There's some truth to what rsvman said, but at the same time I guess if you're consistent enough to get the ball going exactly over the intermediate target a few feet in front of you - that works too.

All I know is this: the black and white barber poles in the middle of the fairway at 150 yards (on some courses) - I'm most always hitting more fairways when those things are there. Focusing on a positive target generally equals less focus spent on the negative target you wish to avoid.

I cannot pick a target in front of the ball on full shots, it just feels unnatural and I cannot align to it.....I pick a distant target,that is typically higher up, and take my stance to it. Clubface is generally square, unless I'm trying to hit a draw or fade, then it it is open or closed but generally is always pointed at target unless I really need to curve the ball. When Chipping and putting, I do pick an intermediate target and align to it, and block out the hole. So on shorter shots that method works, but not on longer shots as my swing is drastically different vs. A putting, chipping, pitching motion.

I have done this for years. I guess I heard Nicklaus say this at sometime back in the 70's because I have been picking a spot in front of the ball since that time. It is easy for me I just walk behind the ball before hitting it. Pick a spot to hit the ball and then look at the grass in front of the ball, walk into the setup aiming over that spot.

I use both a distant target and something a few feet ahead of the ball - when I've decided on the type of shot I want to play and the club to use, I stand behind the ball and pick something small in the distance on the line that I want to start the ball on (a tree trunk, the edge of a bunker, a window in a house alongside the course...), then find something just ahead of the ball on that line, then set up for the shot, using the nearby spot to get me lined up, then looking up to check I'm lined up with the distant target. (This sounds complicated, but it's fairly quick and straightforward because it's routine for me.)

Aligning the clubface to an intermediate spot in front of the the ball, followed by feet and shoulders parallel to the clubface doesn't work for players with swing flaws. To compensate, players will instinctively put themselves in a position, aligned left or right, which will get the ball to the intended target.

    The bigger question, it would seem, is "where does your ball go after that 'perfect' alignment??" 😉

      I aim overe there somwhere

      Par4QC Or, would it not be more important to understand how - more than where? Perhaps returning to a more civil discussion?

          Par4QC

          I thought so. Somebody looking for a reason to be angry and pick a fight.

            I do the Nicklaus thing sometimes. Reminds me of another thing I've heard of but never tried is if you want to hit the ball higher, focus on a spot higher in the distance, say a cloud or something,a tower whatever. Guys say it works but I never remember to try it.

            Par4QC No, no - I'm misunderstood (my lack of clarity). The civility comment is in reference to another thread (the Kirkland balls).
            With regard to alignment and aim, I'm just actually agreeing about 'where the ball goes' after alignment and looking to add more information in assessing, how - the ball flight, the divot give us feedback from which to learn.

              If you try to align your body while you are set up to the ball you have to turn your head. This causes an optical illusion. The interim tat - drawing an imaginary line from your tgt back to the ball while you are behind your ball will be very accurate. The interim get a few feet in front of your ball serves to have your club face aimed directly down the sign. Step into the dress and align yourself based on where the club face is aligned. You will be aligned pretty well.

              I didn't know it was a Nicklaus method, but I've been doing it this way for a long time now. Picking a target from behind the ball, use the shaft of the club to align it with 'something' a few feet in front of the ball, stepping around and aligning my clubhead to that target, then taking my stance based upon that clubhead alignment.

              This does not mean I'm focused on the interim target after that though - as some people think. Once I've correctly aligned the head and taken my stance, my focus is once again on the true target. I take a little waggle and swing away.

              I recall playing a round with a "Lefty9155" and a gentleman named "gwog". I had actually hit a decent tee shot and followed it with another decent approach, just on the right side of the green. However, this "gwog" dude had taken several still photos of the shot, from behind and then we reviewed the set-up, aim, and result. I had actually set up to the far right edge of the green. Unconsciously, I compensated and hit a very nice draw (without knowledge or intent) right onto the green.

              It was a great illustration of the discussion in this thread!

              Incidentally, as a road to better scores, I am focusing on improving my greens in regulation. In order to do that, I am trying to aim for the center of every green.

              HOWEVER, the "center of the green" is really way too nebulous a target for my mind to latch onto. So, I look to see where the center of the green is, and then I focus on a very specific target that is distant to the green; like a tree trunk or the fireplace of a house. The more specific the target is, the better it works, at least for me.

              5 days later

              I once played a round in SC at Lockwood Folly while on vacation with my son-in-law. They had center fairway 150-yard pole markers. Aimed at them...and played well. The strategy works.