Eyes and Targeting in Putting

The Eyes

Alignment is obviously a visual process and the correct positioning of the eyes is directly correlated to how successful you are on the putting green. You can develop the most technically sound stroke in the world but if you do not aim correctly your superb technique will never do you any good.

The Positioning of the Eyes

The eyes give you all of your visual feedback as you try to hole a putt across a sloping green. Therefore it is very important that your eyes give you accurate information. Poorly positioned eyes result in false information and your ball will miss the hole. It is vital that you see the correct target line and not a false target line. Look at the following problem.

Imagine the putt is straight. If your eyes are inside the ball you see a target line that is different to the real target line. This creates problems when you aim the putter because you aim the putter as you see the target line and not how it really is. The result is a missed putt. Keep your eyes on the target!

Finding the Correct Target Line

Unless our eyes are positioned directly over the ball we will see a false target line.

I urge you either to buy a putting mirror or design one yourself. It is the most common tool used by tour professionals and is the only device that gives you perfect feedback.

Eye Position Gives Ball Position

Because the eyes are vital in correctly aiming the putter face and the body to the target line the ball position becomes a result of your address position.
Find your correct ball position by first of all setting up your address position and then dropping a ball from directly underneath your left eye (for a right-handed player). Wherever this ball lands is where your ball position should be when you are putting.

Check on Your Eye Position

Use the following routine to ensure correct eye position each time you putt.

1. Find a straight six foot putt on your putting green
2. Put down a small putting mirror on the target line
3. Place a ball in the cut out and take your address position
4. Your left eye should be over the ball and both eyes should be parallel to the target line

You can practise your putting for many hours using this mirror since it allows you to practise from a perfect address position. Therefore any practice is perfect practice and you will be grooving the correct feelings