face tends to be delivered to the ball. It also tends to make it easier to strike the ball consistently. The wider your stance, the more stability you will have in your swing. The extra stability is why wider stances should be used on the longest clubs in your bag, like your driver.
A consistent ball position is vital to striking the ball first, starting the ball online, distance, stopping power, and curving the ball predictably. The further back in your stance the ball is, the more you will tend to draw the ball, push it, hit down on the ball, spin it more, and hit it shorter. The more forward the ball position, the more you will tend to pull the ball, fade it, hit up on it, spin it less, and hit it farther. It's best to play your shortest clubs in the middle to back of your stance while longer clubs like the driver should have a ball position equal to that of the middle of you lead foot.
Distance from the ball is vital to creating a consistent posture, weight distribution, and ball strike across the face. With the proper distance from the ball, your arms should hang straight down from your shoulders and your weight should be more on your toes. Your hip joint should be directly over your ankles.
There are a multitude of things you can do to increase your distance.
To start, make sure you are aiming properly. If you are aimed properly, not only will you hit it straighter but the ball will also curve less and spend more time in the air. All of that adds up to more distance.
Check your ball position. If you're hitting a driver or a longer club, a forward ball position off of the middle of your lead foot will lead to less spin and more distance.
Your stance width should be shoulder width apart for the best combination of stability and the ability to turn and rotate.
A ball with draw spin goes further than a fade so make sure your club path and swing plane help you swing more in-to-out.
The longer your swing and the more rotation you generate the more potential you have for speed. To increase your distance, make sure your backswing shoulder turn gets to at least 90 degrees and you turn through on the follow through as far as you can go.
The quickest way to hit it straighter is to check your aim, stance width, distance from the ball, and ball position.
Aligning and aiming your feet, club, hips, and shoulders at the target is a must for a straight shot. Most players have much more variation in their aim than they think, even tour players, so make sure that you check your aim and recalibrate consistently.
Your stance width and ball position go hand in hand. A wider stance allows for more comfortable variation in the ball position. A ball position that is either far forward or far back can cause additional curve. A stance that is too wide restricts your body turn and forces you to use your hands more, which leads to more curve.
The distance from the ball is imperative to creating a good starting posture, where the weight is on your toes and your hips are over your ankles. From a good set up position you can turn more freely allowing you to take your hands and curve of your hit.
Chunking it, hit it fat, or hitting the ground first can come from a multitude of things, however your stance width, ball position, and lateral sway are the best places to get started.
Typically people that chunk it have a stance that it too wide. Make sure that your stance is between shoulder and hip width apart.
A ball position that is too far forward makes it difficult to get the lowest point of your swing arc in front of the ball. To get the ball first more easily, move the ball back in your stance.
Typically, players that move laterally or sway off of the ball, a large amount, will tend to hit it fat. To improve your ball striking make sure that your weight stays evenly distributed between your left and right foot during your backswing.
Players that tend to thin, skull, or top the ball should check their stance width, ball position, and lateral sway.
Players that thin the ball typically have the same issues as one that tends to chunk it. Your body often overcompensates and that leads to the thin.
To start, make sure your stance width is shoulder or hip width apart. A wider stance will tend to cause more problems.
Make sure that your ball position is neutral or in the middle of your stance. If you're topping it with your driver a ball position off of the inside of your lead foot is best.
As you swing, to ensure proper contact make sure that you minimize your lateral sway away from the target. A turn where your weight stays fairly evenly distributed in the backswing, is best.
To put a draw curve on the ball make sure that your aim, ball position, swing plane, and club path are all helping you swing in-to-out.
To draw the ball, a right handed player will want to aim right of their target and keep the club face pointed at the target.
A ball position that is further back will also help hit the ball with more of a draw and in-to-out club path.
Check your club path and swing plane. A swing that is shallow or flat will help the ball draw. The club coming in from behind you and hitting the inside of the ball will also help create a draw.
If your focusing on creating more of a fade, your aim, ball position, swing plane, and club path are your most direct routes.
For a right handed golfer the more you aim left the more the ball should curve to the right.
Additionally, a more forward ball position will also help fade the ball more.
If you want the ball to fade, you'll want your swing plane to be steeper and your club path to be more out-to-in.
If you're having trouble with the shanks, the first place in the set up to look is your distance from the ball and your posture. You want your weight to start in your toes with your hips over your ankles and hands hanging down out past your toes. Most often, players that are shanking it start with their weight too much on the heels at the start causing them to move towards their toes, and the ball, during the swing.
In the swing, one of the best things you can do to stop the shanks is get your club path in-to-out and your swing plane shallow. Start with a swing where the club only gets to hip high and focus on hitting the inside of the ball.
The best place to start to hit the ball lower will be your stance width and ball position.
A shoulder width stance and a ball position a few inches from your back foot will send the ball lower.
A swing plane that is shallower and creates more of a draw will naturally hit the ball lower, as well.
To hit the ball higher stance width, ball position, and swing plane is where you'll want to start.
A stance slightly wider than shoulder width and a ball position that is more towards the front foot will send the ball higher. Be careful however, as you can easily over do it and hit the ball thin which would send the ball lower than normal.
A steeper swing plane and club path that is out to in will also make the ball start higher and spin the ball more. Be careful however as this also tends to put a fade or slice on the ball.
One of the best things you can do to improve your distance control is to have a consistent tempo. A putter that moves backwards and forwards at the same speed is a great place to start. A putter that moves backwards and forwards the same length is also key to a consistent tempo and speed control.
A huge key to consistent putting direction and hitting your line is your aim. Make sure that you have your putter and feet parallel to one another and that you are aiming where you actually think you are aiming. Having consistent ball position and stance width is also crucial for consistent directional control.
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Do's & Don'ts
Don’t leave A-LINE outside as the plastic will deteriorate after long periods of UV exposure.
While the box does have a water resistant coating, A-LINE is best kept in a dry place.
A-LINE is not meant for “avoidance” drills as contact with the plastic or aluminum pieces could cause pieces to break and cause injury
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures will cause the aluminum to get hot. Be careful using it for prolonged periods on hot days
Parts & Pieces
Assembly
A-LINE was designed and is intended to be flexible and segmented, meaning that if you don’t need a certain piece(s), you don’t need to use them.
The directions below are for full assembly of A-LINE. Many of the configurations do not require full set up.
1. Take all the parts out of the box
2. Remove all the parts stored inside the Main Tubes
3. Connect the Main Tubes together using the Main Tube Connector
4. Partially screw the Secondary References and your chosen Telescopic Assembly into each Slider
5. Slide each Slider over the Main Tube and tighten the Secondary References or Telescopic Assemblies until they no longer move.
7. Screw together your Segmented Alignment Stick pieces
8. Press the assembled Alignment stick into the C-Channel on the Horizontal Swing Plane (HSP)
9. Attach the HSP to the end of your chosen Telescopic Assembly
Aim
Align the feet & club
To improve your overall aim, fully assemble A-LINE.
To set up square to your target, aim the Alignment stick at the target and make sure the Square Tube is parallel to it. You may have to adjust the HSP to to zero.
Adjust the positions and lengths of the Telescopic Assembly and the Secondary References as needed.
Make sure to record your positions so that you can recreate your practice set up each time!
Pro tip: With the proper set up your feet and golf club do not aim at the same thing; they run parallel to one another. If your target is close by, what works best is picking two targets, one for your club and one for your feet.
Align your feet
If you’re looking for a reference for the aim of your feet, all you need is the Main Tube and two Secondary References. Set everything up just how you like it and then aim the Main Tube at your target.
Make sure to record your positions so that you can recreate your practice set up each time!
Pro tip: Check to make sure that your hips and shoulders match your feet. Hold the alignment stick up against them and make sure they match the foot line.
Stance Width
Narrower for more speed and straighter flight
To train stance width, attach both Secondary References to the Main Tube.
Aim the Main Tube at the target and adjust the positions of the Secondary References to suit your desired stance width.
It’s recommended that you put your front foot outside the forward Secondary Reference and the back foot inside the back one. However, try it out and see what works best for you.
Remember your numbers so you can practice the same way later!
Pro tip: A wide stance is best for longer clubs like driver and should be just a little wider than shoulder width. Any time the ball is on the ground, a stance between shoulder and hip width is perfect.
Wider for more stability
Ball Position
To train ball position, set up A-LINE and slide the Telescopic Assembly back and forth to move your ball position forwards and backwards.
First, adjust the Secondary References and Telescopic Assembly length so they’re in a good spot for you. Then, adjust the chosen Telescopic Assembly, sliding it along the Main Tube, and lock it in where you want it!
Each time you hit a ball, simply place the ball 6-8 inches away of the HSP and you will have ball position mastered in no time!
For Drivers and Fairway woods, you may want the Telescopic Assembly in front of the forward Secondary Reference to move the ball position forward. With most other clubs, however, it will be in between the two Secondary References.
Remember to record your positions so you can recreate your practice set up each time!
Pro tip: Ball position has a great effect on height, low point of your swing arc, distance, and curve of the ball as well. The further back in your stance, the lower the ball will fly but with more spin and less distance. Further back in your stance tends to help the ball draw, as well. A ball position forward is good for less spin, more height, and more fade.
Forward for longer clubs, higher shots, and more fade
Back for shorter clubs, lower shots, and more draw
Distance From the Ball
Further from the ball for longer clubs, a more bent posture, and a more vertical swing plane
To train the distance you are from the ball, set up A-LINE and adjust the length of your chosen Telescopic Assembly in and out.
First, adjust the Secondary References and Telescopic Assembly position on the Main Tube so they’re in a good spot for you. Then, adjust the chosen Telescopic Assemblies length by sliding the pieces in and out using each locking mechanisms. Extend the larger tube first. The numbered references increase as you pull each successive piece out further.
Each A-LINE comes with two Telescopic Assemblies, one long and one short. The Short Telescopic Assembly is meant for putting, chipping, and short irons while the Long Telescopic Assembly is meant for middle irons to the driver.
Each time you hit a ball, simply place it 6-8 inches away from the HSP to give yourself enough room to swing.
Remember to record your positions so you can recreate your practice set up each time!
Pro tip: At the beginning of the swing, you want your weight on the front of your arches. Your hip socket should be over your ankle and your arms should be relaxed and hanging down past your toes. All of this allows your weight to shift naturally and allows you to fix common problems like loss of posture and limited body turn.
Closer to the ball for shorter clubs, a taller posture, and a flatter swing plane
Draw and Fade - Swing Plane
Hit a draw
To train a for a draw, rotate the Horizontal Swing Plane (HSP) so that the front end of the Alignment stick moves away from you. Clockwise for right-handed players and counter-clockwise for left-handed.
To train for a draw or fade preference in your ball flight set up A-LINE, as shown below. Aim the Main Tube at the target and then point the Alignment stick in the opposite direction of the way you want the ball to curve.
First, set up all of the adjustable pieces in a spot that works for you. Now rotate the Horizontal Swing Plane (HSP) in whichever direction you need.
On each shot place the ball in front of the HSP. Make sure you give yourself enough room to swing without striking the Alignment stick. 8-12 inches is recommend with more being necessary with larger adjustments to the HSP.
Make sure you record your positions so that you can recreate your practice set up for next time and groove in your swing!
Hit a fade
To train for a fade, rotate the HSP so that the front end of the Alignment stick moves towards from you. Counter-clockwise for right-handed players and clockwise for left-handed.
Pro tip: A draw will spin the ball less, travel farther and roll more. A fade will spin more, fly higher, and stop faster. Most of the time, unless your are training to correct and over curve of your shot, a straight ball flight is best.
Club path
Stop coming over the top, hit a draw, and drop the club into the slot
If you set up A-LINE as pictured below, you’ll flatten out your swing plane, come more from the inside, create more rotation in your backswing, and be much more likely to hit a draw.
To set it up, simply use the Main Tube, one of the Telescopic Assemblies, the HSP, and a portion of the Segmented Alignment stick, as pictured below.
Aim the Main Tube at the target, attach the Telescopic Assembly towards the back of the Main Tube and angle the Alignment Stick so it points behind you.
When you swing simply try to trace the club over the Alignment Stick during your backswing, matching your club shaft position with the position of the Alignment Stick.
The longer you make the Telescopic Assembly and the more you angle the Alignment Stick, the flatter and deeper you will take the club. The flatter and deeper, the more you should draw the ball. For a more neutral takeaway, simply shorten the Telescopic Assembly and point the Alignment Stick so it is more parallel to the Main Tube.
Make sure you record your positions so that you can recreate your practice set up for next time and groove in your swing
Pro tip: When trying to cover the Alignment stick with your club, make sure your arms are straight. If you turn back in your backswing with shoulder turn instead of elbow bend everything will run more consistently.
Stop hooking the ball, swing with less effort, and hit the power fade
If you set up A-LINE as pictured below, you’ll turn more on the downswing, get your club path moving more out-to-in, start the ball less right, and be more likely to hit a fade.
To set it up, simply use the Main Tube, one of the Telescopic Assemblies, the HSP, and a portion of the Segmented Alignment stick, as pictured below.
Aim the Main Tube at the target, attach the Telescopic Assembly towards the front of the Main Tube, and angle the Alignment Stick so it points to the left of the target.
When you swing, simply try to trace the club over the Alignment Stick in your follow through.
The longer you make the Telescopic Assembly and the more you angle the Alignment Stick, the more turn you will force and the lower your exit swing plane will be. The lower your follow through swing plane is the more left the ball should start and the more it should fade.
Make sure you record your positions so that you can recreate your practice set up for next time and groove in your swing!
Pro tip: When trying to cover the Alignment stick with your club, make sure your arms are straight. This will force you to cover the alignment stick using more body turn than bend of your elbows and wrists. This will maintain a better impact position and you’ll hit the ball farther.
Lateral Weight distribution and sway
Better weight transfer, straighter shots, more speed, and more power
Train with A-LINE to improve your weight distribution and lateral sway
With a better starting weight distribution, it is easier to transfer your weight properly and get through the ball.
You can also set up A-LINE so that you have a reference goal for lateral weight shift and sway in the backswing and downswing.
The better control you have over your lateral movement, the more consistently you will strike the ball, the straighter your shots will be, and the faster you’ll be able to swing.
For a lateral sway reference you can use during your swing, aim the Main Tube at the target and put your heels on the Main Tube. Place one of the Secondary References towards the back of the Main Tube and point it away from you. This will provide stability to the set up. Attach a Telescopic Assembly in a vertical position and place it just outside of your front foot. Make sure the vertical piece is low enough to the ground so that you will not hit it during your swing. In the swing, use the vertical piece as a guide for where you want to shift your weight towards and finish at the conclusion of your swing.
Make sure you record your positions so that you can recreate your practice set up for next time and groove in your swing!
Hip and Shoulder Rotation
Have better distance control, control the length of your swing, and hit your shots with more accuracy.
Train with A-LINE to improve your hip and shoulder rotation.
With a better understanding of how much you are rotating your body, you’ll be able to control the length of your swing, have better distance control, and be able to use your body more effectively when swinging the club. All that adds up to more control, straighter shots, and more efficient power.
To set up, use the Main Tube and attach the Telescopic Assembly, HSP, and Alignment Stick. With your toes against the Main Tube, place the the Telescopic Assembly towards the middle or back of your stance and point the Alignment Stick behind you. In the swing, use the Alignment Stick as a goal or reference for how far you should be rotating your hips or your shoulders and try and match the rotation of your body with the position of the Alignment Stick.
Make sure you record your positions so that you can recreate your practice set up for next time and groove in your swing!
Pro tip: The more you use your body to turn and the less you rely upon your hands and elbows in the backswing, the more consistent you tend to strike the ball. Players with straighter arms in the backswing also tend to slice the ball less and hit it with more power.
With a better understanding of how much you are rotating your body, you’ll be able to control the length of your swing, have better distance control, and be able to use your body more effectively when swinging the club. All that adds up to more control, straighter shots, and more efficient power.
To set up, use the Main Tube and attach the Telescopic Assembly, HSP, and Alignment Stick. With your toes against the Main Tube, place the the Telescopic Assembly towards the front of your stance and point the Alignment Stick the the left of the target. In the swing, use the Alignment Stick as a goal or reference for how far you should be rotating your hips or your shoulders and try and match the rotation of your body with the Alignment Stick.
Make sure you record your positions so that you can recreate your practice set up for next time and groove in your swing
Pro tip: The more turn and rotation you finish with the better off your tend to be. Straight arms and lots of body turn post impact is a very good position to be in if you want to hit the ball solid and lower.
Putting Stroke Length and Tempo
Create better distance and speed control
A-LINE isn’t just for the full swing; it can work wonders for your putting too!
Set up A-LINE’s Main Tube and Secondary References, as you see below, and you’ll have the perfect set up for a putting stroke length and temp training tool.
Simply, place the ball in the middle of the Main Tube, in line with the Main Tube Connector, and when you putt swing the putter between the two Secondary References, moving the putter backwards and forwards the same length and at the same speed.
To change the distance of the putt, just move the Secondary References an equal amount towards or away from the Main Tube Connector in the middle.
Make sure you record your positions so that you can recreate your practice set up for next time and groove in your swing!
Putting Set Up
Know where you are and you'll know where it's going
A-LINE isn’t just for the full swing; it can work wonders for your putting too!
Set up A-LINE just like you would for the full swing and you can easily work on the width of your stance, how far you are from the ball, where the ball position is, the path of your putter, and most importantly your aim.
With a great set up comes more made putts. Once you’ve built that solid foundation, you’ll have full awareness of where you’re aiming and where the balls going to go, as well.
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