If you've ever been to the driving range on the days before the start of a PGA tour event you'll see one common training aid in almost every pros bag. They're lying parallel on the ground, they're sticking out of the turf at a 45-degree angle, and they're even on the putting green.

You guessed it - Golf Alignment Sticks. They are one of the most effective training aids on the market. They're versatile, they're good value, they're lightweight and they take up almost no space in your golf bag. When used correctly they can help you develop a consistent, powerful swing, improve your accuracy and make sure you're striking it in the sweet spot.

But like any training aid if you're not using them correctly you can develop bad habits. if you've never used them before, they can be a little bit daunting. Here are some tips from the pros on how to get the most out of your alignment sticks.

Alignment

The first and most important thing you need to do with your alignment sticks is as the name says check your alignment. Place one stick behind the golf ball pointing towards your target. Or if you prefer you can place the stick a foot or two in front of the ball or even above the golf ball. Just make sure it's pointed toward your aiming point.

Place the second stick in front of your toes parallel to the first stick. Now with your feet, hips and shoulders aligned swing away.

Swing Plane

Set one of the alignment sticks behind you and into the ground at a 45-degree angle. Make sure the angle matches the angle of your golf shaft at address. The purpose of this drill is to groove an inside-to-out swing making sure your downswing passes underneath the alignment stick.

Putting Alignment

Now it's time to bring your alignment sticks to the green. They can be used in a variety of ways and are one of the best putting aids. You can use them similar to the way you used them on the range when you were checking your alignment. Place them parallel on the green pointing towards the hole with your golf ball in the middle. The width should be an inch to two wider than the length of your putter blade. This will help with your setup and swing path.

You can also place them in front of the ball forming a gate, and then stroke the ball through the gate. This will help you ensure that you're striking the ball online and help you develop a consistent stroke.

Putting Pace

Alignment sticks can also be used to help develop a consistent putting stroke by controlling the pace. Place a stick a couple of feet beyond the hole. Now, when you strike your put give it enough pace to get to the hole but leave it short of the stick.

Chipping

Alignment sticks can also be used when chipping. The key to solid chipping is a shallow downward strike of the golf ball. Place an alignment stick parallel to and just behind your back foot. With your feet together and the golf ball in the middle of your back foot try to strike the golf ball without hitting the alignment stick first.

If you really want to master your short game combine this drill with the best chipping net and get ready to start saving strokes off your scorecard.

Video Lesson

If you're like many golfers a good video lesson is the best way to improve your practice sessions and make sure you're using the golf alignment sticks the right way. Let's take a look at 5 simple drills you can do with golf alignment sticks that will turn you into a pure ball striker.

How to use golf alignment sticks with 5 awesome tips

As you can see, there are many different ways that golf alignment sticks can be used to improve your game. Whether you're using them to check your alignment, perfect your swing plane, or control your putting pace, these versatile training aids are sure to help improve your game. So next time you head to the driving range, make sure to bring along your new set of golf alignment sticks! See below if you want to start practicing like a Pro!