How a golfer's body and clubface are aimed relative to the target line — feet, hips, and shoulders should sit parallel to it, like the two rails of a railroad track, not pointed at the target itself.

It's the most common fault instructors find and the one players check least, because a misaligned setup can produce a compensating swing path that still starts the ball on line — masking the problem until pressure or a swing change exposes it. Aim the body at the target itself rather than parallel to it and a right-handed player typically ends up aimed right, inviting a path that comes over the top to rescue the shot. A coach or an alignment stick laid on the ground is usually the only way to catch it, since standing over the ball gives almost no reliable feedback on aim.