The quiet eye

[turtleback]

I've been doing a lot of reading lately about the topic of aiming.  In my case it is in the context of cue sports like pool (I don't play pool, but I DO play 3-cushion billiards).  But I have encountered this concept of the quiet eye which seems to apply to many sports, where aiming is a key element.  Like darts, for example.  And putting.

I'm not sure I really grasp the whole idea, but it seems to be that a quiet eye is one that is able to stay focused on a target without micro-movements, and that research shows that the quieter the eye, the more accurate the aim.  The quiet eye can be a natural ability or it can be cultivated, apparently.

So I was a little surprised when I came here and did a search on quiet eye and came up empty, since putting is one of the activities the quiet eyes folks talk a lot about.  There is stuff out there about the quiet eye and putting, yet it doesn't even seem to have come up as a topic here, although generally I think we hit almost everything that comes up in the golf world.

As an example, here is a link to an article discussing the phenomenon:

http://believeperform.com/performance/i-spy-with-my-quiet-eye-the-quiet-eye-and-its-application-to-skill-acquisition-and-performance/

And another specific to putting:

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/53c4b148-f2f7-11e3-a3f8-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3zseZ1ORG

So, anyone know anything about this?  Anyone ever heard of this?  Anyone ever had quiet eye training?  Is it real?  

[boogielicious]

1 hour ago, turtleback said:

I've been doing a lot of reading lately about the topic of aiming.  In my case it is in the context of cue sports like pool (I don't play pool, but I DO play 3-cushion billiards).  But I have encountered this concept of the quiet eye which seems to apply to many sports, where aiming is a key element.  Like darts, for example.  And putting.

I'm not sure I really grasp the whole idea, but it seems to be that a quiet eye is one that is able to stay focused on a target without micro-movements, and that research shows that the quieter the eye, the more accurate the aim.  The quiet eye can be a natural ability or it can be cultivated, apparently.

So I was a little surprised when I came here and did a search on quiet eye and came up empty, since putting is one of the activities the quiet eyes folks talk a lot about.  There is stuff out there about the quiet eye and putting, yet it doesn't even seem to have come up as a topic here, although generally I think we hit almost everything that comes up in the golf world.

As an example, here is a link to an article discussing the phenomenon:

http://believeperform.com/performance/i-spy-with-my-quiet-eye-the-quiet-eye-and-its-application-to-skill-acquisition-and-performance/

And another specific to putting:

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/53c4b148-f2f7-11e3-a3f8-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3zseZ1ORG

So, anyone know anything about this?  Anyone ever heard of this?  Anyone ever had quiet eye training?  Is it real?  

I saw a special on it on Scientific American Frontiers. Alan Alda was the host and was working with a golf coach on putting. The info is below.

http://www.chedd-angier.com/frontiers/season12.html

1206 - Episode 6 - On the Ball

Release Date:3/19/02 
Watch Episode  |   Download Transcript

A Quiet Eye; Brainy Putting; Baseball Tech; No Limit

I've used it and coached it in soccer for penalty shots. It can be very effect. For soccer, I would have the kids look up at the net on all sides and visualize where the wanted the ball to go. Then when they were ready, they would only look at the ball and never up again.

I do a similar thing for putting. After I take my stance, I never look up again.

[dchoye]

I seen those episodes with Alan Aldo years ago. I think they might have been on PBS.

If I feel like  my eye wanders I tend to look at the line on the ball or the edge of the ball when I am putting rather than looking at the "whole ball"

 It gives me something specific to gaze at and I don't follow the ball right away.

Also I think there are players that look at the aimpoint  spot and not at the ball when putting.

 

 

Edited February 11, 2016 by dchoye

[Patch]

What I understand about the QE scenario is that the longer the fixation on the target by the individual,  the better the aim by the individual. This is probably why it's not discuss in some golf circles, as it could lead to slower play, since it could be used on all shots. 

Yes I am being facitious.............some what.

[boogielicious]

1 hour ago, Patch said:

What I understand about the QE scenario is that the longer the fixation on the target by the individual,  the better the aim by the individual. This is probably why it's not discuss in some golf circles, as it could lead to slower play, since it could be used on all shots. 

Yes I am being facitious.............some what.

You can do your staring when the others in your group are doing there putts or reads. What makes play slow is waiting for everyone to finish before you start your routine.   

I make my read when I first get to the green with AimPoint. 10-15 seconds max. Then I stand behind my ball when others are doing there thing. I already know my AimPoint. I'm looking at it while waiting. That's my stare time. So when it's my turn, I walk up, take my stance and putt. No practice swing. It is much faster and just as accurate. 

[dchoye]

Just an update on putting . Been practicing during the winter months and feel that my eyes naturally tend to move because reading the green, looking for my aim point after straddling my line etc.  I find that if I then move into the ball from low side and after deciding on the line to my aim point    I then "quiet my eye" by focusing on a specific part of the putter like the neck . Not following the putter head or anything like that but just focusing on that spot like a dot on the putter.  This keeps my eye quiet then afterwards I move my eye once my putter passes that spot 

[boogielicious]

7 hours ago, dchoye said:

Just an update on putting . Been practicing during the winter months and feel that my eyes naturally tend to move because reading the green, looking for my aim point after straddling my line etc.  I find that if I then move into the ball from low side and after deciding on the line to my aim point    I then "quiet my eye" by focusing on a specific part of the putter like the neck . Not following the putter head or anything like that but just focusing on that spot like a dot on the putter.  This keeps my eye quiet then afterwards I move my eye once my putter passes that spot 

You can also pick a spot an inch or two ahead of the ball and focus on rolling the ball over that. It is a Dave Stockton technique. It helps quiet things too.

[krupa]

On 2/10/2016 at 0:15 PM, turtleback said:

So, anyone know anything about this?  Anyone ever heard of this?  Anyone ever had quiet eye training?  Is it real?  

I haven't read it in a while, but I believe the book Pleasures of Small Motions by Bob Fancher talks about the concept.  I don't think he uses the term "quiet eye", though.

 

Edited April 6, 2016 by krupa

[billchao]

9 hours ago, boogielicious said:

You can also pick a spot an inch or two ahead of the ball and focus on rolling the ball over that. It is a Dave Stockton technique. It helps quiet things too.

I have to try that. I feel I have a quiet eye, but I'm ball-oriented. What I do now is find my line, pick an intermediate spot and aim my putter at it, then I just look at the ball. I think this leaves me prone to aiming errors because I'm no longer focused on my target before I putt.

The quiet eye concept reminds me of what Hogan said about looking at the ball as he struck it, or Trevino when he said he picked a dimple on the ball to hit. Those guys were talking about the full swing, but I think the mental focus aspect is the same.

[boogielicious]

14 hours ago, billchao said:

I have to try that. I feel I have a quiet eye, but I'm ball-oriented. What I do now is find my line, pick an intermediate spot and aim my putter at it, then I just look at the ball. I think this leaves me prone to aiming errors because I'm no longer focused on my target before I putt.

The quiet eye concept reminds me of what Hogan said about looking at the ball as he struck it, or Trevino when he said he picked a dimple on the ball to hit. Those guys were talking about the full swing, but I think the mental focus aspect is the same.

Remember the Quiet eye is not necessarily about what you stare at before putting. It is about how your brain works. You look at your line and the aim point. Then when you set up, you aim the putter and never look at the hole or line again. The method believes your brain already knows the path the ball will take and where the hole is, so you don't have to look up. You can stare at the ball, a spot in the ground, the putter head. That part doesn't matter.

In soccer, I explained it to the players this way. You look at the whole net and decide where your shot is going. Then you set up for the kick. You don't look up again because your brain already knows where it's going. For free kicks in soccer, the additional advantage is you don't tip off to the keeper where you are going by a last glance.

I think it works for speed to. I rarely take a practice swing before putting. If I do, it is to stay loose when off to the side. I did an experiment a few years back along with quiet eye. For distance control, I did just as well without a practice swing than with. So I decide not to bother anymore.

Visualize it. Trust it. Make the putt.

[billchao]

On 4/7/2016 at 7:39 AM, boogielicious said:

Remember the Quiet eye is not necessarily about what you stare at before putting. It is about how your brain works. You look at your line and the aim point. Then when you set up, you aim the putter and never look at the hole or line again. The method believes your brain already knows the path the ball will take and where the hole is, so you don't have to look up. You can stare at the ball, a spot in the ground, the putter head. That part doesn't matter.

I honestly don't think about much at all when I'm about to putt (or swing, for that matter). After I address the ball, I basically run on autopilot.

[dchoye]

On April 6, 2016 at 5:55 AM, boogielicious said:

You can also pick a spot an inch or two ahead of the ball and focus on rolling the ball over that. It is a Dave Stockton technique. It helps quiet things too.

I tried that I find that works well when coupled  with placing the putter head in front of the ball and then back behind the ball like Stockton does.  I prefer to bounce my putter behind the ball and wherever the shaft is pointed to at the ground I try to keep my eyes focus on that spot. Works really well for short breaking putts in my case