Putting - Not looking at the Hole. Closing the eyes or not following ball to the hole.

[dchoye]

Gary Player says that when he won tournaments without ever looking at the ball go into the ball. He purposely kept in eyes from following the ball , just listen for the ball drop into the cup.

Some PGA players have played a whole round putting with their eyes closed.

How important is it to look at the hole after setting up?

[joekelly]

Seems to me that there is only one important thing in putting.  Did the ball reach the target? From 3, 6. 10 feet i would say the target must be the hole.  From 45 feet out, the target may be within a foot of the hole.  How you personally can do that is your business.  Beyond the rules relating to type of club or stance you are free to do as you like  Yes, some players look only at the hole, others look only at the ball. And as you say, some go eyes closed.

[MS256]

Gary Player says that when he won tournaments without ever looking at the ball go into the ball. He purposely kept in eyes from following the ball , just listen for the ball drop into the cup.

Some PGA players have played a whole round putting with their eyes closed.

How important is it to look at the hole after setting up?

The last time I look at the hole is when I am standing behind my ball finding an intermediate spot on my intended start line.

The distance/speed part of the putt is compartmentalized in my mind at that point. Once I go forward and address the ball I am only thinking about starting the ball on my line.

Logically, when I think about my approach to putting it seems like it would be very hard to have good distance control, but that's not the case for me at all for some reason that I can't explain.

[inthecup]

On 5 foot or less I don't look. It keeps me from moving my head.