If you want to hit straighter golf shots, you need to fix your club path. It’s one of the most important factors influencing ball flight—and according to world-renowned coach Mark Blackburn, it doesn’t require a complicated swing overhaul.
In fact, the easiest way to improve your club path happens before you even start your swing.
“It’s quite simple to adjust your club path number at address. When the club’s not moving, it’s the easiest to make an adjustment.”
— Mark Blackburn
Rather than trying to manipulate the club mid-swing, Blackburn teaches golfers to “stack the deck” at setup, making it easier to deliver the club on the correct path naturally.
Here’s how to fix your club path using simple, effective setup adjustments.
1. Adjust Your Ball Position to Influence Club Path
Your ball position plays a major role in determining your club path at impact.
- Ball back in your stance → promotes a positive (in-to-out) club path, often producing a draw
- Ball forward in your stance → promotes a negative (out-to-in) club path, often leading to fades or slices
Why Ball Position Matters - changing ball position shifts where impact occurs along your swing arc:
- Earlier in the arc → more in-to-out path
- Later in the arc → more out-to-in path
Before making swing changes, start here. A small adjustment in ball position can have a big impact on your club path and ball flight.
2. Improve Your Pivot and Body Position
Another key factor in fixing your club path is your pivot and body movement during the backswing.
Many golfers try to stay perfectly centered, which isn’t wrong—but it can unintentionally promote an out-to-in path and a fade.
Blackburn’s Tip for a Better Club Path
To encourage a draw or more neutral path:
- Feel more “turned behind the ball” during your backswing
- Allow a slight shift back in your swing arc
- Create space for the club to approach from the inside
In simple terms: Your body motion influences your club path just as much as your hands and arms.
3. Understand How Attack Angle Affects Club Path
Your attack angle (whether you hit up or down on the ball) is closely connected to your club path.
- More negative attack angle (hitting down) → path tends to shift more right
- More upward attack angle → path tends to shift more left
- Shallow attack angle → can encourage an outside-in path
Why This Matters
You can’t fully separate club path and attack angle—they work together.
If you’re trying to fix your path, you also need to understand how you’re delivering the club vertically.
Stack the Deck Before You Swing
The biggest takeaway from Mark Blackburn’s approach: Don’t wait until the club is moving to fix your swing.
Instead, focus on:
- Ball position
- Pivot and body orientation
- Awareness of attack angle
These are all adjustments you can make at address or during setup, before timing and speed come into play.
When you organize these elements correctly, you make it much easier to produce a consistent, repeatable club path.
Practice with Purpose (and Data)
Understanding your swing is powerful—but measuring it is even better.
Using tools like the Rapsodo MLM2PRO, golfers can track:
- Club path
- Attack angle
- Ball flight data
This allows you to connect setup changes directly to results in real time. Instead of guessing, you can see exactly what’s working and build consistency faster.
Final Thoughts: Build a Repeatable Club Path
Fixing your club path doesn’t have to be complicated. By making small adjustments at setup, you can:
- Reduce slices and pulls
- Promote a draw or straighter shots
- Build a more repeatable swing
When you “stack the deck” before you swing, better ball striking becomes predictable—not accidental.
About Mark Blackburn
Mark Blackburn is one of the most respected golf instructors in the world and has been ranked the #1 Teacher in America by Golf Digest since 2024. He works with PGA TOUR professionals and elite amateurs, combining technology, biomechanics, and data-driven coaching to help players perform at the highest level.
👉 Watch and learn more from Mark Blackburn on fixing your club path:
