*Really* focusing on a point at the back of the ball!?

[sPinHigh]

I've had a bad golf year so far; not my usual nice tempo and lots of problems with my swing.

Last night at the range I realized I'm just generally "looking at the ball" but not in any particular place. I started really focusing on a single point at the back of the ball where I want to make contact / hit it. And things really started to fall in place again. Very much better contact and much better-feeling shots. This is promising.

How do you look at the ball? Really focused on some spot or just generally eyeing it?

A downside with this new (or refound) way for me is that it is harder for my eyes to really focus on such a tiny point that it can sometimes feel dizzying. Similar experiences or ways to coping with it?

[JtotheD]

I personally just look at the ball in general, no specific spot on it. I try to concentrate on three swing thoughts and hit it. Too much activity in your brain pre-shot can only lead to problems, IMO. Trust you have engrained a good swing into your memory and let your big muscles do the work, otherwise you can get to "handsy"

The only time I look at something other than the ball would be from the sand. I focus on a spot 6" behind the ball to strike.

In addition, if this method of looking at an exact spot works for you, by all means keep doing it and don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise.

[Q.Q.Quillume]

*Really* focusing on a point at the back of the ball!?

No.

[WhiteSoxFan]

I don't focus on any one spot, just on the ball in general.

[Chris36]

I've been focusing on the ball but seem to find myself get better shots by not focusing on the ball at all.

[Mhinderaker]

For short irons and wedges I focus on a point 3-4 inches in front of the ball.

Works wonders if you have trouble hitting down.

[pweenie]

Interesting question.
I agree with Mhinderaker - a spot in fromt of the ball is particularly good and definitely aids spin.
I try not to concentrate on the ball too much otherwise I find I am trying to hit it instead of simply allowing it to get in the way of the club as I play the stroke.

[lamebums]

I've had a bad golf year so far; not my usual nice tempo and lots of problems with my swing.

I focus on the logo, or some other identifying mark.

[J_Bone]

I look at the back edge of the ball because that's where I want to hit it.

[iacas]

I "fuzzy focus" on the general area. I don't even really see the ball. I'm just kind of looking in that general direction.

[$2 Nassau]

Never really thought about it, I guess I just look down at it. Hell, that's all I need, one more thing to think about.

[sonicblue]

My amateur opinion is that, focusing on the ball so intently tended to reduce extraneous "swing" motion. I had a similar experience, not so much on picking a point on the ball, per se, but worrying much more about simply contacting the ball, with a square clubface, with proper approach angle/trajectory. I found that I worried much less about generating power or speed in my swing, and the improved contact still let me hit it the distance I needed.

[$2 Nassau]

My amateur opinion is that, focusing on the ball so intently tended to reduce extraneous "swing" motion. I had a similar experience, not so much on picking a point on the ball, per se, but worrying much more about simply contacting the ball, with a square clubface, with proper approach angle/trajectory. I found that I worried much less about generating power or speed in my swing, and the improved contact still let me hit it the distance I needed.

Interesting.

For me, I think it would only cause tension. Concentrating on swing speed and acceleration actually helps me to square the clubface. Just shows that different things work for different people.

[sboardz006]

I focus on the back of the ball on my iron shots. For my driver I focus on the front of it.

[Guest]

I tend to have issues when I focus onto a point before/during a swing.. very similar to when I overthink a shot. I look at the ball (as it's my target), but focus on the feel of a good, crisp shot.

It's amazing how a positive thought has so much to do with the result of a shot! I guess that's why we all love this game!

[Finn07]

I really dont even focus on it, its kind of "blurry" I guess you could say.