How can I improve my approach shots? and distance from pin?

i was hitting the greens or close, but if the pin was in the right i would hit left and so on. i finally went to one of those $15 per person group class, and the first thing the pro did was use the sticks to check my alignment, stance and ball position. i was duffing topping for couple of days, and shazam, i was hitting my irons like radar. so i would say check your alignment and your distances.