Stop Missing Your Target and Start Using This Easy Driving Range Drill

There aren’t many feelings in golf worse than making great contact, watching the ball take off exactly as you envisioned — and then seeing it land nowhere near your target.

Unfortunately, that’s the reality for plenty of amateur and beginner golfers — myself included!

We often spend so much time worrying about swing mechanics, that aim and alignment often become an afterthought. But if your feet, clubface, and target line aren’t working together, you can make your best swing of the day and still end up searching for your ball somewhere in the rough.

That’s where top-ranked golf teacher Brech Spradley comes in.

In the Golf Starter Club video below, Spradley works with golf influencer Cailyn Henderson on a simple driving range drill that’s designed to sharpen every golfer’s aim and alignment. By correcting her setup and dialing in her aim and alignment, Henderson can practice on narrowing her miss — which is always a good thing.

So take a look below at the drill and give it a try for yourself — because this easy alignment-stick drill will have you hitting better results in no time.

Try This Aim & Alignment Drill During Golf Practice

As Spradley explains in the video, aiming too far right is one of the most common setup mistakes among right-handed golfers — and it can wreck a shot before ever swinging the golf club.

To help Henderson correct it, Spradley uses an alignment stick — which establishes the target line — allowing her to build a stance that runs parallel to it, checking whether both feet are the proper distance away.

At first, the new setup looks and feels weird to Henderson.

She mentions feeling aimed too far right, but that’s because, like most golfers, she’s used to looking over her shoulder toward it — which is her natural instinct as a right-handed player. But that instinct can actually pull the body right, causing mishits if not aimed properly.

But remember, when swinging a golf club, you’re standing on the side of the golf ball — not directly on the target line. This can cause tons of issues when it comes to aim and alignment if you don’t make the right adjustments.

The alignment stick also addresses another issue in Henderson’s setup: Her trail foot tends to drop too far behind her, which creates a closed stance. But the stick provides a checkpoint for her to see the space between each foot, and for her to see if they’re square with the proper target.

Why does this matter? Golfers who aim right often pull the club across the ball in an attempt to steer it back towards the target. That creates an inconsistent swing path, leading to pulls, slices, and poor contact. In other words, you can build an over-the-top golf swing simply by aiming incorrectly.

But by using this alignment stick drill, you’ll get instant feedback, remove common swing flaws, and give yourself a much better chance of starting the ball on your intended line.

What’s Golf Starter Club?

Golf Starter Club’s a new, all-in-one golf instruction and community platform designed to help players improve — whether you’re a beginner golfer, average player, or even trying to play Division 1 golf somewhere.

Instead of sending golfers down an endless rabbit hole of conflicting swing tips — which too many amateur players do — Golf Starter Club provides trusted and organized learning paths built for beginners, juniors, bogey-golfers, and those looking to break 100.

Rather than stress about golf practice each week, members can learn on their own schedule alongside world-class golf teachers with practical drills, live sessions, swing discussions, and a growing library shaped by member feedback.

But what truly separates Golf Starter Club is its roster: Top-rated instructors — including GOLF Magazine Top 100 teachers, an LPGA Teacher of the Year, and elite coaches — alongside some of golf’s most recognizable creators and enthusiasts. By combining credible coaching with relatable personalities, GSC makes getting better simpler, more personal, and more fun.

Here’s how to choose your path on Golf Starter Club!

Ready to take the leap and join a community of golfers craving more beginner golf tips and structured golf instruction? SIGN UP for Golf Starter Club! And make sure to follow Nick Dimengo on Instagram and subscribe Rainmakers Golf on YouTube, too!

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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