I agree. Only about 10% of the people I teach align correctly right away. It's one of the first things I look at because it can lead to major problems and can cure simple problems.
Here's some ways to align correctly and check it:
1) Pick out your target in the distance (be very precise....something small like the top of tree, a 150 post, not the entire fairway). This target is where you want the ball to start. If you fade or draw the ball, it is best to pick the target left or right of your target to allow your ball to curve to the middle.
2) Now, once you have your target, draw an imaginary line from your target to your ball. Pick out a point approx. 6-12" in front of the ball to line your club up to. I'm sure many of you do this.
The next points are very important and why people misalign.
3) Step up to the ball and align your clubface to the point 6" in front of the ball, AND have your right foot parallel to the clubface (your left foot will be next to your right, but farther away from the ball by a few inches).
Ok, so now your clubface and right foot are lined up to the target. The next point is crucial to aligning consistently.
4)
While looking at the TARGET, set your left foot and slightly adjust your right foot for the desired width in your stance.
Most golfers stare at the ground when they set their feet. Unless you practice all day long, it's very difficult to line up correctly if your staring at the ground.
Looking at the target initiates our hand-eye coordination. Our feet act like our hands and can adjust to what our eyes see. So it's imperative to use your eyes as much as you can when you're aligning for a shot.
Further, most golfers tend to slice the ball. Alignment is a major factor in that. 99% of the golfers I've seen slice the ball have open shoulders. Our arms have to swing where our shoulders are aiming. Why? Because they're connected. So, if you have your feet aimed correctly and your shoulders are open you will still tend to swing outside to in and slice/pull the ball.
Here's how to check your shoulders (with the help of a fellow golfer):
1) Set up to the ball normally and don't move.
2) Have a friend place a club at the back of your heels (touching both) and have them come around to the front of you (facing you) and hold a club up along your shoulders.
3) Once they're done, they will stay there holding the club up while you step and stand back to look down your target line.
4) What you want to see is both clubs are parallel slightly left of the target (ideally, you would want a line from your ball directly pointing at the target and your feet and shoulders parallel to that line just left of the target). If you're a slicer of the ball, you will most likely notice that your shoulders will be aiming left of your foot line (for righties). If that's the case, you should practice closing your shoulders at address and feeling like they stay closed longer when you swing. This will dramatically help the slice.
I hope that helps all you golfers out there. Feel free to ask me any questions at anytime. Another thing, go easy on the golf magazines. They're made to confuse people so they have to take more golf lessons.
. Good for me though!