There are two elements to every putt: line and speed. They’re interrelated, of course, since how hard you hit a putt determines how much it will break.
After reading a putt, choosing a line and taking their stance, golfers will often look directly at the hole, then right back to the ball, repeating this once or twice before stroking it. But why would you look at the hole if you’re playing the putt to break? After all, you aren’t aiming at the cup itself, but at a spot on the green.
What you want is to gain a sense of where and how hard to hit the ball before pulling the putter back.
Here’s a method employed by many pros, including Tiger Woods, as they stand over a putt:
- When reading the break, choose an intermediate point where the ball will begin turning toward the cup (often called the break’s “high point”).
- Imagine a line extending from the break point to a spot level with the hole. This is essentially where you will aim.
- Set up to the ball and align the putter with the spot you’ve chosen next to the cup. Look at this spot, then slowly trace a line with your eyes on the green all the way back to your ball.
- Repeat once or twice, then pull the trigger.
By focusing on the entire, actual line of your putt – not the line from your ball to the hole — you’ll get a better feel for the distance to be covered.
Your mind will integrate this info into the stroke and you’ll make more putts, while the ones you miss will stop consistently closer.
Following the line with your eyes is indeed a valuable technique that can help you make more putts. By aligning your eyes properly and tracking the intended line, you can improve your ability to read the green and accurately strike the ball. Here are some tips to effectively follow the line with your eyes:
- Pre-putt routine: Before addressing the ball, take a moment to read the green and visualize the desired line the ball needs to travel. This mental preparation sets the stage for properly following the line with your eyes.
- Eye alignment: Position your eyes directly over the golf ball or slightly inside the target line. This allows you to have a clear view of the line from the ball to the hole.
- Soft focus: As you address the ball, maintain a soft focus rather than fixating on a single point. This helps you see the entire line and the breaks in the putt. Avoid staring too intensely at any particular spot, as it can limit your perception of the putt's overall path.
- Track the line: As you initiate your putting stroke, keep your eyes focused on the intended line. Imagine a track or a rail extending from the ball to the hole and maintain your gaze along that line. This helps you maintain a consistent stroke path and ensures that your putter face is aligned properly.
- Visualize the ball rolling: Imagine the ball rolling along the line as you stroke it. This visualization can help you anticipate the speed, break, and overall path of the putt. Visualizing success can also boost your confidence and focus.
- Smooth and steady head: While following the line with your eyes, strive to keep your head as still as possible. Excessive head movement can disrupt your visual tracking and affect the consistency of your stroke. Maintain a steady posture and let your eyes guide your putter along the intended line.
- Practice and repetition: Like any other skill in golf, effectively following the line with your eyes requires practice. Spend time on the putting green, working on your alignment, eye focus, and tracking. Develop a consistent routine and practice various putt lengths and green contours to improve your ability to read and follow the line.
By incorporating this technique into your putting routine and practicing regularly, you can enhance your ability to read greens accurately and increase your chances of sinking more putts.
Q: How does following the line with your eyes help in making more putts? A: Following the line with your eyes helps in improving your alignment and visualization of the putt. It allows you to see the intended path and read the break more accurately, leading to better speed control and improved chances of sinking the putt.
Q: What is the correct way to follow the line with your eyes before making a putt? A: To follow the line with your eyes, stand behind the ball and look down the intended putting line from the ball to the hole. Visualize the path the ball will take and any potential breaks in the green. Then, maintain your focus on that line as you step up to address the ball.
Q: How does following the line with your eyes help in reading the green more effectively? A: Following the line with your eyes allows you to observe the slope, undulations, and contours of the green better. By doing so, you can gauge how much the ball will break and adjust your aim and stroke accordingly.
Q: Can following the line with your eyes improve distance control on putts? A: Yes, following the line with your eyes can improve distance control on putts. When you have a clear visualization of the line, you can more accurately judge the speed needed to reach the hole, resulting in better distance control.
Q: How can golfers practice following the line with their eyes during their putting routine? A: Golfers can practice following the line with their eyes during their putting routine by consistently adopting the same pre-putt routine. This can include stepping behind the ball, taking a few practice strokes while looking at the intended line, and then maintaining focus on the line during the actual stroke.
Q: What role does visualization play in following the line with your eyes? A: Visualization is crucial in following the line with your eyes. By visualizing the putt's path and break, you can create a mental image of the desired outcome and reinforce your confidence in making the putt.
Q: How can golfers stay committed to the chosen line during their stroke? A: Staying committed to the chosen line during the stroke requires trust in your read and visualization. Focus on the target and avoid second-guessing your decision once you address the ball.
Q: Can this technique benefit golfers of all skill levels? A: Yes, this technique can benefit golfers of all skill levels. Following the line with your eyes helps improve alignment and reading skills, which are essential for any golfer looking to make more putts.
Q: How can golfers stay relaxed and composed when following the line with their eyes? A: To stay relaxed and composed when following the line with your eyes, take deep breaths and maintain a steady tempo during your pre-putt routine. Avoid over-analyzing and trust your instincts.
Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when using this technique? A: Some common mistakes to avoid when using this technique include rushing the pre-putt routine, looking up too soon during the stroke, and allowing outside distractions to disrupt your focus on the line.
Q: How can golfers integrate this technique into their practice sessions and on-course play? A: Golfers can integrate this technique into their practice sessions by consistently following the line with their eyes during each putt. On the course, make it a habit to take a few seconds to read the putt and visualize the line before every stroke. Over time, this process will become more natural and lead to improved putting performance.
