Astigmatism and Reading Greens

I'm going to try to write this question without making it sound like an excuse. One of the things holding me back from breaking into the lower 90's is my putting skills. Averaging 2.1 putts per hole right now (which means I rarely 1-putt, 3-putt some, but usually 2-putt on most holes). My distance control is pretty darned good. I rarely send a putt past the hole further than a few feet. On the putts I do sink, they "die" in the hole. So, for me, I think I have a good putting stroke... I just lack the directional instinct.

I think the reason why I suck at putting is because of my visual issues. I have an eye condition called keratoconus (too hard to explain in this forum. If you're interested, look it up on Google). Up until a year ago when I had eye surgery, I was seeing 20/2,150 with about a dozen ghost images from my irregular astigmatism. That's legally blind. Fortunately I have keratoconus in my left eye only. My right eye is doing well. After my surgery in April '08, I was still left with some residual astigmatism. Instead of a dozen ghosts, I now only see three.

You look up at the night sky on a clear night and see 1 moon. I see anywhere from 3 to 6 moons. (See below)



As you can imagine, having horrible vision really messes with your brain. My brain has taught itself to ignore the detailed information it receives from my left eye. Detailed info like distance. My brain still processes the image from my left eye and uses it for things like periforial vision and to see (somewhat) in stereo. But my depth perception is lacking.

So here's my question. Have any of you got a tip for me on how to read greens without good depth perception?

No depth perception with one eye. That means he can't tell how far it is to the hole with one eye (is it 10 feet or 15 feet, can't tell with one eye.) I have a nephew that lost an eye, causes him all kinds of problems (like knocking over stuff on the table.)

I have eye issues as well - I see the line okay from behind the ball but not while standing over it. I could go into my specific medical issues, but let's just say, I often miss my turn when driving in a new residential area - by the time I find the street sign, then attempt to read it - it's too late.

I wonder if the problem I had is similar for your (think it might be similar because I also have blurred vision at night i.e. tail lights on cars, so try to avoid night time journies), may not be but worth a go - I am left handed and suffer very poor astigmatism in my left eye.  3 putting was a regular event for me, until I went to see a coach who concentrated on the compatability of information received by both eyes - unless there is consistency in this respect, its unlikely that you will ever feel confident about the right line (as one eye is kind of contradicting the information from the other)  We all have a leading eye which we tend to 'go to' usually but its difficult if not feeling 100% confident (backed up by corroborating data).

My coach got me to try this:

First you need to determine if your eyes are giving you the same information, and if you wear glasses and suffer from astigmatism this may not be the case, particularly if you don’t wear your glasses on the course - Try this technique:: simple rule is focus on an object and then close both eyes, then open each eye whilst the other is shut. Do this rapidly whilst continuing to focus on the object (a line of text or a heading on the computer screen at eye level (when seeing it with both eyes is best) works well.  Are you seeing the object on the same horizontal plane for both eyes – if not…….

Try tilting your head to the point where your eyes are seeing the object on the same horizontal plane – where your head is tilting is where you should place your ball in your stance for putting – For many people with astigmatism, this compatible focal range lies outside of their stance particularly if you have significant astigmatism in one eye. It’s a common mistake among golfers that they think it should be in the centre, however unless you have correlated compatible data from both eyes you will never be able to putt like a pro!

Try it and see, it may not be your issue but if you do see the object on differnet planes, then have a play around to see where the ball should be in your stance that then gives you the consistency you are looking for.  My compatible focal range is 2.5 inches beyond my left foot.  To compensate  for the adjustment in my stance, I draw this foot back a little to ensure I have a smooth stroke.

Last year, my handicap went from 19.2 to 13.7   and it was all down to my putting - I am now making more birdies and have cut the three putts down from 5 or 6 a round to 1,  or 2 at most.

Give it a go and let me know how you get on - it may be that what works for me is because of the nature of my astigmatism, but the principle remains the same until you have focal compatibility from both eyes when you are viewing a target, the chances are  doubt will still cloud the issue., and that ain't good for reading the right line.

I would be interested in your feedback

Judging by the tag line below your name I'm guessing your putter ?