Best Golf Alignment Sticks 2024: These simple tools can elevate your golf game
Last updated:
The best golf alignment sticks are a surefire way to get your swing out of a sticky situation and pull your game back in line.
Jump To:
Alignment sticks are one of the best golf accessories you can carry in your bag, and despite being overlooked by many, are a fundamental training aid that will help your swing path stay true to your intended target.
Correct alignment will see your stance and club face pointing directly toward your target as you address the ball, and this doesn’t necessarily mean the middle of the fairway or the center of the green. Effective course management may require you to aim off-center, perhaps to play a draw or fade, account for the wind, avoid hazards, or even leave yourself an easier putt. Working on your alignment will undoubtedly improve your consistency and confidence to execute the percentage golf a Tour Pro would be proud of.
Best At A Glance
Best major golf-brand sticks: Callaway Golf Alignment Stix | Buy Now – US | Buy Now – UK
Best lightweight sticks: Rhino Valley Golf Alignment Sticks | Buy Now – US | Buy Now – UK
Best magnetic sticks: SisterAling Magnetic Golf Alignment Rods | Buy Now | Buy Now – UK
As with all the best golf training aids, such as putting mats and practice nets, simply owning them won’t turn you into Scottie Scheffler overnight, they are sticks not wands after all! However, being so lightweight, they will slot unnoticed into your bag, readily accessible during your warm-up to make sure your alignment is dialed in.
Another advantage of alignment sticks is their versatility. Aside from sorting out your alignment at address, they can be used to improve your swing plane by sticking them into the ground to promote the clubhead path that suits the shot you want to play, such as an out-to-in swing for a fade. They work wonders on the putting green too!
So, let’s crack on and take a look at the best alignment sticks available.
Best Golf Alignment Sticks 2024
Foldable, portable, and hard to lose
Best major golf-brand sticks
Rrp: $19.99
Rrp: $19.99
This set of two 48" shock-corded steel rods can be broken down into half the size for easy storage in your golf bag. The set comes with handy instructional images on how best to use the training aid.
Pros
- Folds down to half-size for easy storage and transport
- Pointed ends for staking into the ground
- Comes with instructional images
Cons
- Only available in yellow
| Number | Set of 2 |
| Material | Plastic (steel cord) |
| Color | Yellow |
| Length | 48" |
| Weight | 0.1kg |
Durable, tri-folding alignment sticks for all abilities
Best for staking
When fully extended the sticks are 48", collapsing right down to 17" which makes them super portable and ideal for carrying in your golf bag so you can grab a quick practice session anytime.
Pros
- Three-section collapsible
- Pointed ends to facilitate staking
- Durable fiberglass construction
Cons
- Rubber caps can come loose
| Number | Set of 3 |
| Material | Fiberglass |
| Color | Red, Blue, Orange |
| Length | 48" |
Lightweight and portable, coming in a choice of three colors
Best lightweight sticks
These sticks are super lightweight and can be connected quickly due to the elasticated rope inside the rods. The one pointed end makes staking simple, whereas the other end has a smooth rubberized cap to prevent you from stabbing your hand.
Pros
- Easy to stake into the ground
- Super lightweight
- Easy to connect with elasticated rope
Cons
- Not the most durable
| Number | Set of 2 |
| Material | Fiberglass |
| Color | Green, Blue, Red |
| Length | 48" |
The Swiss Army knife of alignment tools
Best for alignment
The uniqueness of this training aid is that the alignment rods are secured firmly in place, and can be adjusted to provide swing channels appropriate for your long game and approach play, ensuring your contact point remains square to the target. A third alignment rod can act as a visual cue for your backswing or follow-through.
The training aid is also particularly useful on the putting green with its golf ball-sized cutout providing a fun and motivating way to challenge your putting stroke.
Pros
- Novel design for all aspects of your game
- Highly adjustable
- Great for putting motivation
Cons
- Some may find overly-complicated
| Number | Set of 3 (plus target) |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | White |
| Length | 15" |
Collapsible and durable with a color-contrasting impact zone
Best for contrast
A useful feature of this model is the split colorway which when fully extended reveals a central white section with alignment markers that help your eyes focus as the clubhead enters the contact area.
Pros
- Durable fiberglass construction
- Spiked end for staking
- Collapsible for convenient storage
Cons
- Tips are not the most robust
| Number | Set of 2 |
| Material | Fiberglass |
| Color | Red & White |
| Length | 27" |
A high-quality magnetic rod to guide your swing angle and alignment
Best magnetic sticks
The magnet is powerful with 32lbs of pulling force, meaning you don't need to be concerned about the indicator falling off at faster swing speeds.
The shaft itself is high-quality and lightweight so not to interfere with the true feel of the shot when standing over the ball, and features a swing angle arrow indication to guide you to your target with the correct swing angle.
Pros
- Strong magnet
- Lightweight to maintain a real feel over the shot
- Very portable due to size
Cons
- Only compatible with metallic club faces
| Number | One |
| Material | Aluminium |
| Color | Black, Blue, Red |
| Length | 9.5" |
Connectable alignment sticks with an instructional booklet to get the most from them
Best value sticks
This excellent value set also includes two connecting units, enabling you to reinforce both target alignment and effective ball positioning at the same time by connecting the rods perpendicular to each other.
Pros
- Useful instructional booklet for drill ideas
- Easy to connect with the connecting units
- Lightweight with a choice of colors
Cons
- Not the most portable
| Number | Set of 2 |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | Yellow, White, Orange |
| Length | 111cm |
High-quality, versatile, and fully detachable alignment sticks
Most durable sticks
They are constructed from a high-quality aluminium alloy making them highly durable and come with a multi-purpose connector unit to make setting 90° and parallel lines a breeze.
Pros
- Durable aluminum construction
- Useful multi-purpose connector unit
- Fully detachable for easy transport and storage
Cons
- Not the longest at 34"
| Number | Set of 2 |
| Material | Aluminium + Plastic |
| Color | Blue, Red, Gold, Silver |
| Length | 34" |
Quality protection for your sticks when fully extended
Best sticks cover
Not only will it protect your sticks, but it will keep them from rubbing marks on other clubs too. This offering from Big Teeth is made from high-quality, durable, and waterproof leather. We also think it looks great, and hopefully carrying around a few four-leaf clovers will bring you some luck on the course too!
Pros
- Premium quality cover
- Eye-catching design
- Waterproof and durable
Cons
- May find it sliding off without multiple sticks
| Length | 14" |
| Material | Leather |
| Color | White, Black |
Best Golf Alignment Sticks: Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing sticks, the voice of authority is probably your dog. If yours is anything like mine, then they’ll be very particular and take into account the level of moisture, type of wood, and chewability. As we don’t recommend digesting golf alignment sticks, here are some alternative buying considerations.
Length
As with most things in life, there is a balance to be had here. When fully extended, alignment sticks are typically in the region of a meter in length which is ideal for the vast majority of drills you may wish to do, whether on the driving range or on the putting green.
Portability
Many of the sticks we have featured in this guide are collapsible into two or three sections. We think this is important, otherwise, your new rods will be more susceptible to snapping if poking out the top of your club dividers. Once folded down, you can slip your sticks neatly into your bag so they remain secure and ready to be pulled out for a quick practice session.
Staking
If you are looking to use your new sticks to dial in specific swing paths then being able to stake them securely into the ground is key. A flat-ended rod will make this more challenging than it needs to be and might require you to carry a mallet in your bag too which isn’t ideal.
Durability
A slightly wayward swing could lead to you having to replace your new sticks sooner than you’d hoped, as there is little room for error when trying to make small adjustments to your optimal swing path. For this reason, it’s important you consider how durable your new rods are and ensure they can withstand the odd collision or two.
Color
Perhaps an odd thing to mention, but visibility is pretty important when trying to self-analyze your technique. A brightly colored set of alignment sticks really pop against the grass, which should make it easier for you to track the path of your clubhead relative to your intended path of travel. For this reason, you will notice that many of the models featured in this guide come in a variety of bold and bright colorways.
Best Golf Alignment Sticks: FAQs
Do pros use alignment sticks?
Alignment sticks are one of the best golf training aids because of their versatility and usefulness to players of all abilities from tour pros right down to beginners. Those starting off in the game will benefit from using alignment sticks to ensure they are lined up with their intended target, whereas more competent players may stake them in the ground to promote the swing plane they desire for particular shot shapes.
How many golf alignment sticks do I need?
Even carrying one alignment stick can be useful, particularly if you are working on a specific aspect of your game, such as which way your feet are aligned. A second stick is preferable however, as you can place the other one perpendicular to the first, aimed at the ball, meaning you can dial in a consistent ball position as well as a consistent target line.
Can you use alignment sticks during a round of golf?
Using alignment aids during a competitive round of golf will lead to a two-shot penalty, even if you remove it before you swing. Your club head can touch the ground pointing toward your intended target but setting an alignment stick or other object down as a guide is forbidden. Of course, if you are enjoying a practice round with no one behind you then there is little harm in whipping out the sticks on the course itself.
What drills can you do with alignment sticks?
There are a whole host of drills you can do with alignment sticks that will help improve your swing path, putting stroke, and alignment. Their versatility and ease of use are perhaps their greatest attraction. One of the most common drills is the Train Track drill which involves setting up two parallel sticks, one pointing at your target, and the other running along the toes of your feet.
Subscribe to Today’s Golfer Magazine! In every issue there are exclusive interviews with star players, equipment tests and buying advice, PGA pro tips to you help you shoot lower scores and our highly regarded Top 100 course rankings from around the world.
VIEW SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS
About the author
Ross Tugwood
Golf Equipment Writer
Ross Tugwood is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation. He’s also an expert in golf apparel and has a keen interest in sustainability.
Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.
He has post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.
Ross lives in Snowdonia National Park with his wife and 40 kg Bernese Mountain dog! He is a member of Porthmadog Golf Club with a handicap index of 13.8.
Away from golf, Ross enjoys hiking, trail running, and supporting the mighty Bristol Bears.
Ross uses a Cobra King SZ Speedzone driver, Titleist TSi2 3-Wood, TaylorMade Sim2 Rescue, Callaway Apex Pro irons (4-PW), Cleveland 588 RTX wedges (52°, 58°), TaylorMade Spider Ex putter, and a TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.
-
Best Golf Alignment Sticks
