Where are you looking....

[BallStriker]

I have to admit that the first thing that popped into my head when reading this thread is "HOW can anyone look at anything BUT the golf ball when swinging?"

I was amazed that people looked in front of the ball or didn't focus on the ball....crazy....so, I tried focussing on a spot in front of the ball last night and took a couple swings....I actually hit the ball pretty damn solid (but I was hitting everything well last night).....I don't know if I could get used to it, but it sure seemed to work fine...

Crazy...

[shortstop20]

Blind people play golf, what do you need to watch the ball for?

[Shanks A Million]

You shouldn't have to look at anything. It's all compensation. With a perfect swing, we would merely hit the ball without thought. You want the ball to just happen to be in the right place, which is why setup is so important. When we tend to focus on the ball, we're swinging at the ball, not through it as is proper. I'm always trying to swing the club on a path, not strike the ball.

I would say to practice with your eyes closed if anything.

[anthony]

Good point Shanks.

[saevel25]

I think it was Jack N. who said it once, the ball just happens to be in the way of the club.

[SpringBokVol]

I really must be strange, because after reading these comments you will all get a kick out of mine...

I set my ball up so I can read the number - so if I am playing a No. 3 ball I will stare at the 3 and sometimes I will even say the number out loud as I make contact.

[sean_miller]

I really must be strange, because after reading these comments you will all get a kick out of mine...

How do you hit a ball from the fairway or the rough?

[Felenah]

I don't focus on anything solid, just thinking of swing tempo and I imagine making good contact.

[SpringBokVol]

How do you hit a ball from the fairway or the rough?

Great point... never thought about that as I just do this for my drives.

Iron's I just set up and swing - concentrate on the flight. And on putting I focus on the line and use a tempo meter of 1-2 in my head.

[Dad-2-3]

I read this thread last night and thought to myself that this sounded like the old "do you inhale or exhale on your backswing?" question some have asked their opponent during match play to throw them off. I thought for sure that when I got to the course this morning I would be shanking it all over the place thinking about this thread. I shanked it all over the place, but it wasn't because of this thread. I had forgotten all about it thank goodness, or it probably would've been even worse.

I look at the ball, but I focus on the target and making a smooth swing to move my ball to the target.

[shortstop20]

so if I am playing a No. 3 ball I will stare at the 3 and sometimes I will even say the number out loud as I make contact.

No offense, but I bet the older players, Nicklaus, Trevino, etc. probably think today's golfer are just nuts. All of these weird swing thoughts, actions, superstitions, etc.

[miles2go]

I concentrate on the inside corner of the ball where it meets the grass. Trying to hit that spot reminds me to keep my elbows in tight and lessens the chance of shanks and my dreaded over the top move.

[bigoak]

I align with a selected spot in front of ball. I put the club behind the ball in line with the spot. from this point I never look up at the target. My intent is to move the head through the ball as if it was a smoke cloud and in line with my spot. works for me and gets me away from the :hit: mentality and into the swing mentality.