Where do you look when putting

[rckwd]

I forgot who on tour changed his putting style from looking at the ball to looking at the hole while putting. I tried that but was unsuccessful in making any improvements but I did change from looking at the ball to looking at a spot just ahead of the ball and have cut a couple of strokes and my consistency is a lot better. I found by not looking at the ball and club my stroke is a lot more fluid.

[wedge player]

I forgot who on tour changed his putting style from looking at the ball to looking at the hole while putting. I tried that but was unsuccessful in making any improvements but I did change from looking at the ball to looking at a spot just ahead of the ball and have cut a couple of strokes and my consistency is a lot better. I found by not looking at the ball and club my stroke is a lot more fluid.

jim thorpe has done it,i look as you said just in front of the ball

[ks8829]

I look at the backswing and the length of my backstroke.

[HotSauce]

I did that when I was younger. My pro at the time did it as a training excercise and I started holing putts. That said, it probably took a month before I was comfortable with it. Come to think of it, I may try and get back into it.

As a basketball player, I was always taught to look at the back of the rim. This is the same kind of thing and for me at least, it keeps me from visually trying to correct my swing which leads to bad muscle movement. I'm far better at just putting a good stroke on the ball. If I stare at the cup, it's pure muscle memory.

Yep....I'm going back to it.

[Tiger Spuds]

I've adopted Phil Mickelson's method and found it pretty good.He sets up with the ball level with the heel of his front foot.This means he's looking at a point just behind the ball and also a little closer to him than the ball.This allows you to look down the line of the putt as you prepare to hit it.As he puts it, 'like a marksman looking down the barrel of a rifle'.

For me, I feel like it gives you a better indication of where the clubface is aimed in relation to the hole.And when I miss these days it's usually by a much smaller margin than it was before I started using this method.

[wmiller]

I look at the hole when I first get on the practice green to get a feel for the speed. My last putts (and those on the course) are made with me looking at the spot where my putter will impact the ball. I keep my vision there even after I've made my stroke, such that on 6-8 footers or in I don't see the ball go in or miss.

I used to have a really bad habit of watching the putter blade...

[GaijinGolfer]

Ive heard of looking at the hole, not the ball while putting and I tried it but never really got the hang of it. It just felt too weird to me
IMO, looking at the ball and focusing on keeping your eyes where the ball was makes it easier to keep your head down through the putting stroke.

[Fore4]

I've tried loads of different ideas over the years but come back
every time to looking at the back of the ball.

I just find that it makes me swing though the ball more consistantly

[groovezilla79]

I've adopted Phil Mickelson's method and found it pretty good.He sets up with the ball level with the heel of his front foot.This means he's looking at a point just behind the ball and also a little closer to him than the ball.This allows you to look down the line of the putt as you prepare to hit it.As he puts it, 'like a marksman looking down the barrel of a rifle'.

I too started using Phil's technique this year. I will stand a little more crouched, the ball a little more forward, then forward press a few inches at the start of the stroke. The forward press has really improved my impact on the putter. All my puts from 6" to 60' all feel solid now. Putting the ball more forward and crouching has seemed to help me make a smother stroke as well as see the line better at address.

[Tiger Spuds]

I too started using Phil's technique this year. I will stand a little more crouched, the ball a little more forward, then forward press a few inches at the start of the stroke. The forward press has really improved my impact on the putter. All my puts from 6" to 60' all feel solid now. Putting the ball more forward and crouching has seemed to help me make a smother stroke as well as see the line better at address.

Yeah, you've probably seen Phil's short game Dvd then?Great isn't it

It has slow motion shots of a putter head impacting the ball and how the ball reacts.The ball rolls straighter and doesn't bounce or skid as much when hit with a putterface that has a loft of in and around 4 degrees, so having the ball forward in your stance and having a small forward press helps provides that loft.

[groovezilla79]

Yeah, you've probably seen Phil's short game Dvd then?Great isn't it

Actually, I haven't watched his DVD.... not sure if I want to because I've been really happy with my short game the last few years. If I watch that video, I know I'll be trying new stuff on the course instead of sticking with what works. I read about his putting style in an issue of Golf Digest earlier this year.

[rckwd]

.... If I watch that video, I know I'll be trying new stuff on the course instead of sticking with what works....

Dont you just hate that...when you see and try something different and it totally messes up your game

[Tiger Spuds]

Actually, I haven't watched his DVD.... not sure if I want to because I've been really happy with my short game the last few years. If I watch that video, I know I'll be trying new stuff on the course instead of sticking with what works. I read about his putting style in an issue of Golf Digest earlier this year.

Good point.Luckily my putting and chipping were so bad before I watched it there was nothing to mess up haha.

[Da Bears]

I look at the ball or just ahead of it. I think I could look just about anywhere and get the same results though. The key is to keep my head still and I might get a two putt out of that three footer. Actually, chipping and putting is probably my strongest suit. I am wicked long off the screws but can't seem to find the middle of the fairway half the time. Maybe I should close my eyes when I drive too.

[rckwd]

I look at the ball or just ahead of it. I think I could look just about anywhere and get the same results though. The key is to keep my head still and I might get a two putt out of that three footer. Actually, chipping and putting is probably my strongest suit. I am wicked long off the screws but can't seem to find the middle of the fairway half the time. Maybe I should close my eyes when I drive too.

Welcome to the board 'Bears...thanks for the input.

[flopdarock]

my putting is a constantly evolving beast... when my flatstick goes cold ill try something new... i too have adopted the phil style of putting...

as for the OP's question... i am as of right now having success at looking at only the ball when i make my stroke and after i hit the ball my eyes continue to look at the spot where my ball used to be... after its gone a few feet... then ill look to see if its going where i intended it to go

[MrKadash]

Up until now I have been a "peeker" when putting, i.e., following the ball as soon as it is struck. In July I started keeping my head down at the spot of impact until a couple seconds after the strike. I haven't necessarily holed more or less putts than I did before, but my consistency when it comes to distance and line is better. I have more confidence in my lag putting and the dreaded 3-footers. To answer the OP, I have always focused on the back of the ball throughout the stroke, and that has not changed since I first took up the game.

[Vance87]

I look down at the ball at address and keep my head there after impact for about a half second.