Alignment on practice mats

Question
A thing that I've always been confused about. For an alignment aid, I should align the club to the LEFT of my target, so that it is parallel, correct? How should I align my mat to the target?

Answer
Hi Jeff:

Picture a line from your ball to the target and extending behind the ball indefinitely.  That line is called your target line.  You align the clubface perpendicular (leading edge) to the target line.  A line across your toes is called your toe line.  That line should be parallel left of the target line.  So once your set up to hit a shot and you are lined up correctly (square), your shoulders, forearms and feet would all be parallel to the target line.  Aligning your mat to the target is moot.  You need to align the clubface square to the target line and you need to make sure your shoulders, forearms and feet are parallel left...that is what we call a square set up and it gives you the best chance to hit it at your target.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member