I Wasn’t Bad – My Clubface Was Just Pointing the Wrong Way
Settle in. Let’s talk golf.
When I first got my clubs, I had to learn a whole new vocabulary.
Open face.
Closed face.
Slice.
Hook.
Maybe those words are new to you too.
So here’s the simple version.
Open vs Closed
An open clubface points to the right of your target (for a right-handed golfer).
That often leads to a slice.
A closed clubface points to the left of your target.
That often leads to a hook.
And a square clubface?
That points directly at your target at impact.
Simple in theory.
Harder in practice.
My Slice Problem
Early on, I sliced constantly.
Not a little fade.
A full “FORE!” into the next fairway.
I eventually learned something important:
The clubface controls the starting direction of the ball.
More than anything else in the swing.
If the face is open at impact, the ball starts right.
If it’s closed, it starts left.
So instead of trying to swing harder…
I made a small change.
I focused on squaring the face.
Just slightly more closed than I thought.
Small adjustment.
Big impact.
Alignment at Address
With my irons, I learned to:
•Set the clubface square to the target first
•Make sure the sole sits flat on the ground
•Then build my stance around that
With my driver, there’s actually a small alignment mark on the crown.
That mark helps you line up the center of the clubface.
Once I started using it intentionally?
Contact improved.
Direction improved.
Confidence improved.
Why This Matters
If your clubface isn’t square at impact, nothing else really matters.
You can have:
• Perfect grip
• Perfect tempo
• Perfect posture
But if the face is open or closed at impact…
The ball is going somewhere else.
Face angle at impact is the biggest influencer of where the ball starts.
That was a game changer for me.
The Future Green Jacket Plan
Now let’s be clear.
One day, when I’m walking up 18 at Augusta in my future green jacket…
I’ll intentionally open or close the face.
Pros use face angle to:
• Hit controlled fades
• Hit controlled draws
• Shape shots around trees
• Avoid bunkers
That’s advanced stuff.
Right now?
I just want straight.
Square is enough.
Try This
Before your next shot:
Set the clubface first.
Aim it at your target.
Then build your stance.
Not the other way around.
Face first.
Body second.
Small change.
Big impact.
The Next Shot
Your next shot doesn’t have to be perfect – just intentional.
Square the face. Then swing.
Are you fighting a slice or a hook right now?
Be honest.
Drop it in the Clubhouse – and tell me which side of the fairway you’re visiting most.
Real Talk. Play Better.
Effort builds results.
