Eyes Closed Putting

[Koth]

I was having a lot of problems with my weight in putting. I could hit it straight, and read the breaks decently, but I've always been somewhat gun-shy when it came to actually hitting the ball. I didn't want to end up hitting it six feet past the hole and then have a difficult second putt, so I ended up wimping out of a lot of putts and leaving it six feet short, which didn't help anything.

I decided to try putting with my eyes closed to see if I could get better results. I went to the practice green with two balls and just kept putting to each of the holes. I would take a practice swing with my eyes closed, step up to the ball, line myself up, close my eyes, and putt. I realized that my body is a WAY better putter than my mind. I was getting the ball to stop withing a couple of feet of the hole consistently. I manged to get good enough results that I decided to do the same thing on the course.

I've played three rounds since then and my putting has been getting better every round. I still have the odd three-putt, but most of the holes are two-putts or better.

I don't always make good contact with my eyes closed so my goal is to keep letting my body decide the weight of the by taking practice swings with my eyes closed, but then take the real putt with my eyes open to make sure I hit it flush.

I actually really enjoy putting now, rather than being afraid of it.

[mcgriff]

I do something similar. I watch the putter leave the ball to make sure I have a square takeaway. Once I start the downstroke I keep my eyes locked a bit behind the ball. Goal is to have the putter go right back to the starting position. Ignoring the ball helps me as it seems to help you.

[Chubbs]

Try a putting drill by not looking at the ball during your stroke, but instead look at the hole. Your eye perceives the distance and unconsciously sends the signal to your muscles for the correct strength. It's pretty fascinating how well you will judge the distance, especially lag putts.

[saevel25]

What i like to do is put rubber bands on my putter so it leaves a small area for contact in the center of the putter. Then i hit strokes doing that, practicing hitting that spot over and over again.

[The Recreational Golfer]

I did this once (putting with my eyes closed) with the shorties when I went through a phase of missing them like clockwork. I made 'em all. Did it for one round only, didn't want to press my luck.

[mcgriff]

Try a putting drill by not looking at the ball during your stroke, but instead look at the hole. Your eye perceives the distance and unconsciously sends the signal to your muscles for the correct strength. It's pretty fascinating how well you will judge the distance, especially lag putts.

Forgot about this, thanks for bringing it up. Excellent way to improve feel and muscle memory.